It is a well-known fact that a quantitative study, which is basically based on numbers and data, is well received in the research fraternity which is but obvious given the credibility which a study enjoys that is backed with data. Qualitative studies, on the other hand, are conceptual in nature and result from the works of domain experts and normally lack the vigour which comes with a data-based study. Question is, how could one ensure that a qualitative study stands on the same level as a quantitative one?
Qualitative studies are certainly "data based," but they use a different kind of data in comparison to quantitative studies because they typically pursue different kinds of goals. So, the real issues are the kind off questions you want to ask and the kinds of answers that will address those questions.
There is also the further option of mixed methods research, which combines qualitative and quantitative methods within the same project. In that case, the two kinds of methods typically serve different purposes, but their results are integrated to accomplish a set of goals that would not be possible using either a qualitative or quantitative study alone.
Hi, Amit,
I find it useful to think of qualitative and quantitative as mutual reinforcing, rather than competitive. They have two distinct purposes. Qualitative studies dig deeply into the lived experience of another to see things from a new and different perspective. In other words, a rigorous qualitative study proposes new possibilities for future testing by quantitative studies. Quantitative studies test hypotheses.
There is no way that any qualitative study on its own merit is going to challenge a rigorous quantitative study for generalized knowledge. However, qualitative studies are desperately needed when quantitative findings conflict. In my view, this usually means that the quantitative studies are not yet asking the right questions or including all of the relevant variables.
Your question is fairly broad and raises multiple epistemological and philosophy of science issues. A recent edited work on qualitative methods has several chapters germane to your question with some addressing the philosophical differences between quant and qual. It is: Copes, H., & Miller, J. M. (Eds.). (2015). The Routledge handbook of qualitative criminology. Routledge.
Hi Amith. Your question makes good sense in the context of the Indian Subcontinent’s academic traditions. However, we need to understand that qualitative and quantitative methodologies serve different purposes of the same line. One way to put this would be that, while we create theories through qualitative research, we develop these theories further with the help of quantitative research. Again, qualitative research is problem-solving research while quantitative research endeavours to generalise theories or apply them to multiple contexts. We can propound that qualitative and quantitative approaches are two ends of the same continuum.
Both qualitative and quantitative researches are to seek the truth, to this end, there are strategies/recommendations as to enhancing trustworthiness/supporting truth in qualitative research (see: Krefting, 1991, p. 217; Shenton, 2004, p. 73; Morrow, 2005, pp. 259-260; Sinkovics et al, 2008, pp. 696-698).
Please also refer to the following papers as to the illustrations/comparison of strengths and weaknesses of quantitative and qualitative researches (see: Schulze, 2003; Johnson and Onwuegbuzie, 2004; Maughan, 2009).
- Johnson, R. B. and Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2004). Mixed Methods Research: A Research Paradigm Whose Time Has Come. Educational Researcher, 33, 7, pp. 14-26.
- Krefting, L. (1991). Rigor in qualitative research: The assessment of trustworthiness. American journal of occupational therapy, 45, 3, pp. 214-222.
- Morrow, S. L. (2005). Quality and Trustworthiness in Qualitative Research in Counseling Psychology. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52, 2, pp. 250-260.
- Rolfe, G. (2006). Validity, trustworthiness and rigour: quality and the idea of qualitative research. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 53, 3, pp. 304-310.
- Schulze, S. (2003). Views on the combination of quantitative and qualitative research approaches. Progressio, 25, 2, pp. 8-20.
- Shenton, A. K. (2004). Strategies for ensuring trustworthiness in qualitative research projects. Education for Information, 22, 2, pp. 63-75.
- Sinkovics, R. R., Penz, E. and Ghauri, P. (2008). Enhancing the trustworthiness of qualitative research in international business. Management International Review, 48, 6, pp. 689-714.
Dear Amit
In my opinion, the space that has been obtaining qualitative research in the scientific community is important, either as the main method of research or within the paradigm of mixed methods. I would like to express three ideas that I consider important:
1. The weight of qualitative methods vary according to discipline. For example in social and human sciences we could draw a continuum where at the one extreme with little presence, we have disciplines such as psychology and economics. In the other end we have anthropology.
2. It is also important to keep in mind that scientific journals also have different openness to qualitative methods.
3. Finally, it is important to use qualitative methods correctly. Its strength is in exploratory research (open the way), or research oriented to the a deep understanding of a topic.
Greetings,
Jorge
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