What is the difference in sociological research between, Qualitative and Quantitative data?

Answer 1

Qualitative is indepth research with a small sample of people. Research can be conducted as one to one interviews or in focus groups. The benefit is that you get real depth of response, but the downside is that because the sample is so small the results are only indicative, they aren't representative of the population as a whole. Quantitative research is a survey run with a statistically representative sample of people. You don't get the same depth of data, but, assuming you have selected your sample well, it is statistically viable. Research projects often start with qual research to establish the key issues and the hypothesis is tested with quant research.

Answer 2

Quantitative research is the systematic scientific investigation of quantitative properties and phenomena and their relationships. Quantitative research is widely used in both the natural and social sciences, from physics and biology to sociology and journalism. It is also used as a way to research different aspects of education.

Protest/Survey which concludes that the average patient has to wait 2 hours in the waiting room of a certain doctor before being selected.

Qualitative research is one of the two major approaches to research methodology in social sciences. Qualitative research involves an indepth understanding of human behavior and the reasons that govern human behavior. Unlike quantitative research, qualitative research relies on reasons behind various aspects of behavior. Simply put, it investigates the why and how of decision making, as compared to what, where, and when of quantitative research. Hence, the need is for smaller but focused samples rather than large random samples, which qualitative research categorizes data into patterns as the primary basis for organizing and reporting results. Unlike quantitative research, which relies exclusively on the analysis of numerical or quantifiable data, data for qualitative research comes in many mediums, including text, sound, still images, and moving images.

Answer 3

Sounds like you may be doing some research, I have a Sociolgy Degree, and I suggest you stick with the qualitative data/ method of research, much more easier although may take some more work but I found it better than quantitative method, just stay away from the statistics

Answer 4

since quantitative is more appropriate for experiments that have results which consist of precise measurements, i would think that sociological research would be qualitative. Qualitative research would be like an ordinary book report, such as a report on history or religion rather than a scientific experiment. Qualitiative may also entail surveys and polls, things that have a "human element" to them such as observations about behavior.

Answer 5

I am actually taking a course n qualitative research right now, which is quite a departure from my quantitative natural science undergrad experience. What people have been saying on here sums it up-quantitative deals with numbers, stats, empirical evidence whereas qualitative research methods focus on the state of being. Common methods include document review, observation, focus groups, etc. There has generally been a disconnect between the natural sciences and social sciences over the validity of qualittative research, but things are turning as the value of this type of research is coming to be realized.

Two great references for you to check out....

http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/1997/nsf97153/chap_3.htm

and

http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR8-1/labuschagne.html

Answer 6

Qualitative data involves open questions, peoples thoughts and feelings that can't easily be put into statistics.

Quantitative data involves closed questions (i.e. yes/no answers) that can easily be transferred into charts/statistics.

Basically remember the difference between quality (qualitative) and quantity. (quantitative.) Thats how I remembered the difference.

Answer 7

The basic difference is that qualitative provides more detailed and in depth results, usually carried out by interviewing subjects and asking open questions. The results are subjective because they take account of opinions and perceptions.
Quantitive research concentrates more on numerical/statistical results and can be gathered by quicker, less in depth methods, ie surveys, questionnaires. It is more objective because the sociologist is more interested in the statistical results to back up his hypothesis.

Answer 8

qualitative data involves categories, or "qualities", and quantitative data is all about numbers, or "quantities"

Answer 9

Quantitative data is numerical 1,2,3, you know.

Qualitative is putting things more in categories, such as good/bad
or
small, medium, large jumbo

Answer 10

The answer is in the question !!!!!!