2. The Standard View
from text
Quantitative
• Create categories prior
to investigation.
• Use of a large number
of subjects (e.g., over
30).
• Use statistical
techniques to analyze
the results
• Usually collects data
with questionnaire,
structured interviews,
observations
Qualitative
• Categories emerge as a
result of investigation.
• Use of a small number
of subjects (e.g.,
sometimes only 4 or 5
sometimes n=1).
• Use narrative
techniques to analyze
the results
• Usually collects data
with unstructured
interview, observations,
logs/journals.
3. The Continuum View
Alter & Evens Evaluating Social Work Practice
Qualitative and Quantitative methodologies
fall on a continuum:
Qualitative Quantitative
Every type of research projects include elements both
methodologies. Some more than others.
4. The Interaction View
DePoy & Gitlin Introduction to Research
Actually, researchers bounce between both methods:
Qualitative
Quantitative
Qualitative
Quantitative
Qualitative
Quantitative
Qualitative
Quantitative
