Introduction 

The distinction between quantitative and qualitative research is very general, abstract as well as its value is usually taken for granted. Many such research techniques show the clear distinction between quantitative and qualitative research and its popularity risks leads to unfortunate consequences. Various arguments are raised regarding these two methods, and there are some distinct ways of making the distinction between the two, and the results are always unsatisfactory (Afidep.org, 2017). The uses of these research method distinctions create confusion as well as increase the unnecessary work tension. The qualitative approach allows to do the measurement of several subjects’ reactions to a set of questions as there are a limited set of answers, and the result will be analyzed and compared by using the statistical approach, whereas, the qualitative approach provides the context against which to understand those consequences more fully. The method provides the texture of real life in its new variations; it proves those feelings that will help to motivate people to take some actions. There are several sets of examples that are distinguished under quantitative and qualitative research methodologies as they contain standardized information by asking the question to a different set of people and noting down the responses. In this report, a detailed analysis will be done where various aspects of both the research techniques will be discussed, and some new context will be provided regarding examples as well as methods. 

Difference between the quantitative and qualitative research

Qualitative research method

The qualitative methodology is considered one of the primarily exploratory research approaches that are often used to understand the opinions, underlying reasons, and motivations. The plan or research method provides insights into the issues or helps to generate more ideas or hypotheses for the potential research. There are many such examples in real life that can quickly enhance the knowledge about this methodology in a better way. Qualitative research is commonly used for uncovering the trends in opinions as well as thoughts, which will dive deeper into the problem (Afidep.org, 2017). The qualitative data collection approach varies using semi-structured or unstructured techniques. Some of the familiar methods include the focus group discussion, in-depth interviews, participant observation as well as key informant interviews. Particularly in this approach, the sample size is very small, and the respondents are selected based on their views to fulfill a given quota. 

In general terms, the qualitative approach mainly asks two questions “how” and “why”. It always needs the depth of understanding and studies motivation. The analyses are highly subjective, actually purely subjective, and enable discovery. The approach is exploratory and relevantly interprets the data. There is no need for statistical tests that can be reliable, and valid-mainly depends on the skills as well as the rigor of the researchers. The process is less generalized and includes depth of information on a few cases (Simplypsychology.org, 2017). 

Example: Regarding objective- Yes, I have a desktop. 

Regarding the subjective-I think the computers or desktops are costly. 

Quantitative research

The quantitative approach is primarily used to quantify the issues by way of generating numerical data or by the process of transferring the data into usable statistics. The process is sorted and used to quantify the behaviors, opinions, attitudes as well as some other defined variables, and then generalize the results from the given sample population. The methodology uses measurable data to formulate the facts and figures, and to uncover the patterns in the sequence of research. The data collection methods of the quantitative approach are much more structured than the qualitative methods of data collection (Afidep.org, 2017). It consists of the interviews, longitudinal studies, website interceptors, telephone conversion or discussions through telephones, face-to-face interviews, systematic observation as well as online polls. The process is number-based and statistical tests are used for the analysis process. The approach is valid as well as reliable-mainly depends on the instruments devices or instruments. The quantitative methods are less flexible as compared to the qualitative approach. 

Example: Regarding the objective-The chip speed of my system is 3 GHz.

Regarding the subjective- According to the scale rating, my system scores eight regarding its ease of use and responses.  

Methods commonly used in qualitative research 

Five methods are used in the qualitative data collection techniques, which are ethnography, narrative, phenomenological theory, cases study, and grounded theory. While these five methods use a similar data collection methodology that includes the observation, reviewing of texts as well as interviews (human-kinetics, 2017). The purpose of this study is to classify the differences between the methods and to find out the usability. There are several numbers of methods used to explore the purpose as well as nature of the qualitative research, but, out of those, there are some commonly used research techniques, which are the interviews and the focus group. These two techniques are nowadays used in almost all sectors as the results from these two approaches are relevant and impressive. 

