Qualitative and Quantitative Reaserch, Summaries of English

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Session

Contents

1. Overview of research methods

2. Distinction between quantitative

& qualitative research

3. Types & applicability of different

research methods

4. Q&A

1. Research

method

overview

Categories of research methods

Research methods are broadly distinguished between the following categories:

Quantitative

 Measure prevalence of

issues, verify hypotheses

and establish causal

relations between

variables

 Large samples,

structured data collection,

and predominantly

deductive analysis

Qualitative

 Explore and discover

themes, develop

theories, rather than verify

hypotheses and measure

occurrences

 Smaller samples, semi-

structured data collection,

inductive analysis

Mixed Methods

 Combines both

qualitative and

quantitative to (1) collect

and analyse both types of

data and (2) use both

approaches in tandem

Deductive (quantitative) vs. inductive (qualitative) analysis approach

2. Quantitative

vs. Qualitative

research

Differences between quantitative & qualitative research

The distinction between quantitative and qualitative research is not always as clear-cut:

 Individual and household surveys

o Commonly associated with quantitative, large sample research

o Could also be used for a qualitative case study

 Key Informant interviews and community discussions

o Commonly associated with qualitative, semi-structured data collection & analysis

o Could also be used for quantitative data collection & analysis where time and resources do

not allow a large, representative sample

 Focus Group Discussions

o Perhaps the most distinctly qualitative research method, always administered using a semi-

structured data collection tool

o Often analysed using content analysis i.e. a somewhat quantitative approach counting the

number of times a theme or set of words appear with the discussion transcripts

o This content analysis can then inform the more in-depth qualitative analysis.

3. Types &

applicability

of different

research

methods

Types of research methods (1) Category Type of research methods Description When to use this method Quantitative Structured, probability sampling/ census Structured, close-ended data collection; Quantitative analysis; Data collected from a census or through large samples, with sample size calculated based on probability theory To measure prevalence and make generalizable claims, To conduct deductive analysis (relationship tests, verify hypothesis) To identify key factors that influence a particular outcome or understand the best predictors of a specific outcome Quantitative Structured, non- probability sampling Structured, close-ended data collection; Quantitative analysis; Can be small or large sizes; non- probability sampling To measure prevalence (indicative only) but contextual and/ or logistical constraints do not allow for large, repressentative samples To draw indicative inferences from a sample to a population

The most powerful research method?

 (^) Mixed methods research – if time, access, resources allow!  (^) Common misnomer that quantitative research is the strongest – not always!

 Not all issues need to explained in a quantifiable way

 Some issues are over-simplified if only explored in numeric terms

 In-depth explanation and contextualisation is useful

 (^) Ultimately depends on the research objectives

Questions?

Session

Contents

1. Unit of measurement
2. Types of data collection approaches (structured)
3. Types of data collection approaches (semi- structured)
4. Types of data collection approaches (mixed methods)
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
6. Overview of remote data collection
7. Q&A
8. Task for the week

Unit of

measurement

Remember…

 (^) Unit will impact the time, resources needed to collect and analyse information  (^) Unit will define the depth of information possible and scope of analysis Depth of information

Location level

Household level

Individual level

Community/Group level

Time / Cost / Access It is possible to aggregate from a lower unit of measurement upward (e.g. household to community) but rarely vice-versa

Data

collection

approaches:

Structured