Qualitative vs Quantitative Methods

Question 1

What is a qualitative method?

Answer 1

Methods that collect detailed info (e.g. theories) rather than testing predictions

Question 2

What are examples of qualitative methods?

Answer 2

1. Case studies
2. Unstructured interviews
3. Ppt observation

Question 3

What are some disadvantages of qualitative methods?

Answer 3

1. Difficult to replicate
2. Limited generalisability b/c findings are likely to only reflect individuals studied
3. Researcher bias - researchers can become close to ppts

Question 4

Define researcher bias. How can we prevent this?

Answer 4

1. Researcher bias - researcher interprets results subjectively
2. Triangulation - using multiple measures to cross-validate findings
   - ensures they don’t lose professional objectivity

Question 5

What is a quantitative method?

Answer 5

Methods that test hypotheses & generate supporting or opposing results

Question 6

Give examples of quantitative methods.

Answer 6

1. Experiments

2. Correlational research

Question 7

What are some advantages of quantitative methods?

Answer 7

1. High generalisability - designed to gather facts that can be applied to TP
2. Objective - less open to researcher bias
3. More reliable - more scientific, so easier to replicate