Explain qualitative and quantitative research methods and describe some of the common research motives for choosing to use qualitative or quantitative research methods. Then explain why some researchers use both methods to answer their research questions.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Wording may vary, but this should generally be the response: Qualitative research methods are mostly written or spoken words or observations that do not have a direct numerical interpretation. Quantitative research methods are typically in the form of surveys and experiments that record variation in social life in terms of categories that vary in amount. Data that are treated as quantitative are either numbers or attributes that can be ordered in terms of magnitude. Some of the common motives for choosing qualitative research is if the goal of the research is to explore a phenomenon. It can also be descriptive and evaluative. For quantitative research methods, the common motives are typically to explain, describe or evaluate a phenomenon. Sometimes researchers use mixed methods to explore a phenomenon in order to gain a clearer picture of the phenomenon being studied from multiple perspectives. This is sometimes referred to as triangulation.