Quantitative vs. Qualitative
Difference between Quantitative and Qualitative: – When conducting a research report, it is very important to understand and clearly understand many of the concepts that should be used, especially if the success or failure of our research depends on their knowledge.
The phenomena that we investigate, depending on their nature are treated from different approaches: quantitative, qualitative and mixed. But in this case, since they are the most common; we will focus on explaining the difference between Quantitative and Qualitative.
Difference between Quantitative and Qualitative
Quantitative
For the quantitative approach, the specific value is a measure, degree, or quantity. When conducting research of this type, very objective techniques are used; such as the controlled and structured observation from which external inferences are extracted beyond the data.
Quantitative properties can be explanatory and correlative Oriented to a result. They allow obtaining solid and repeatable results, besides being generalizable.
The advantage of quantitative techniques is their ability to have external validity to the research of which they are part, since with a representative sample of a population it is possible to arrive at general conclusions for the universe of the population with a defined security and precision; however, its disadvantage lies in the weak internal validity, since it does not go much deeper in explaining the causes of the phenomenon.
Qualitative
The qualitative approach, as its name implies, focuses on observable qualities. In this case, the techniques used and the results obtained are more subjective.
Qualitative properties can be descriptive or exploratory and are geared to obtaining rich and profound data, but with the disadvantage that they are not easily generalizable.
The advantage of the qualitative techniques is their power in internal validity, because it tries to know a singular-particular fact with some depth; however, its disadvantage lies in its inability to generalize its findings. The use of both techniques (quantitative and qualitative) in an investigation could probably help to correct the disadvantages of each approach.
Key differences between Quantitative and Qualitative
- The quantitative approach focuses on numbers, quantities, grades and measures; while the qualitative one attends to the qualities, identities, form …
- The data obtained through quantitative techniques are generalizable, whereas those obtained through qualitative techniques are not.
- The quantitative approach is more objective, while the qualitative approach works more with subjective aspects.
