Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research
Social science research, or social research as it is sometimes called, stems from the natural sciences, and similar to its precursory field, it uses empirical, measurable outcomes to arrive at a conclusion. While natural scientists use the scientific method, social scientists often use quantitative research to go about their method of discovery.
Quantitative research "is the systematic examination of social phenomena, using statistical models and mathematical theories to develop, accumulate, and refine the scientific knowledge base" ("Quantitative Research," 2008). Quantitative research also provides "generalizable" findings, and according to Marlow (1993), is "characterized by hypothesis testing, using large samples, standardized measures, a deductive approach, and rigorously structured data collection instruments" (cited in "Quantitative Research").
As an alternative to quantitative research, qualitative research is also employed in social science research and is contrasted with quantitative research as such:
("Qualitative Research," 2008)
Trochim (2006), however, warns that researchers should not become so caught up in the polarizing differences between qualitative and quantiative research. He writes, "All quantitative data is based upon qualitative judgments; and all qualitative data can be described and manipulated numerically" (para. 3).
