U1D1-68 -compare and contrast the characteristics of quantitative and qualitative research, addressing the philosophical assumptions of both. Based on your review of the assigned readings, identify and describe what you believe to be meaningful about the

P r i n t

QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE CHARACTERISTICS QUIZ

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH?

Quantitative To explain and predict

To con�rm and validate

To test theory Qualitative research is deductive in nature and often has as its goal testing explanations that already exist.

Qualitative To describe and explain

To explore and interpret

To build theory Qualitative is inductive in nature and is often used when the researcher does not know what exists to explore the �eld.

WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THE RESEARCH PROCESS?

Quantitative Known Variables

Predetermined methods

Detached view In quantitative research the researcher is following a set process and remains as objective as possible.

Qualitative Unknown variables

Emergent methods

Personal view

In qualitative research, the researcher is dealing with much that is unknown. The process often emerges as the researcher is researching. The researcher is also a tool in the research and remains subjective.

WHAT ARE THE DATA LIKE AND HOW ARE THEY COLLECTED?

C r e d i t s

Quantitative Numeric data

Representative, large sample

Standardized instruments Quantitative research deals with numbers and it seeks to generalize from a good-sized sample to a population.

Qualitative Textual and/or image-based data

Informative, small sample

Loosely structured observations

Qualitative uses text or words as data. It does not seek to generalize.

HOW ARE DATA ANALYZED TO DETERMINE THEIR MEANING?

Quantitative Statistical analysis

Stress on objectivity

Deductive reasoning In quantitative research statistics are used.

Qualitative Search for themes and categories

Acknowledge analysis is subjective

Inductive reasoning In qualitative analysis, the researcher uses words to create categories.

HOW ARE THE FINDINGS COMMUNICATED?

Quantitative Numbers

Statistics, aggregated data

Formal voice, scienti�c style In quantitative research, the �nal report uses statistics to describe the research.

Qualitative Words

Narratives

Individual quotes

Personal voices, literary style In qualitative research, the �nal report uses a more literary style of word and quotes from the subjects to describe the research.

Subject Matter Expert:

Interactive Design:

Instructional Designer:

Project Manager:

CREDITS Ayn Embar-Seddon O'Reilly, Ph.D., Stephen W. Verrill, Ph.D. Christina Adams

Ti�any Herder

Kyle Huppert

L i c e n s e d u n d e r a C r e a t i v e C o m m o n s A t t r i b u t i o n 3 . 0 L i c e n s e .