Qualitative and Quantitative Data Collection Approaches

Summary

Qualitative and quantitative are two approaches to collecting data for research. The qualitative approach entails analyzing, collecting, and interpreting qualitative non-numerical data, such as language. Qualitative research is used to understand individual perceptions and estimations of personal and social reality. At the same time, the qualitative approach entails collecting, analyzing, and interpreting numerical data to predict, describe, or control the studied variables. This paper aims to discuss the specific features of the qualitative and quantitative approaches for collecting data.

Benefits and Limitations

One great benefit of the qualitative data analysis approach is its potential to establish relationships, effects, causes, and dynamic processes. Another benefit is openness to ambiguity and contradictions in data. One important limitation of qualitative research is the problem of validity and reliability, as this approach mostly collects opinions and personal perceptions. Another limitation is the role of the researcher, who can influence the process of collecting information.

The main benefit of the quantitative approach is scientific objectivity, as it allows for working with data using statistical analysis. Another benefit is the opportunity for rapid analysis by using the software. The two limitations are context and variability of data quantity. The context limitation implies that quantitative experiments take place not in nature but in artificial settings, and do not regard the participants’ feedback. The data quantity limitation entails the problem of variability in data quantity when greater samples are needed for accurate analysis.

Major Differences between the Two Approaches

One important difference is that the qualitative approach is applied in social sciences, while quantitative data collection is generally required in mathematics, statistics, IT, medicine, and other purely scientific fields. Another great difference between the two approaches is that the qualitative approach mostly focuses on subjective, personal data like opinions and interviews, finding the relations and main themes when studying the phenomena. At the same time, the quantitative approach implies that researchers focus mainly on numerical, statistically measurable data.

Scholars emphasize that, although qualitative research works with non-quantifiable data, it is sometimes used in informatics to better understand the people behind the data, the contexts, organizations, and sociotechnical relationships (Ancker et al., 2021). Importantly, the qualitative and quantitative approaches can be used together in the so-called ‘mixed methods’ (Younas et al., 2021). Unlike quantitative approach methods, the methods used in terms of qualitative approach often face common challenges, such as the impact of the researcher, and study scope (Flynn, 2018). Examples of methods in quantitative research are experiments, controlled observations, questionnaires, and examples of qualitative methods are diary accounts, documents, in-depth interviews, focus groups, and case study research.

Applying Approaches to the Topic of Suicides in the US

Nowadays, the level of suicides in the US remains considerably high. The reasons for suicidal behavior, thoughts, and suicide attempts differ depending on the category of the population, geography, social determinants, and other aspects. Hence, it would be interesting to study the phenomenon due to the immediate request for help from people who commit suicide. The first research question can be: What are the main reasons for suicide attempts among female college students in Southern states? The qualitative approach, for example, the method of in-depth interviews, can help determine the emotional states and objective prerequisites for suicidal behavior and suicide attempts.

Another research question to analyze the topic can be: How often do the students at colleges in Southern states commit suicide attempts during the winter and summer seasons? This question can be answered by using the method of statistical analysis, and further, the rating scale with the results can be developed. This information can enrich the understanding of the problem and illustrate it. The quantitative approach will allow gathering data regarding the suicide attempts in the Southern states, among college students, and among this category during the more depressive seasons (due to lack of work, and worsened weather) of summer and winter.

Limitations to Understanding Topic

The limitations to understanding the topic when applying the qualitative approach include the subjective nature of qualitative data, which can distort the general ideas about the reasons people commit suicides since people with suicidal moods can have distorted perceptions concerning the reasons for their behavior and lack understanding of their emotions. Hence, the researcher can eventually get the wrong impression regarding the topic. Another limitation is that due to the subjective character of data, they cannot be generalized with the full sufficiency and confidence characteristic of the quantitative approach. This also means that data collected through interviews will not necessarily allow for a comprehensive understanding.

The limitations entailed by the quantitative approach relate to the method of statistical analysis that allows only for a generalized perspective on the studied phenomenon and processes that lead to it. Another limitation is that measuring data and using these measures for making assumptions can be too simplistic, and some researchers can lose focus and forget to question the reasons that lie behind the numerical data they study.

Thus, the specific features of the qualitative and quantitative approaches to data collection were discussed. The qualitative approach is good for studying social phenomena and working with the ‘raw’ non-numerical information, especially its methods of in-depth interviews, unstructured interviews, and focus groups. At the same time, the quantitative approach is highly applicable for developing a more generalized and illustrative perspective, when it comes to social sciences.

References

Ancker, J. S., Benda, N. C., Reddy, M., Unertl, K. M., & Veinot, T. (2021). Guidance for publishing qualitative research in informatics. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 28(12), 2743-2748.

Flynn, R., Albrecht, L., & Scott, S. D. (2018). Two approaches to focus group data collection for qualitative health research: maximizing resources and data quality. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 17(1), 16-23.

Younas, A., Inayat, S., & Sundus, A. (2021). Joint displays for qualitative-quantitative synthesis in mixed methods reviews. Research Methods in Medicine & Health Sciences, 2(3), 91-101.