Assignment 1: Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research
Assignment 1: Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research
Under what conditions would an industrial/organizational (I/O) professional choose a qualitative research method over a quantitative research method when investigating a workplace problem or phenomenon? Support your position with at least two scholarly sources.
To help you organize your notes for this assignment, consider the following chart that provides an overview of differences between quantitative and qualitative research methodologies:
QuantitativeQualitativeApproachIs deductive (primarily) and then inductiveIs inductive (primarily) and then deductivePurposeTests theories, makes predictions, establishes facts, and tests hypothesesDescribes multiple realities, develops a deep understanding, and captures everyday life and human perspectivesResearch focusIsolates variables, uses large samples, and collects data using tests and formal instrumentsExamines the full context, interacts with a limited number of participants, and collects data face-to-face from participantsResearch goals
- Confirms or disconfirms theory
- Finds central tendency, what iscommon
- Tests hypotheses
- Classifies participants
- Uses statistics
- Researchesonparticipants
- Examines lived experiences
- Is particular and idiosyncratic
- Transforms society
- Empowers participants
- Has a rich description
- Researcheswith and forparticipants
Research plan
- Is developed before the study is initiated
- Is a structured, formal proposal
- Begins with an initial idea that evolves as the researcher learns more about the participants and setting
- Is a flexible and tentative proposal
Data analysisIs mainly statistical and quantitativeIs mainly interpretive and descriptiveResults presentationInvolves a formal writing style and impersonal voiceInvolves a less-formal writing style and personal voice
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