I think to put it simply, both research aim to solve issues in entire humanities.

Quantitative research is generally associated with statistical analysis, aka math some kind of niches (e.g., survey questionnaire, Structural equation modelling, bayesian methods). Through these, you will approach your results objectively.

In contrast, qualitative research is about how do you reflect on human interactions, inner monologues, and self-reflexive practices through, let us say, interviews, autoethnography, duoethnography, action research, and so on. Therefore, it is highly subjective. But the good news is that qualitative research helps you navigate you through some extremely complicated questions related to human beings. In my case as a future educator, I am particularly amazed by qualitative inquiries.

Due to their opposing nature, you also need to consider the suitable paradigms they fit in for disparate inquiries.

I hope this helps.

Wenyang Wei A very interesting and important answer

Quantitative research focuses on numerical data and wants to measure or quantify variables, often using surveys or experiments. It aims to identify patterns or test hypotheses through statistical analysis, providing objective, generalizable results.

Qualitative research deals with non-numerical data, aiming to understand people's experiences, behaviors, motivations… it uses methods like interviews or observations, focusing on rich descriptions and insights rather than statistical patterns. Quantitative research is structured and rigid, while qualitative research is more flexible and exploratory.

Very interesting and important answer

How narratives are central to understanding quantitative outcomes

To make sense of complex data, research must go beyond numbers...

"In research, a wealth of rich quantitative data is little use without accompanying qualitative information that can contextualise them and enable their understanding. To be effective and to reach stakeholders, research needs to tell a story beyond numbers. This issue has a broad social significance given the risk of misinterpretation and inaccessibility when publishing outcomes as data, and points to need for a transferable, intuitive framework for conceptualising, contextualising, and communicating quantitative outcomes..."

https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2025/05/19/how-narratives-are-central-to-understanding-quantitative-outcomes/

Very interesting and important answer