Compare the Uses and limitations of two different methodologies

Interviews 

Out of various methodologies, two approaches are familiar and give the relevant results- Interviews and focus groups. There are three types of research interviews-structured, semi-structured as well as unstructured. The structured interviews are always essential, administrative questionnaires and verbal, in which some pre-determined questions are asked. The limitation of this approach is that there is no more variation as well as no scope for the follow-up of the questions shortly as it doesn’t elaborate the discussion further. It is relatively quick and easy to administrate, and some clarification is required for the respondents and numeracy problems (Measuringu.com, 2017). There are limited participants in this approach as depth is needed on questions.  The answers from the structured interviews lack details as only the closed questions are asked which mainly generates the quantitative data. The researcher will not know why a person behaves in a certain manner. 

In the case of the unstructured interviews, it doesn’t need to reflect any preconceived theories or methods and is mainly performed with less or no organization. In this approach, the interviews are arranged or start with some simple questions, for example, “can you tell me about your experience of visiting the temple?”, and, the progress is made based on the response. The limitation of this approach is that it is difficult to manage as it very much time to consume and provides less guidance (Gill et al., 2017). Therefore, it is only considered when significant ‘depth’ is considered or required, nothing related to the subject area. The employment and the training of the interviewers are expensive, and not cheap as the questionnaires. For example, certain types of skills may not be required by the interviewer, so this includes establishing rapport as well as knowing when to probe (human-kinetics, 2017). 

In the semi-structured interviews, various key questions help to define the areas which are required to be explored, as well as allow the interviewer or the interviewee to diverge, even in the case to pursue an idea in more detail. The format of the interview is frequently used in healthcare. It is useful in the case of health sectors as it provides detailed information as well as guidance on what to talk about, which many people find helpful. 

Group focus

In the case of the focus groups, there is always sharing of standard features along with the less structured interviews, but it also includes the collection of the information or data from many participants at once. It is a type of group discussion on a particular topic for research purposes. The debate is monitored, guided as well as recorded by the researchers. The methodology was initially used by the market researchers who originated in the early 1940s. Focus groups always help in generating the data on collective views, and the real meaning lies behind those beliefs (Measuringu.com, 2017). The limitations of this approach are, that these are compared to the individual interviews, and therefore these are not so convenient in covering the maximum depth on some particular issues. One of the most common limitations of this method is that members may not express their honest as well as personal opinions about the topic that has been raised within the group.  

Conclusion

Quantitative and qualitative research is considered the primary methods of data collection and has the utility based on some issues. The Quantitative research methodologies are based on the hard facts that are mainly arguably objective. The approach is driven by graphics, charts, and statistics as well as by numbers. But, in the case of the qualitative procedures, it is difficult to quantify the results in figures. The approach is based on surveys, case studies, and testimonials and there are chances that these can often be disputed. There is a need for Quantitative and qualitative researchers in various sectors. The quantitative methods are more appealing to the hard science theories, whereas, the qualitative methods are more appealing to the social science methodologies. The mixture of these two would be more effective for the managers as well as for the leaders of the particular firm. These methods will enhance the systems in a better way and employing a mixture of Quantitative and qualitative methods will bring new changes. 

References

Afidep.org. (2017). Handout on Qualitative and Quantitative methods and data. [online] Available at: https://www.afidep.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Module-3-Handout-2-Quantitative-Qualitative.pdf [Accessed 5 Dec. 2017].

Gill, P., Stewart, K., Treasure, E. and Chadwick, B. (2017). Methods of data collection in qualitative research: interviews and focus groups. [online] Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/bdj.2008.192 [Accessed 5 Dec. 2017].

human-kinetics. (2017). Explore four methods for collecting qualitative research. [online] Available at: http://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/excerpts/explore-four-methods-for-collecting-qualitative-research [Accessed 5 Dec. 2017].

Measuringu.com. (2017). MeasuringU: 5 Types of Qualitative Methods. [online] Available at: https://measuringu.com/qual-methods/ [Accessed 5 Dec. 2017].

Mack, N., Woodsong, C., MacQueen, K.M., Guest, G. and Namey, E., 2005. Qualitative research methods: a data collectors field guide.

Simplypsychology.org. (2017). Structured and Unstructured Interviews | Simply Psychology. [online] Available at: https://www.simplypsychology.org/interviews.html [Accessed 5 Dec. 2017].