Qualitative research methods are dissimilar in many aspects from quantitative research methods; nevertheless, they can lead to in-depth understanding of research topics. There are five steps to gathering data for both qualitative and quantitative research, both research types are comparable but not identical in the ways they use the steps. The types of data collected are different between qualitative and quantitative research methods. Finally the way the data is presented is different between the two types of research. A small experiment involving the children’s game of Tic Tac-Toe lends itself to qualitative research more than quantitative research because the reaction of the participant is more than numbers, it includes expressions of
…show more content…
Those steps include sampling, where quantitative research makes its sampling a random as possible when choosing participants, qualitative research uses purposeful sampling to ensure that data on a given topic is found there are many specific types of purposeful sampling including sampling based on changes in one trait amongst participants, looking at cases or participants who are extreme in the trait the researcher is meant to study, conversely looking at participants who are typical in the trait, choosing to look at a group to prove a theory, choosing a group based on their subset of traits in a study, choosing a group of participants based on events that are taking place, or asking other participants to suggest new participants during a study are all valid ways to sample with purpose. The difference between quantitative and qualitative research methods can also be seen in the size of the samples taken, where quantitative research uses larger sample sizes, qualitative research uses very few participants to obtain the data needed. Both research methods need to gain permission to …show more content…
Quantitative research has the benefit of statistical computer programs to put the results into spread sheets for interpretation. Qualitative is more involved, the different data types need to be grouped together, for example all interviews belong together for analysis. If the data is in the form of auto tape it needs to be transcribed into a text format. The data can be analyzed by a computer or by hand, the research will have to read the data several times, making notes, and dividing the information into parts. Creswell states that “analyzing a small data base… fewer than 500 pages of transcripts or field notes” (Creswell. 2015, p.239) analyzing the data by hand may be preferred. When the data becomes greater than 500 pages of transcripts and field notes it may be better to have a computer program take over the analysis. Data must be explored and coded before it is interpreted, according to Creswell exploring the data consists of reading through the information to get a “general sense of the data, memoing ideas, thinking about the organization of the data, and considering whether you need more data (Creswell. 2015, p. 242). Coding the data involves grouping like information together to provide evidence of the themes. The coding should support the themes by answer the research question, this occurs with details and specifics, not overgeneralizations. Some of the themes that occur in the data
Those steps include sampling, where quantitative research makes its sampling a random as possible when choosing participants, qualitative research uses purposeful sampling to ensure that data on a given topic is found there are many specific types of purposeful sampling including sampling based on changes in one trait amongst participants, looking at cases or participants who are extreme in the trait the researcher is meant to study, conversely looking at participants who are typical in the trait, choosing to look at a group to prove a theory, choosing a group based on their subset of traits in a study, choosing a group of participants based on events that are taking place, or asking other participants to suggest new participants during a study are all valid ways to sample with purpose. The difference between quantitative and qualitative research methods can also be seen in the size of the samples taken, where quantitative research uses larger sample sizes, qualitative research uses very few participants to obtain the data needed. Both research methods need to gain permission to …show more content…
Quantitative research has the benefit of statistical computer programs to put the results into spread sheets for interpretation. Qualitative is more involved, the different data types need to be grouped together, for example all interviews belong together for analysis. If the data is in the form of auto tape it needs to be transcribed into a text format. The data can be analyzed by a computer or by hand, the research will have to read the data several times, making notes, and dividing the information into parts. Creswell states that “analyzing a small data base… fewer than 500 pages of transcripts or field notes” (Creswell. 2015, p.239) analyzing the data by hand may be preferred. When the data becomes greater than 500 pages of transcripts and field notes it may be better to have a computer program take over the analysis. Data must be explored and coded before it is interpreted, according to Creswell exploring the data consists of reading through the information to get a “general sense of the data, memoing ideas, thinking about the organization of the data, and considering whether you need more data (Creswell. 2015, p. 242). Coding the data involves grouping like information together to provide evidence of the themes. The coding should support the themes by answer the research question, this occurs with details and specifics, not overgeneralizations. Some of the themes that occur in the data