Research methods

1. Quantitative Research
Methods Training
Comparing Qualitative and Quantitative
Methods
Edema Conference Centre, Morogoro
4th
August, 2014

2. What is research?
• Systematic inquiry that investigates hypothesis
• Suggests new interpretation of data/texts or
new knowledge
– Poses new questions for future research to explore
• It also involves
– Asking questions that nobody has ever asked before
– Doing necessary work to find the answer
– Communicating the knowledge you have acquired to
a larger audience

3. Methods
1) Quantitative
2) Qualitative

4. Quantitative methods
Are driven by two concerns;
• Nature of relationships among variables
– Unrelated
– Correlation
– If one variable affect another
– Independent and dependent variable(there is effect)
• Whether discoveries or findings are
generalizable
– Study design
– Sampling procedures
– Analysis of data

5. Quantitative methods…
• Would want to quantify the two concepts
– The size of relationships among variables
This is quantified through mathematics
o The difference average scores of maths between female and
male
o The correlation between scores on an IQ test and grade point
average
– The probability that the results are
generalizable
This is quantified through inferential statistics
o There is statistically significant difference at 0.5 level between
male and female on mathematics scores

6. Quantitative methods…
What quantitative research answers
• Research question demanding a quantitative answer e.g
how many, to what extent
• Numerical change(down or up)
• State of something e.g. factors affecting recruitment of
CHWs?
• Testing of hypotheses e.g. understand relationship
between variable A&B

7. Comparison

8. General framework
Quantitative Qualitative
Seek to confirm hypotheses about
phenomena
Seek to explore phenomena
Instruments use more rigid style
of eliciting and categorizing
responses to questions
Instruments use more flexible,
iterative style of eliciting and
categorizing responses to questions
Use highly structured methods
such as questionnaires, surveys,
and structured observation
Use semi-structured methods such
as in-depth interviews, focus
groups, and participant observation
More generalizable Less generalizable
More objective: provide observed
effects(interpreted by researcher)
More subjective: describe a problem
from the respondents point of view

9. Analytical objectives
Quantitative Qualitative
To quantify variation To describe variation
To predict causal relationships To describe and explain
relationships
To describe characteristics of a
population
To describe individual
experiences
To describe group norms

10. Question format
Quantitative Qualitative
Closed-ended Open-ended
Fixed responses options Unstructured or semi-structured
responses options

11. Data format
Quantitative Qualitative
Numerical (obtained by assigning
numerical values to responses)
Textual (obtained from audiotapes,
videotapes, and field notes)
Less in-depth but more breadth of
information across a large number of
cases
More in-depth information on a few
cases

12. Flexibility in study design
Quantitative Qualitative
Study design is stable from
beginning to end
Some aspects of the study are
flexible (for example, the addition,
exclusion, or wording of particular
interview questions)
Participant responses do not
influence or determine how and
which questions researchers ask
next
Participant responses affect how
and which questions researchers
ask next
Study design is subject to
statistical assumptions and
conditions
Study design is iterative, that is,
data collection and research
questions are adjusted according
to what is learned

13. Sampling
Quantitative Qualitative
Probability sampling Non probability sampling

14. Data collection and analysis
Quantitative Qualitative
Time expenditure heavier on planning
phase and lighter on the analysis phase
Time expenditure lighter on planning
end and heavier during analysis
Can be valid and reliable; largely
depends on measurements device or
instrument used
Can be valid and reliable; largely
depends on skill and rigor of the
researcher
Statistical tests are used for analysis No statistical tests