Definition of Qualitative Analysis
Qualitative analysis
involves evaluating information based on stories, social movements, responses
and interactions of individuals.
involves evaluating information based on stories, social movements, responses
and interactions of individuals.
Definition of Quantitative Analysis
Quantitative analysis
involves assessing the outcomes of the population or simply analyzing different
groups using numerical or statistical methods.
involves assessing the outcomes of the population or simply analyzing different
groups using numerical or statistical methods.
Differences between Qualitative
and Quantitative Analysis
and Quantitative Analysis
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Qualitative Analysis
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Quantitative Analysis
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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. |
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Qualitative research is
usually conducted in the subject’s natural setting whenever possible. |
Quantitative analysis is
done in controlled environments where environmental factors which may affect the results are controlled. |
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The results of
qualitative analysis 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. |
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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 |
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. |
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Qualitative method of
analysis involves describing the information through descriptive means. For example 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. |
Five (5) component of qualitative analysis
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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) component of quantitative analysis
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Research: Quantitative research design is an excellent way of finalizing results
and proving or disproving a hypothesis.
and proving or disproving a hypothesis.
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.
