Qualitative and quantitative research methods. A comparison using the example of the survey

Term Paper , 16 Pages , Grade: 1,3

Pedagogy - Theory of Science, Anthropology

In this paper, qualitative and quantitative social research will be contrasted. First, the term qualitative social research will be clarified. Then its characteristics are explained in more detail. As a representative of qualitative social research, qualitative interviewing is then presented. This is followed by the clarification of the term and the characteristics of quantitative social research. Here, the written survey is briefly presented as an example. In the last chapter both methods are contrasted and compared on the basis of different criteria.
This thesis is mainly intended to serve as an overview of qualitative and quantitative social research.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• The qualitative method
  • Disambiguation of qualitative social research
  • Characteristics of qualitative social research
  • The qualitative survey
• The quantitative method
• Comparison of qualitative and quantitative methods

Objectives and Key Themes

This paper aims to compare qualitative and quantitative social research methods. It begins by clarifying the concept of qualitative social research, detailing its characteristics and presenting the qualitative survey as an example. Subsequently, the paper discusses the concept and characteristics of quantitative social research, using the written survey as an illustration. Finally, a comparison of both methods is conducted based on various criteria.

• Characteristics of qualitative and quantitative research
• The application of qualitative and quantitative surveys
• Comparison of qualitative and quantitative methods
• The role of objectivity in social research
• The importance of data interpretation in social research

Chapter Summaries

• Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of the paper's purpose, which is to compare qualitative and quantitative social research. It briefly outlines the structure of the paper and the key topics to be covered.
• The qualitative method: This chapter focuses on defining and explaining qualitative social research. It discusses its theory-discovering research logic, the importance of understanding social action in context, and the use of non-numerical data to capture the nuances of social reality. The chapter also explores the characteristics of qualitative research, emphasizing its time-consuming nature, the need for interpretative methods, and the centrality of communication in the research process. Finally, the chapter introduces the qualitative survey as a method of collecting data.

Keywords

This paper examines the core concepts of qualitative and quantitative social research. Key terms and themes include research logic, theory-discovery, objectivity, data collection methods, survey design, data interpretation, and the comparison of methodological approaches.

• College: University of Erfurt
• Grade: 1,3
• Author: Sandra Schubert (Author)
• Pages: 16
• Catalog Number: V1235645
• ISBN (PDF): 9783346639509
• Language: English
• Tags: qualitative