Comparison and Contrast of Objectives, Questions, or Hypotheses Used in Quantitative and Qualitative Articles

Comparison and Contrast of Objectives, Questions, or Hypotheses in Quantitative and Qualitative Articles

When we examine and differentiate the utilization of objectives, questions, or hypotheses in quantitative and qualitative research, we gain insights into the appropriate approaches for constructing research papers.

Qualitative objectives are inherently subjective and non-measurable. They lack a precise means of measurement, making it challenging to determine whether an objective has been achieved or not. Qualitative objectives yield results that are open to interpretation due to their lack of specificity. Consequently, qualitative objectives may not be suitable for certain applications, such as testing and educational objectives.

On the other hand, quantitative objectives are either measured or measurable. Measurement is essential to determine whether an objective has been met or not. Quantitative objectives leave no room for ambiguity, as their outcomes are clearly defined through measurement and definition.

Qualitative research questions delve into the characteristics and nature of a culture or its members. These questions explore the experiences and perspectives of individuals in observed situations, focusing on lived experiences, occurrences related to ideas or concepts, and collective perceptions. In qualitative research, if questions are employed, they tend to be broad and global, revolving around feelings and perceptions, with little mention of the studied population.

Conversely, quantitative research questions aim to uncover relationships among variables that the researcher is investigating. They often restate the research purpose and are specific to the study’s aims and objectives. Quantitative research questions are concerned with numeric estimates and relationships among variables, and they are typically tested through statistical procedures.

Qualitative and Quantitative Research Design Summary

Qualitative research is often associated with hypothesis generation rather than hypothesis testing, as is the case in quantitative research. Qualitative research results are assumed to apply primarily to the specific groups studied, with limited generalizability to other populations. Therefore, qualitative research is considered hypothesis-generating, although some experts may dispute this classification.

In contrast, quantitative hypotheses involve making predictions about expected relationships among variables and numeric estimates of population values based on collected data. The testing of hypotheses in quantitative research employs statistical procedures to draw inferences about populations from study samples. Quantitative hypotheses can take two forms: null hypotheses, which predict no significant difference or relationship in the general population, and directional hypotheses, which make predictions based on prior literature.

In summary, qualitative and quantitative research approaches differ significantly. Quantitative research relies on data and statistics, while qualitative research generates questions to explore the who, what, where, and why aspects of research.

References:

Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). Sage Publications, Inc.

Jennifer R. Gray, PhD, RN, FAAN, Susan K. Grove, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, GNP-BC and Suzanne Sutherland, PhD & Jennifer R. Gray, PhD, RN, FAAN, Susan K. Grove, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, GNP-BC and Suzanne Sutherland, PhD. (2017). Burns & Grove’s the practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence (8th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences (US).

It’s essential to recognize the distinctions between qualitative and quantitative research in terms of their objectives, questions, and hypotheses. These differences determine the nature of the research and the methods used to answer research questions. In qualitative research, objectives are often subjective and non-measurable, making it challenging to determine whether they have been met. This subjectivity allows for a broader exploration of experiences and perspectives, but it may not be suitable for applications requiring precise measurements or testing. In contrast, quantitative research relies on measurable objectives that leave no room for ambiguity. This approach is essential for establishing clear relationships among variables and drawing statistical inferences.

Research questions in qualitative studies tend to be broader and more focused on understanding experiences, feelings, and perceptions. They explore the depth of human experiences and are not always tied to specific populations. Quantitative research questions, on the other hand, are designed to examine relationships among variables, and they are often a restatement of the research purpose. These questions are specific to the study’s objectives and are crucial for hypothesis testing.

In terms of hypotheses, qualitative research is typically considered hypothesis-generating rather than hypothesis-testing. Its results are often specific to the groups studied and may not be readily generalizable to other populations. In contrast, quantitative research involves testing hypotheses through statistical procedures to draw inferences about broader populations. This approach requires clear predictions about expected relationships among variables.

Understanding these distinctions is essential for researchers to choose the appropriate research design and methods based on their research goals and questions.

References

Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). Sage Publications, Inc.

Jennifer R. Gray, PhD, RN, FAAN, Susan K. Grove, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, GNP-BC and Suzanne Sutherland, PhD & Jennifer R. Gray, PhD, RN, FAAN, Susan K. Grove, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, GNP-BC and Suzanne Sutherland, PhD. (2017). Burns & grove’s the practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence (8th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences (US).

Qualities of qualitative research: Part i. (n.d.). PubMed Central (PMC). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3244304/