Quantitative and statistical methods are both essential components of scientific research, but they serve distinct purposes and involve different approaches. Quantitative methods primarily involve the collection and analysis of numerical data to answer research questions and test hypotheses. These methods are often used when researchers aim to quantify relationships, patterns, or trends in their data. Quantitative research employs various techniques, such as surveys, experiments, and observational studies, to gather data that can be subjected to mathematical and statistical analyses. Statistical methods, on the other hand, are a subset of quantitative methods. They involve the application of statistical techniques to interpret and draw conclusions from data. Statistical methods provide the tools for summarizing, organizing, and making inferences about the data collected through quantitative methods. These include measures of central tendency, variability, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. In essence, quantitative methods encompass the entire process of data collection and analysis, while statistical methods specifically refer to the statistical tools used to make sense of the quantitative data. Both are indispensable in scientific research, as they allow researchers to make evidence-based conclusions and generalizations from empirical data.
Quantitative methods include both tools for collecting data and tools for analyzing data, where the latter are almost always statistical. Methods for collecting quantitative data include survey questionnaires and experimental designs.
The main difference between quantitative and statistical method is that quantitative method is the process of using numerical data to make decisions while the statistical method is the study of data to find trends or patterns.
Quantitative data analysis simply means analyzing data that is number- based or data that can be easily converted into numbers.
Quantitative analysis is generally used for three purposes.
To measure differences between groups.
To assess relationships between variables.
To test hypotheses in a scientifically rigorous way.
Since quantitative data analysis is about analyzing numbers, it involves statistics. Statistical analysis methods form the engine that powers quantitative analysis, and these methods can vary from basic calculations (for example, averages and medians) to more sophisticated analyses (for example, correlations and regressions).
So as Gaurav H Tandon mentioned, quantitative and statistical methods are both essential components of scientific research.
For detailed explanation about quantitative and statistical methods, you may want to refer to the link provided below.
Quantitative methods involve collecting numerical data, while statistical methods analyze and interpret that data to draw conclusions in scientific research.