3.2 Discussion: Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis
Getting Started
When conducting research in social science, there inevitably comes a time when something must be measured in some way (i.e., some unit of analysis must be applied.) In most cases, this will involve numbers, also referred to as quantitative analysis because quantities are being interpreted. This stands in stark contrast to qualitative analysis, which is based on qualities or specific, observable characteristics to distinguish units of analysis. As you might imagine, qualitative analysis, therefore, usually relies on the use of words and explanations instead of numbers.
An immense area of quantitative research in social science involves the gathering of statistics and, in turn, performing some analysis of those statistics. Many of us may be familiar with statistics from the sports world, such as a batting average in baseball, which tells you how often a player has ended up on base or with a run, as opposed to being out. The analysis of data is a core requirement in academic research, so let us take a closer look at the role of numbers, data, and statistics.
Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:
- Discuss the differing benefits and limitations of qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Resources
- Textbook: The Practice of Social Research
- Media: Introduction to Statistics: Definitions/Terminology(Found online)
- Media: Descriptive Statistics: Part 1(Found online)
- Media: Descriptive Statistics: Part 2 (Found online)
Background Information
At this point in the course, you have a basic grasp of the way numbers work in research, it is worthwhile to explore the value of this numeric approach to conducting research in relation to more conventional, qualitative, or descriptive-based avenues for our analysis. Both quantitative and qualitative strategies for conducting research are useful, however, and can be used (often in tandem) to answer a research question, but the extent to which you would rely on one or the other approach depends on the nature of the specific question that you are examining. Accordingly, an economics study on fluctuations in rates of international currency trading may necessarily be heavily quantitative, whereas a study on the factors involved in foreign policy decision making during international crises may have to use mostly qualitative research. Thus, a discussion of the merits and limitations of these two approaches serves to inspire greater confidence in utilizing these approaches for our assignments and our research.
Instructions
- Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
- Read the following chapters in your textbook, The Practice of Social Research:
- Chapter 6, “Indexes, Scales, and Typologies”
- Chapter 7, “The Logic of Sampling”
- Read the following CourseConnect presentations from Statistics:
- Lesson 1, Introduction to Statistics: Definitions/Terminology
- Lesson 2, Descriptive Statistics: Part 1
- Lesson 3, Descriptive Statistics: Part 2
- After reviewing these three lesson presentations on statistics, hopefully you are beginning to learn more about their value and how they might be collected. Navigate to the threaded discussion and respond to the following prompts:
- Which do you find more useful in attempting to reveal truth or a deeper understanding about a topic: qualitative or quantitative research? Why?
- Do you think every example of scientific research must have an element of quantitative analysis to be considered valid? Why or why not?
- What are the limits of numbers applied in this way? What are some things that numbers might simply not be able to capture?
- Your posts should be between 200 and 300 words long.
- Use at least two scholarly resources. References should be added at the end of your post.
- Your postings also should:
- Be well developed by providing clear answers with evidence of critical thinking supported by at least two academic sources.
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