Qualitative-Quantitative Debate Flashcards
What is the key distinction between qualitative and quantitative research?
Quantitative research focuses on numerical data, generalizable trends, and objective measurement, whereas qualitative research emphasizes subjective experiences, meaning-making, and contextual understanding.
What philosophical foundation underlies quantitative research, and who is associated with it?
Quantitative research is based on positivism, a philosophy championed by Auguste Comte, which assumes reality is objective and measurable.
What is the main goal of qualitative research?
The goal of qualitative research is to understand subjective experiences, explore emergent themes, and analyze meaning and context in social phenomena.
How do the realities assumed in quantitative and qualitative research differ?
Quantitative research assumes a fixed, measurable reality, while qualitative research assumes reality is fluid and constructed through meaning and context
What are the primary tools used in quantitative research?
Surveys, structured experiments, and statistical analysis.
What are the primary tools used in qualitative research?
Interviews, thematic analysis, case studies, and observational methods.
Why is language an important distinction in qualitative vs. quantitative research?
Quantitative research often uses an objective, third-person perspective, whereas qualitative research uses a first-person, narrative approach to capture lived experiences.
What are some of the key features of quantitative research?
Objective, outsider’s perspective, static categories, measurable trends, and generalizability.
What are some of the key features of qualitative research?
Subjective, insider’s perspective, dynamic categories, focus on meaning-making, and emphasis on lived experiences.
How does interpretivism contrast with positivism?
Interpretivism (qualitative) believes knowledge is constructed through interaction and meaning, while positivism (quantitative) assumes knowledge is objective and can be measured scientifically.
What are the five main steps in the traditional scientific method?
Observation: Identify a phenomenon.
Research Question: Formulate a question based on the observation.
Hypothesis: Develop testable statements (H¹ and Hº).
Testing: Conduct experiments or studies.
Conclusion: Support or refute the hypothesis based on results.
What is an example of an observational statement in psychology?
“Students perform better with study breaks.”
What is the difference between an alternative hypothesis (H¹) and a null hypothesis (Hº)?
H¹ (Alternative Hypothesis) predicts an effect or relationship (e.g., breaks improve memory retention).
Hº (Null Hypothesis) assumes no effect or relationship (e.g., breaks do not improve memory retention).
What is the role of testing in the scientific method?
Testing involves comparing experimental and control groups to determine whether the hypothesis is supported or refuted.
Why is the conclusion an essential step in the scientific method?
The conclusion determines whether findings support the hypothesis and can be generalized or require further investigation.
What are the four primary goals of psychology?
Describe: What is happening?
Explain: Why is it happening?
Predict: What might happen next?
Change: How can it be improved?
How does psychology describe behavior?
By observing, recording, and categorizing behaviors to understand patterns.
What is an example of how psychology explains behavior?
Research on memory retention might explain why students who take breaks perform better by linking it to cognitive load theory.
Why is prediction an important goal of psychology?
Prediction allows psychologists to anticipate future behaviors or mental processes based on past observations.
How does psychology contribute to change in behavior?
By applying psychological principles to interventions, therapy, and real-world applications to improve well-being.
