Qualitative and Quantitative Research - Docx23

KADUNA STATE UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF CONTINUE EDUCATION (SCE)

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE
DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
ASSIGNMENT ON
COURSE TITTLE: RESEARCH METHOD I

COURSE CODE: ILSCE 401
SUBMITTED BY
NAME: MATRIC NO:

HAMISU MUHAMMAD KASU/SCE/20/IRL/2026
SUBMITTED TO
DR. SANI SANI IBRAHIM
JULY, 2024
INTRODUCTION
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
Quantitative Research options have been predetermined and a large number of respondents are
involved. By definition, measurement must be objective, quantitative and statistically valid.
Simply put, it’s about numbers, objective hard data. The sample size for a survey is calculated by
statisticians using formulas to determine how large a sample size will be needed from a given
population in order to achieve findings with an acceptable degree of accuracy. Generally,
researchers seek sample sizes which yield findings with at least a 95% confidence interval
(which means that if you repeat the survey 100 times, 95 times out of a hundred, you would get
the same response), plus/minus a margin error of 5 percentage points. Many surveys are designed
to produce a smaller margin of error (Bell, 2006).
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
Qualitative Research is collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data by observing what people do
and say. Whereas, quantitative research refers to counts and measures of things, qualitative
research refers to the meanings, concepts, definitions, characteristics, metaphors, symbols, and
descriptions of things. Qualitative research is much more subjective than quantitative research
and uses very different methods of collecting information, mainly individual, in-depth interviews
and focus groups (Briggs, 2006). The nature of this type of research is exploratory and open-
ended. Small numbers of people are interviewed in-depth and/or a relatively small number of
focus groups are conducted. Participants are asked to respond to general questions and the
interviewer or group moderator probes and explores their responses to identify and define
people’s perceptions, opinions and feelings about the topic or idea being discussed and to
determine the degree of agreement that exists in the group. The quality of the finding from
qualitative research is directly dependent upon the skills, experience and sensitive of the
interviewer or group moderator. This type of research is often less costly than surveys and is
extremely effective in acquiring information about people’s communications needs and their
responses to and views about specific communications (Creswell, 2007).
What is the Difference between Qualitative Research and Quantitative Research?
So what is the difference between Qualitative Research and Quantitative Research?
Qualitative Research is primarily exploratory research. It is used to gain an understanding of

underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations. It provides insights into the problem or helps to
develop ideas or hypotheses for potential quantitative research. Qualitative Research is also used
to uncover trends in thought and opinions, and dive deeper into the problem (Mehl, 2000).
Qualitative data collection methods vary using unstructured or semi-structured techniques. Some
common methods include focus groups (group discussions), individual interviews, and
participation/observations. The sample size is typically small, and respondents are selected to
fulfill a given quota.
Quantitative Research is used to quantify the problem by way of generating numerical data or
data that can be transformed into useable statistics. It is used to quantify attitudes, opinions,
behaviors, and other defined variables – and generalize results from a larger sample population.
Quantitative Research uses measurable data to formulate facts and uncover patterns in research.
Quantitative data collection methods are much more structured than Qualitative data collection
methods. Quantitative data collection methods include various forms of surveys – online surveys,
paper surveys, mobile surveys and kiosk surveys, face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews,
longitudinal studies, website interceptors, online polls, and systematic observations (Jandagh,
2010).
CONCLUSION
In general, qualitative research generates rich, detailed and valid (process) data that contribute to
in-depth understanding of the context. Quantitative research generates reliable population based
and generalizable data and is well suited to establishing cause-and-effect relationships. The
decision of whether to choose a quantitative or a qualitative design is a philosophical question.
Which methods to choose will depend on the nature of the project, the type of information
needed the context of the study and the availability of recourses (time, money, and human). It is
important to keep in mind that these are two different philosophers, not necessarily polar
opposites. In fact, elements of both designs can be used together in mixed-methods studies
(Madison, 2005).
REFERENCES
American Education Research Association (2006). Standards for Reporting on Empirical Social
Science Research in AERA publications.
Available: http://www: aera.net/opportunities/?id, 480 [Accessed 6 February 2007].
Bell Vicki (2006). The Cochrane Qualitative Methods Group. Available:
http://www.lancs.ac.uk/fass/ihr/research/publich/cochrane.htm Briggs Joanna (2006).
Cochrane Qualitative Research Methods Group. The Cochrane Collaboration, Available:
http://www.joannabriggs.eduau/cqrmg/role.html Burns N and Grove SK (2005).
The Practice of Nursing Research: Conduct, Critique, and Utilization, 5th edition (St. Louis,
Elsevier Saunders).

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KADUNA STATE UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF CONTINUE EDUCATION (SCE)

COURSE TITTLE: RESEARCH METHOD I

NAME: MATRIC NO:

Qualitative Research is primarily exploratory research. It is used to gain an understanding of

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