Quantitative research and qualitative research

In social research there are two main approaches are commonly used, namely quantitative and qualitative approaches. Both have fundamental differences, even to the level of operational research. The fundamental difference between the two methods of research can be identified based on assumptions, significance, approach and role of the researcher.

quantitative research
assumptions
- Social facts have an objective reality.
- Prioritize methods.
- Variables can be identified and their relationship can be measured.
- Ethics, concerned with the views of others.

intent
- Perform generalization.
- Forecasting.
- Describe the cause and effect.

approach
- Starting with the theory and hypotheses.
- Manipulate and control.
- Using formal instruments.
- Experimentation.
- Deductive.
- Analysis of the components.
- Finding consensus norm.
- Reduce the data into a number of indicators.
- Writing reports with abstract language.

role of researcher
- Objective, impartial, and neutral.

qualitative research
assumptions
- Reality is socially shaped, plural and is wholeness.
- Prioritize problem areas.
- Variables are complex, interrelated, and can not be measured.
- EMIC, concerned with a view from the inside.

intent
- Contextualization.
- Interpretation.
- Understand the point of view of research subjects.

approach
- Ended up with a working hypothesis and the theory of basic.
- Looking for emerging and described.
- Researcher as instrument.
- Naturalistic or natural.
- Inductive.
- Finding a pattern.
- Looking for pluralism and complexity.
- Only a few uses indicators numbers.
- Writing descriptively.

role of researcher
- Participation in private.