Unit 4 – Assignment 1 (P1 and P2)
Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis
Quantitative and Qualitative
Analysis
(P1a)
What is meant by qualitative methods?
Qualitative methods are ways of collecting data which are concerned with
describing meaning, rather than with drawing statistical inferences. Whatever
qualitative methods (e.g. case studies and interviews) lose on reliability they
gain in terms of validity. They provide more in depth and are rich in
description. In chemistry, “qualitative” is the analysis of a substance in order to
ascertain the nature of its chemical constituents. They can give information in
terms of why and how, and not on amounts, because in qualitative research
you cannot give set answers.
What is meant by quantitative methods?
Quantitative methods are those which focus on numbers and frequencies
rather than on meaning and experience. Quantitative methods (e.g.
experiments, questionnaires and psychometric tests) provide information
which is easy to analyses statistically and fairly reliable. Quantitative methods
are associated with the scientific and experimental approach and are criticized
for not providing an in depth description. Quantitative methods have come
under considerable criticism. In modern research, most psychologists tend to
adopt a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches, which allow
statistically reliable information obtained from numerical measurement to be
backed up by and enriched by information about the research participants'
explanations. However they cannot answer in depth, it will only cover the
surface of the wanted information.
What are the Differences between Qualitative and Quantitative methods?
Qualitative
Deals with descriptions
Data can be observed but not measured; there is no set unit that can be
used.
Colours, textures, smells, tastes, appearance, etc.
Quantitative
Deals with quantities
Data which can be measured, and observed and then quantified with a
unit.
Length, height, area, volume, weight, etc.
P1a – Quantitative Analysis
Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis
Quantitative and Qualitative
Analysis
(P1a)
What is meant by qualitative methods?
Qualitative methods are ways of collecting data which are concerned with
describing meaning, rather than with drawing statistical inferences. Whatever
qualitative methods (e.g. case studies and interviews) lose on reliability they
gain in terms of validity. They provide more in depth and are rich in
description. In chemistry, “qualitative” is the analysis of a substance in order to
ascertain the nature of its chemical constituents. They can give information in
terms of why and how, and not on amounts, because in qualitative research
you cannot give set answers.
What is meant by quantitative methods?
Quantitative methods are those which focus on numbers and frequencies
rather than on meaning and experience. Quantitative methods (e.g.
experiments, questionnaires and psychometric tests) provide information
which is easy to analyses statistically and fairly reliable. Quantitative methods
are associated with the scientific and experimental approach and are criticized
for not providing an in depth description. Quantitative methods have come
under considerable criticism. In modern research, most psychologists tend to
adopt a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches, which allow
statistically reliable information obtained from numerical measurement to be
backed up by and enriched by information about the research participants'
explanations. However they cannot answer in depth, it will only cover the
surface of the wanted information.
What are the Differences between Qualitative and Quantitative methods?
Qualitative
Deals with descriptions
Data can be observed but not measured; there is no set unit that can be
used.
Colours, textures, smells, tastes, appearance, etc.
Quantitative
Deals with quantities
Data which can be measured, and observed and then quantified with a
unit.
Length, height, area, volume, weight, etc.
P1a – Quantitative Analysis
