Research Designs

1. Differentiating
Qualitative and
Quantitative
Research Designs
Mikael Sandino T. Andrey, PhD
Tagahubog sa mga Batang Quesayano

2. What is a research design?
• This refers to the overall strategy that
you choose to integrate the different
components of the study in a
coherent and logical way, thereby,
ensuring you will effectively address
the research problem; it constitutes
the blueprint for the collection,
measurement, and analysis of data
(De Vaus, 2001; Trochim 2006).

3. What is a
research
design?
This is the layout of the study. It presents the
plans on how the researcher will proceed to
obtain valid results (Lee et al., 2014).
This ensures that the evidence obtained enables
you to effectively address the research problem
as unambiguously as possible.
This section also includes the specific research
method to be used in the study (Lee et al.,
2014).
• The study is a quantitative research design using a
descriptive-correlational method since it aims to describe a
phenomenon and correlates two variables.

4. Types of Research Designs
QUALITATIVE
RESEARCH DESIGN
QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH DESIGN

5. Qualitative Research Design
It is used to gain an understanding of underlying reasons,
opinions, and motivations.
It provides insights into the problem or helps to develop ideas
or hypotheses for potential quantitative research.
It is also used to uncover trends in thought and opinions, and
dive deeper into the problem.

6. Quantitative Research
Design
• It is used to quantify the problem by
way of generating numerical data or
data that can be transformed into
useable statistics.
• It is used to quantify attitudes, opinions,
behaviors, and other defined variables –
and generalize results from a larger
sample population.
• It uses measurable data to formulate
facts and uncover patterns in research.

7. What’s the difference?
Common distinction is that Qualitative = Words: Quantitative =
Numbers.
However, there is a broad consensus that this is not an
effective way to make the distinction.

8. How do we differentiate it?
• Sage (2015) offered three aspects
for it:
• Induction vs Deduction
• Subjectivity vs Objectivity
• Context vs Generality
• Baraceros (2016) offered other
ways:
• Mental Survey of Reality
• Cause-effect Relationship
• Researcher’s Involvement with the
subject
• Expression of Data
• Research Plan
• Behavior toward research aspects
• Purpose
• Data Analysis Technique
• Sampling Technique

9. Sage
(2015)

10. Induction vs Deduction
Qualitative
• Purposes:
• Generates theory from observations.
• Oriented to discovery, exploration.
• Procedures:
• Emergent design.
• Merges data collection and analysis.
Quantitative
• Purposes:
• Tests theory through observations.
• Oriented to cause and effect.
• Procedures:
• Predetermined design.
• Separates data collection and
analysis.

11. Subjectivity vs Objectivity
Qualitative
• Purposes:
• Emphasizes meanings, interpretation.
• Tries to understand others’
perspectives.
• Procedures:
• Researcher is involved, close to data.
• Researcher is the “research
instrument”.
Quantitative
• Purposes:
• Emphasizes things that can be
measured.
• Results do not depend on beliefs.
• Procedures:
• Researcher is detached, distant from
the data.
• Relies on standard protocols.

12. Context vs Generality
Qualitative
• Purposes:
• Emphasizes specific depth and detail.
• Analyzes holistic systems.
• Procedures:
• Uses a naturalistic approach.
• Relies on a few purposively chosen
cases.
Quantitative
• Purposes:
• Emphasizes generalization and
replication.
• Analyzes variables.
• Procedures:
• Uses experimental and statistical
controls.
• Works across a larger number of
cases.

13. Baraceros
(2016)

14. Mental Survey of Reality
Qualitative
• Results from social interactions
Quantitative
• Exists in the physical world

15. Cause-Effect Relationship
Qualitative
• Explained by people’s objective
desires
Quantitative
• Revealed by automatic
descriptions of circumstances and
conditions

16. Researcher’s Involvement with the Subject
Qualitative
• Subjective;
• Sometimes personally engaged
Quantitative
• Objective;
• Least involvement by the
researcher

17. Expression of Data
Qualitative
• Verbal language (words, visuals,
objects)
Quantitative
• Numerals, statistics

18. Research Plan
Qualitative
• Takes place as the research
proceeds gradually
Quantitative
• Plans all research aspects before
collecting data

19. Behavior toward Research Aspects/Conditions
Qualitative
• Desires to preserve the natural
setting of research features
Quantitative
• Control or manipulation of research
conditions by the researcher

20. Purpose
Qualitative
• Makes social intentions
understandable
Quantitative
• Evaluates objectives and examines
cause-effect relationships

21. Data Analysis Technique
Qualitative
• Thematic codal ways
• Competence-based
Quantitative
• Mathematically based methods

22. Sampling Technique
Qualitative
• More inclined to purposive
sampling or use of chosen
samples based on some criteria
Quantitative
• Random sampling as the most
preferred

23. Data Collection
Quantitative Research
Design
Qualitative Research Design

24. Quantitative Data Collection
Methods
• Surveys: List of closed or multiple-
choice questions that is distributed to
a sample (online, in person, or over
the phone).
• Experiments: Situation in
which variables are controlled and
manipulated to establish cause-and-
effect relationships.
• Observations: Observing subjects in
a natural environment where
variables can’t be controlled.

25. Qualitative Data Collection Methods
Interviews: Asking open-ended questions verbally to respondents.
Focus groups: Discussion among a group of people about a topic to
gather opinions that can be used for further research.
Ethnography: Participating in a community or organization for an
extended period to closely observe culture and behavior.
Literature review: Survey of published works by other authors.

26. Thank you
Given the differences of the two
research designs it would be
inappropriate to state that one is
superior to the other. Each design
has its own beauty and weakness.
- SirDINOism -