1. Master’s Degree Program in English Teaching
as a Foreign Language
ESPOL
Qualitative Research Design
under the direction and supervision of
Professor Jorge Flores

2. Differences Between
Qualitative and Quantitative Research

3. Introduction
This presentation focuses on the differences between
qualitative and quantitative research as examined in two
articles. One article is Quantitative “versus” Qualitative
Research: The wrong question by Hope Olson from
University of Alberta in Canada and another article
is the Qualitative and the Quantitative Debate published
by Writing@CSU: Writing Guide.

4. Introduction
Both articles analyse differences between qualitative
and quantitative research stated by specialists in the fields
of library and information science research. The
authors have contrasted several specialists' positions for these
differences and considered main aspects implied in scientific
research. These aspects reflect ontological and epistemological
implications, methodological approaches or the importance of
researchers' role for the development of information science research.

5. Presentation Contents Index
I have based this presentation on information provided in articles
mentioned in the introduction. I have summarised this information
considering the most important points of the articles, specialists’
observations and assumptions. This information was oriented to
determine main differences between quantitative and qualitative
research and how these differences influence research.
Main points for the presentation are:
• Definitions of quantitative and qualitative research.
• Characteristics of quantitative and qualitative research.
• Definitions of two essential terms: Ontological & Epistemological.
• Important assumptions concerning quantitative or qualitative
research from several researchers’ observations.
• The Role of Theory
• The authors’ conclusions.
• Personal conclusions.

6. Definitions of Quantitative and
Qualitative Research
Given by Oxford English Dictionary
Quantitative
• “That is, or may be,
considered with respect
the quantity or
quantities involved;
estimated or estimable
by quantity. Relating to,
concerned with, quantity
or its measurement.”
(OX2)
Qualitative
• “Relating to, connected
or concerned with
quality or qualities. Now
usually in implied or
expressed opposition to
quantitative.” (OX2)

7. How Has Specialists Defined Quantitative
and Qualitative Research as indicated by
Hope Olsen?
“Jack Glazier vaguely defines qualitative by what is not
quantitative”. (1992,6). He lists as qualitative methods
ethnographic and naturalistic and, most curiously, and
unobtrusive methods.
“Elfreda Chapman also defines qualitative research by what it
is not”….. “unlike other methods, feels the work does not use
tightly controlled variables or the creation of structured
situations.” (1984-40036)

8. Characteristics of Qualitative and
Quantitative Research Stated by Several
Specialists
Qualitative Research
Characteristics
“Non manipulative and non
controlling nature” Raya Fidel, 1993.
“Holistic, environmental or
contextual, inductive or
dialectical, pluralistic or
relative” –
(Bradley, 1993; Fidel 1993;
Sutton 1993; Mellon
1990; Glover and
Glazier 1985.)
Quantitative Research
Characteristics
“Quantitative data involves
numbers and is
deductive. All
quantitative research
requires a hypothesis
before research can
begin.” –
The Quantitative and
Qualitative Debate

9. Definitions of Two Essential Terms:
Ontological & Epistemological
Ontological
“Of or relating to essence of the nature of being.”
“Branch of metaphysics that deals with the nature of existence.”
yourDictionary.com - Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary
Epistemological
“The branch of philosophy that studies the nature of knowledge,
its presuppositions and foundations, and its extent and
validity.” yourDictionary.com

10. Important Considerations Concerning
Quantitative or Qualitative Research From
Several Researchers’ Observations
These are important considerations when establishing difference
between both methods.
“Some Information Science Literature ILS Writers suggest that the
distinction is really one of epistemology”. - Hope Olson.
“It is true that the positivist approach, with its goal of discerning the
statistical regularities of behaviour, is oriented toward counting the
occurrences and measuring the extent of the behaviours being studied.
By contrast, the interpretative approach, with its goal of
understanding the social world from the viewpoint of the actors within
it, is oriented toward detailed description of the actors’ cognitive and
symbolic actions, that is, the meanings associated with observable
behaviours.” (1993, 451)
Quantitative versus Qualitative Research: The wrong question.

