Introduction to quantitative and qualitative research

1. Qualitative & Quantitative
Methods
Quantitative example: by using a pre-test/post-test design, researchers were
able to detect changes in youth gun homicides, shots fired calls and gun
assaults to measure the effectiveness of Project Ceasefire in Boston
Qualitative example: by using in-depth interviews with 50 experienced U.K.
burglars, researchers were able to uncover how experienced-burglars: 1)
choose to burgle a property, 2) select their targets, 3) search the property.
Quantitative methods measure cause and effect; generalizable to larger
groups; useful for studying large numbers of people, complex processes or
things that are big in size or scope; validate existing theories.
Qualitative methods provide rich, detailed descriptions, useful for studying
smaller numbers of people or things; provides possible explanations for why
certain phenomena occurred; captures nuance and context; generates ideas.
Quantitative methods use numerical data and mathematical techniques to
test the relationship between 2 or more factors. (“Yes” or “no” questions,
often begin with “does”)..
Qualitative methods Qualitative methods are a non-numerical approach to
collecting, analyzing and interpreting data on a group, process or other social
phenomena (Open-ended questions, often begin with “how” or “why”).
Policing
examples
What are
these
methods?
Quantitative Methods Qualitative Methods
Experiments, surveys, or questionnaires Interviews or focus groups
Analyzing secondary data Case studies, or ethnographies
Any data that can be assigned a number Observational or field studies
Benefits
of these
methods
Methods
examples