Differences between
qualitative and quantitative analysis
qualitative and quantitative analysis
Difference between
qualitative and quantitative analysis though with a relative close meaning
varies slightly based on the subject of discussion. In health records
management, the information contained in medical records can be analyzed
qualitatively or quantitatively. Qualitative analysis involves evaluating
information based on stories, social movements, responses and interactions of
individuals. Quantitative analysis of medical records involves assessing medical
records based on the outcomes of the population or simply analyzing different
groups using numerical or statistical methods. There are various differences
between the two methods of medical records analysis. These differences lies on
the type of information, focus of analysis, environment, method and results.
qualitative and quantitative analysis though with a relative close meaning
varies slightly based on the subject of discussion. In health records
management, the information contained in medical records can be analyzed
qualitatively or quantitatively. Qualitative analysis involves evaluating
information based on stories, social movements, responses and interactions of
individuals. Quantitative analysis of medical records involves assessing medical
records based on the outcomes of the population or simply analyzing different
groups using numerical or statistical methods. There are various differences
between the two methods of medical records analysis. These differences lies on
the type of information, focus of analysis, environment, method and results.
1. Type of Information
Qualitative method of
analysis involves describing the information provided in records through
descriptive means. A nurse analyzing medical records, for instance, can
investigate the medical condition of a certain group of patients and then
analyze how they responded to the treatment.
analysis involves describing the information provided in records through
descriptive means. A nurse analyzing medical records, for instance, can
investigate the medical condition of a certain group of patients and then
analyze how they responded to the treatment.
Quantitative analysis, on
the other hand, involves retrieving information in numerical form. The nurse
may use the Functional Independence Measure when collecting information about
patients’ functional abilities during their stay in hospital.
the other hand, involves retrieving information in numerical form. The nurse
may use the Functional Independence Measure when collecting information about
patients’ functional abilities during their stay in hospital.
2. Focus of Analysis
Qualitative research can be
performed on an individual or several groups. This type of research is usually
subjective to the group, which means the person collecting the information
interprets it according to what he wants to focus on. Quantitative analysis, on
the other hand, is objective and it is performed on a large number of patients
for the results to be credible. The information is collected using objective
measurements and diagnostic equipments.
performed on an individual or several groups. This type of research is usually
subjective to the group, which means the person collecting the information
interprets it according to what he wants to focus on. Quantitative analysis, on
the other hand, is objective and it is performed on a large number of patients
for the results to be credible. The information is collected using objective
measurements and diagnostic equipments.
3. Environment
Qualitative research is
usually conducted in the subject’s natural setting whenever possible. The
information is corrected from the patient in the hospital or home and analyzed.
The quantitative analysis of medical records, on the other hand, is done in
controlled environments where environmental factors which may affect the
results are controlled.
usually conducted in the subject’s natural setting whenever possible. The
information is corrected from the patient in the hospital or home and analyzed.
The quantitative analysis of medical records, on the other hand, is done in
controlled environments where environmental factors which may affect the
results are controlled.
4.
Method
Method
Data
collection in qualitative research is not seldom based on unstructured or semi-structured,
but methodologically flexible techniques, e.g. individual depth interviews or
group discussions, that are suited to elicit great detail and a comprehensive
view. While quantitative research uses highly structured, rigid techniques such
as online questionnaires, on-street or telephone interviews. Unlike qualitative
research, which allows unlimited expression from respondents, quantitative
research relies responses to pre-formulated questions.
collection in qualitative research is not seldom based on unstructured or semi-structured,
but methodologically flexible techniques, e.g. individual depth interviews or
group discussions, that are suited to elicit great detail and a comprehensive
view. While quantitative research uses highly structured, rigid techniques such
as online questionnaires, on-street or telephone interviews. Unlike qualitative
research, which allows unlimited expression from respondents, quantitative
research relies responses to pre-formulated questions.
