Difference between Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis

 

Though both qualitative and quantitative research approaches are implied to seek new knowledge, yet the selection of the right approach needs more specific justifications. Consider two research topics:

Establishment of the best change management model for the cosmetic market of the South Africa to revive revenues in the post-COVID business initiatives.

OR

Evaluate the effectiveness of Lewin's change management model to gain profitable margins in the post-COVID cosmetic market of South Africa.

The first topic will follow a qualitative approach, but the second topic will follow a quantitative approach.

You need to pick a qualitative research approach if your research target is to understand and establish a critical school of thought, concept, or experience. The exemplified first topic is inclined to establish a model to revive revenues, and so the qualitative approach.

On the other hand, the second topic is evaluating and testing Lewin's change management model. Thus, for testing a pre-established idea or practice in a new context, you must apply a quantitative research approach.

Note that while meeting the research objectives, your selection gets determined as per the following features:

Thus, on an in-depth note, the qualitative analysis remains least tangible than the quantitative analysis. Qualitative is a more subjective analysis, whereas quantitative is data-driven Statistical analysis.

In this article, you will gain the in-core insight into the differences between the qualitative analysis and its counterpart- the quantitative analysis.

1. Differences by Definition

The use of qualitative analysis of any collected data is marked as per the participants, humane properties, values and attributes.

On the other hand, quantitative analysis of any collected data is marked as per the computable statistical values and calculations.

From this definition, it is clear that qualitative analysis is humanitarian in its approach, whereas quantitative analysis is determined as per numerical calculations.

1.1 Qualitative analysis: Purpose

As you initiate the research process, try to identify the purpose of your research. If your research is seeking knowledge for an unexplored and abstract domain of society then you need to consider qualitative analysis.

1.2 Quantitative analysis: Purpose

The selection of quantitative research needs hands-on knowledge on statistical calculations for making future predictions. If your research is seeking specific and restricted derivations, then test the hypotheses under statistical analytical calculations.

2. Methodology for Research

The approach of research methodology under qualitative analysis is exploratory. The term exploratory means that the process of analysis aims to attain deeper knowledge about the identified concern of the research. This aim is framed in terms of possibilities of creating a theoretical or phenomenal structure for future usage. As such the research question for qualitative research concentrates on finding ‘Why’ or ‘How’ about the selected issue or concern.

2.1 Qualitative Questions as Examples:

For example, the qualitative questions can be:

• With increasing counts of environmental policies, how can GCC countries continue to collect revenue from their fossil fuels?
• Why there are minimal initiatives taken by companies for considering Meta as the new model of e-commerce?

The quantitative analysing considered in research methodology remains very precise and conclusive. As it gets represented numerically, the specifications are supported by statistical derivations rather than seeking reasons which lie behind the results. As such the research question for quantitative research concentrates on answering ‘What’ ‘Where’, or ‘When’ about the selected issue or concern.

2.2 Quantitative Questions as Examples:

For example, the quantitative questions can be:

• What policy changes should be considered by GCC countries to maintain their geopolitical status in response to climate change?
• With aggressive marketing and operational strategies, when can Mark Zuckerberg expect to gain profitable momentum for Meta?
• In the global marketing scenario for digital marketing, where are the revival possibilities for Marks & Spencer?

3. Collection of Data

Data to be collected for any qualitative analysis is relevantly smaller than the quantitative data. For instance, the qualitative data from interview sessions get limited to 5 to 15 participants, whereas in the case of quantitative data collection, the questionnaire survey can be considered for 200 to 300 participants.

This significant difference makes qualitative analysis a result of unstructured and unrepresentative data. However, the quantitative analysis gets recognised for being representative of a larger sampling.

3.1 Qualitative Data Collection Methods as Examples

To collect data in a qualitative research approach, the researcher can consider different methods. For example:

• Open-ended structured/semi-structured Interviews
• Focus-group discussions with a single question
• Personal observations of the behaviour of the selected subject

3.2 Quantitative Data Collection Methods as Examples

To collect data in a quantitative research approach, the researcher can consider different methods. For example:

• Close-ended questions on Likert-scale for Questionnaire survey
• Records collected from a series of experiments
• Regular observations and collections of measurements

4. Research-based Results

Research-based results from the qualitative analysis are more related to the selected participants or the objects. These are usually not made applicable to the generalised population of the respective case.  

As for the research-based results attained from the quantitative analysis, the implications can be considered for a larger general population.

Conclusively, qualitative analysis is about gaining in-depth knowledge about socio-cultural contexts, whereas quantitative analysis quantifies or rather tests the noted hypotheses to make future possibilities.

Other related topics

1. Experimental Design- are you asking the right questions

2. Common Mistakes Non-Native English Speakers Make – Part 1: Spelling and punctuation

3. The 7 common mistakes first time publishers make

4. How to write your thesis?

5. What would a PhD graduate advise a new PhD student?

6. How to structure a dissertation?

7. Guide on Checking and Correcting Academic References Effectively and Efficiently

8. What Editors Look For In a Good Manuscript?

9. Difference between proofreading and editing

 

By Thesis Doctor

Follow Us on: Website  Facebook Page Instagram YouTube Channel 

Contact Us:  Skype call or Chat  WhatsApp BisApt