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Nursing and Health Sciences Research Methods: Quantitative vs Qualitative

A comprehensive guide to Moye Library's resources related to nursing and the health sciences.

Quantitative vs Qualitative

What's the Difference? 

Qualitative 

Quantitative

cannot be counted numerically can be counted numerically, quantifiable
focuses on description of qualities over measurement focuses on measurement over description 
often takes place in a naturalistic environment  often takes place in a controlled environment 
does not employ statistical analysis  employs statistical analysis 

Examples: focus groups, interviews, open-ended surveys 

(unstructured responses)

Examples: close-ended surveys, data analysis

(structured responses) 

Clues to Identifying Quantitative vs Qualitative Studies

What to Look for in Quantitative Research:

  • numbers
  • charts and graphs
  • the word "quantitative" or specific statistical analysis methods
  • trying to compare two variables using numerical data 

What to Look for in Qualitative Research: 

  • the word "qualitative" and no statistical analysis methods
  • descriptive words and/or feelings
  • narration (reads more like it tells a story)
  • lack of numerical data
  • case studies, histories 
  • trying to develop an understanding of something that cannot be quantified

Some research will include both quantitative and qualitative research methods, also known as mixed methods. (For a more complete definition of mixed methods go to this link.) 

Examples of Clues in Article Abstracts

Below are examples of abstracts with "clues" that hint at a quantitative or qualitative methodology. 

This abstract (a summary of the article) includes numerical data. This article might use quantitative methods. It also uses the words "quantitative analysis" in the title and/or description. 

Quantitative

The following article abstract/summary uses the term qualitative, but also has other clues. It does not include numerical data, but provides a description of what is being studied that cannot be described numerically. Looking at the methodology section of this article will help determine further what types of research methods are used, but it looks like a qualitative study. 

Qualitative

 

In order to determine what research methods are used in a study, you must look at the full-text article and find a section of the article that is titled "Methodology" or "Methods" or a portion of the article that describes how the researchers conducted the study (what they did, what they intended to find, etc.).