5. Results
Qualitative and
quantitative analysis differ in the results they present. The results of
qualitative analysis of medical records depend on how the researcher wants to
approach the analysis. He may decide, for instance, to concentrate on the
quality of care given to patients or the age bracket of patients treated in a
given period. The end results in quantitative analysis depend purely on the
provided information. For instance, if you want to find out how many patients
received treatment in the hospital for malaria in a certain year, the result is
constant because it is based on numbers.
quantitative analysis differ in the results they present. The results of
qualitative analysis of medical records depend on how the researcher wants to
approach the analysis. He may decide, for instance, to concentrate on the
quality of care given to patients or the age bracket of patients treated in a
given period. The end results in quantitative analysis depend purely on the
provided information. For instance, if you want to find out how many patients
received treatment in the hospital for malaria in a certain year, the result is
constant because it is based on numbers.
Five (5) components of qualitative analysis
·
Usefulness: This refers to the ability to move the research
pursuit forward, to take the researcher to the next step. A useful
qualitative research design results in new insights and hypotheses for further
investigation.
Usefulness: This refers to the ability to move the research
pursuit forward, to take the researcher to the next step. A useful
qualitative research design results in new insights and hypotheses for further
investigation.
·
Analyzability: This refers to the ability to analyze outcomes with
a high degree of confidence. A qualitative research design that
maximizes credibility, transparency, and usefulness will also maximize the
researcher’s ability to provide a meaningful, accurate analysis.
Analyzability: This refers to the ability to analyze outcomes with
a high degree of confidence. A qualitative research design that
maximizes credibility, transparency, and usefulness will also maximize the
researcher’s ability to provide a meaningful, accurate analysis.
·
Reliability: This refers to the overall consistency of a measure. A measure is
said to have a high reliability
if it produces similar results under consistent conditions. For example, measurements
of people’s height and weight are often extremely reliable.
Reliability: This refers to the overall consistency of a measure. A measure is
said to have a high reliability
if it produces similar results under consistent conditions. For example, measurements
of people’s height and weight are often extremely reliable.
·
Credibility: This refers to the trustworthiness of the
outcomes. A design goal of qualitative research is to provide results
that are reasonably known to be true within the particular parameters and
limitations of the qualitative method. Question-answer validity is one
technique that fosters credibility.
Credibility: This refers to the trustworthiness of the
outcomes. A design goal of qualitative research is to provide results
that are reasonably known to be true within the particular parameters and
limitations of the qualitative method. Question-answer validity is one
technique that fosters credibility.
·
Transparency: This refers to the clarity of the process and the
ability to convey specific factors that impact the process. Qualitative
research should be designed with full knowledge of the contribution that each
design element makes to the final results.
Transparency: This refers to the clarity of the process and the
ability to convey specific factors that impact the process. Qualitative
research should be designed with full knowledge of the contribution that each
design element makes to the final results.
Five (5) components of quantitative analysis
1. Research: Quantitative research design is an excellent way of finalizing results
and proving or disproving a hypothesis.
and proving or disproving a hypothesis.
2. Hypothesis: Quantitative experiments all use a standard format, with a few minor
inter-disciplinary differences, of generating a hypothesis to be proved or
disproved.
inter-disciplinary differences, of generating a hypothesis to be proved or
disproved.
3. Control Group: Quantitative are usually planned and compared with control groups to
determine changes in the behaviour of certain quantities in an experiment.
determine changes in the behaviour of certain quantities in an experiment.
4. Experiments: Experimental methods limit the possible ways in which a research
participant can react to and express appropriate social behaviour.
Findings are therefore likely to be context-bound and simply a reflection of
the assumptions which the researcher brings to the investigation.
participant can react to and express appropriate social behaviour.
Findings are therefore likely to be context-bound and simply a reflection of
the assumptions which the researcher brings to the investigation.
5. Results: This is the
final information or changes in a particular quantity or quantities after an
experiment.
final information or changes in a particular quantity or quantities after an
experiment.
