Identifying Sources and Types of Data

Comparison Chart: Qualitative vs. Quantitative Methods

Action Research for Literacy Coaches

VirtualSC PD

Last Updated Winter 2019

Comparison: Qualitative vs. Quantitative Methods The chart below outlines the main differences between qualitative and quantitative reseach

methods.

Qualitative Quantitative

Seeks to explore, explain, and understand

phenomena—ask what and why.

Seeks to confirm a hypothesis about a

phenomena—asks how many.

Data is in the form of a narrative, pictures, or

objects.

Data is in the form of numbers and statistical

results.

Methods less structured. Data gathered through

interviews, observations, content-analysis, and

more.

Highly structured methods. Data gathered through

the use of tools, equipment, questionnaires, and

more.

Asks open-ended questions in an effort to explore. Asks closed-ended questions to reach quantifiable

answers.

Research design has flexibility; can emerge and

evolve as study develops.

Research design is highly structured; laid out in

advance of the study.

Results may be presented subjectively. May

reveal biases, values, or experiences that impact

how the results are interpreted.

Results are documented using objective language.