11. Important Considerations Concerning
Quantitative or Qualitative Research From
Several Researchers’ Observations
Subject / Object - Research / Respondent
“The objective researcher / subject focuses on the respondent (the
object of the research). The objective researcher / subject focuses on
the respondent / object in an effort to understand objective reality.”
“The subjective researcher seeks to know the situation through the
eyes of the respondent.”
“The relationship between subject and object is an indicator of the
ontological and epistemological assumptions on which a given study
is based.”
Quantitative versus Qualitative Research: The wrong question.

12. Important Considerations Concerning
Quantitative or Qualitative Research From
Several Researchers’ Observations
• “Attitude toward bias, particularly as introduced by the
researcher, is affected by the underlying epistemic assumptions.”
Hope Olson
• “Total objectivity is impossible for researchers who are, after all,
human beings. The difference between the two research traditions is
not that one lacks objectivity. The difference is that naturalistic
researchers systematically acknowledge and document their biases
rather than striving to rise above them.” (Mellon 1990, 26)
• Concerning methodology Hope Olson indicates that subjective and
objective types of research analyse data in either quantitative or
qualitative manner. She rephrases Fidel’s observations and says that
subjective research uses multiple methods to measure the same
qualities, every one after the other, and objective research uses
methods to measure different qualities as appropriate.

13. The Role of Theory
“In subjective research, theory may be generated by the
evidence during the study.”
“Objective researchers devise hypothesis or thesis prior to the
study. This difference make sense if objective research is
design to understand a single objective reality…..Subjective
research, however, accepts that different theories may be
simultaneously valid according to the researchers.”
Mellon (1990, 72)

14. Conclusions Presented in Both Articles
There are conclusions in both articles concerning the role of
qualitative and quantitative research for library and information
science. I present these conclusions as follows:
• “Researchers should find the most effective ways to incorporate
elements of both to ensure that their studies are as accurate and
thorough as possible.” - The Qualitative and Quantitative Debate.
• “It is important for researchers to realise that qualitative and
quantitative methods can be used in conjunction with each other.” The Qualitative and Quantitative Debate.
• “The focus on methods should not drive research.” Hope Olson
• “Other researchers think that qualitative and quantitative
methodologies can be used in combination only by alternating between
methods…..Some researchers think that both qualitative and
quantitative methods can be used simultaneously to answer a research
question.” - The Qualitative and Quantitative Debate.

15. Personal Conclusions
• Qualitative as well as quantitative research are fundamental for the
study and the development of science as we use frequently use them to
process information, formulate principles, confirm or revalidate
theories among other applications.
• Both types of research have numerous applications to know and
understand reality. Some examples of these applications are studies to
learn about behaviour, living conditions, social effects, social needs,
ethnographic aspects, educational development, etc. Both articles
present examples of these studies.

16. Personal Conclusions
• It is very important to identify main characteristics and
methodology of qualitative and quantitative research to optimise
information gathered, processed and concluded after research. What
is more we should base our research work on principles such as
objectivity, validity, unbiased interpretation, reliability if we target at
obtaining real information. In addition we have to develop our
methodological expertise.
• I learned important things such as the importance of context for
research, usefulness of research when analysing particular problems and
essential considerations for knowledge acquisition.

17. Personal Conclusions
According to both articles both types of research can be combined for
study purposes. In fact they are often integrated in numerous research
activities in different fields. For example, there has been a combination of
quantitative and qualitative research in a study about computer assisted
programs in an educational environment in USA. This information was
presented in the article The Quantitative and Qualitative Debate. I
personally think both types of research are valuable tools to assess an
educational system or the teaching/learning process. A program
evaluation, for instance, can measure students’ achievement results, gather
relevant information about students’ progress, analize these results to
improve a particular teaching situation.

18. Thanks for your attention
Ms. EFLT María del Carmen Boloña
Virtual Education Specialist