Handouts Lesson-2-3

Lesson 2: Differentiating Qualitative Method From Quantitative Method
Activity: The Good and The Bad

Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of quantitative and qualitative methods will help you make
a better decision as to the appropriate approach to use. Both methods are quite useful depending on
the type of study.
QUANTITATIVE ADVANTAGES
You may be very familiar with quantitative research from your science classes where you learned and
practiced using the scientific method. A problem or question is examined by deductively forming a
hypothesis derived from theory. Controlled, objective testing and experimentation ultimately supports
or rejects your hypotheses. Each step is standardized to reduce bias when collecting and analyzing
data. A big advantage of this approach is that the results are valid, reliable and generalizable to a larger
population. Quantitative research is advantageous for studies that involve numbers, such as measuring
achievement gaps between different groups of students or assessing the effectiveness of a new blood
pressure medication.
QUANTITATIVE DISADVANTAGES
While quantitative research methods work well in the laboratory under tightly controlled conditions,
measuring phenomena like human behavior in natural settings is trickier. Survey instruments are
vulnerable to errors such as mistakes in measurement and flawed sampling techniques. Another
disadvantage is that quantitative research involves numbers, but some topics are too difficult to
quantify in numbers. For example, constructing an effective survey with closed-ended questions about
how people fall in love would be difficult.
QUALITATIVE ADVANTAGES
Qualitative research is often used to conduct social and behavioral studies because human interactions
are more complex than molecular reactions in a beaker. Subjectivity, nonrandom sampling and small
sample size distinguishes qualitative research from quantitative research. A big advantage of
qualitative research is the ability to deeply probe and obtain rich descriptive data about social
phenomena through structured interviews, cultural immersion, case studies and observation, for
instance. Examples include ethnography, narratives and grounded theory.
QUALITATIVE DISADVANTAGES
Qualitative studies often take more time to complete due to the painstaking nature of gathering and
analyzing field notes, transcribing interviews, identifying themes and studying photographs, for
instance. Studies are not easily replicable or generalizable to the general population. Conscious or
unconscious bias can influence the researcher’s conclusions. Lacking rigorous scientific controls and
numerical data, qualitative findings may be dismissed by some researchers as anecdotal information.
(Source:https://prezi.com/mw2fn_olmvtn/basic-research-terms-and-concepts-and-the-research-
process/)
Many times those that undertake a research project often find they are not aware of the differences
between Qualitative Research and Quantitative Research methods. Many mistakenly think the two
terms can be used interchangeably.
Quantitative methods are ideally suited for finding out who, what, when and where. Likewise with
qualitative methods, it also seeks out the who, what, however, it does not focus on the when and
where. Additionally, it includes the question how. In relation to this information, research gives
statements with proofs through careful observations and calculations.
The main purpose of research is to inform action, to prove a theory, and contribute to developing
knowledge in a field or study. Below are 7 significance of research (Zarah 2019).
1. A Tool for Building Knowledge and for Facilitating Learning
2. Means to Understand Various Issues and Increase Public Awareness
3. An Aid to Business Success
4. A Way to Prove Lies and to Support Truths
5. Means to Find, Gauge, and Seize Opportunities
6. A Seed to Love Reading, Writing, Analyzing, and Sharing Valuable Information
7. Nourishment and Exercise for the Mind
Activity: QUALITATIVE VS. QUANTITATIVE

All of the observations in this activity were qualitative; that is, you observed a quality about an object (it
smelled good, it was green, etc.). Another type of observation is quantitative, meaning that it can be
described or measured in concrete numerical terms.
The following observations are quantitative:
There are 30 students in my class. I weigh 98 pounds. 1 ate a pound of potatoes. Determine which of
the following statements is quantitative and which is qualitative. Write QUANTI if it is quantitative, and
QUALI if it is qualitative.
1. _____________ The cup had a mass of 454 grams.
2. _____________ The temperature outside is 250 C.
3. _____________ It is warm outside.
4. _____________ The tree is 30 feet tall.
5. _____________ The building has 25 stories.
6. _____________ The building is taller than the tree.
7. _____________ The sidewalk is long.
8. _____________ The sidewalk is 100 meters long.
9. _____________ The race was over quickly.
10. _____________ The race was over in 10 minutes.
Lesson 3: Elements of Research Paper

Activity: Fill-in the blanks to complete the statements below
1. _________________ is often shown in tables and figures.
2. _________________ are descriptive information that let readers search for an article.
3. _________________ it answers the questions in the Research.
4. _________________ are the materials the author/s cited when writing the research.
5. _________________ discusses the results of the research.
6. _________________ is where the readers know what the research is about.
7. _________________ answers the “why” question in the research.
8. _________________ answers the “how” question in the research.
9. _________________ answers the “so what” question in the research.
10. _________________ answers the “what” question in the research.
Activity: Tell Me Truth or Tell Me False

Read the statements below and identify if they are true or false. Write on the blanks
before the number TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if it is not.
________1. The introduction of the research paper gives an overview of any issues involved with
the subject.
________ 2. Statements in the introduction should not be paraphrased, it should be copied word
per word.
________ 3. The body of the research paper, use strong evidence from sources—paraphrases,
summaries, and quotations that support the main points
________ 4. The body clearly present the main points of the paper as listed in the thesis.
________ 5. Highlight background information on the topic needed to understand the direction
of the paper is found in the body of the research.
________ 6. Conclusion should restate your thesis from the introduction in different words.
________ 7. Use transitions between main points and between examples within the main points
________ 8. The introduction must end with a THESIS statement that tells what the overall
paper will focus on.
________ 9. Briefly outline the main points in the paper in the conclusion part.
________ 10. The conclusion end with a strong clincher statement an appropriate, meaningful
final sentence that ties the whole point of the paper together.
Activity: Filling in those blanks

To check your understanding of the lesson, answer the following questions on your answer sheet.
1. What are the kinds of research methods?
a. ________________________________ b.________________________________
2. List the elements of a research
a. ________________________________ e. ________________________________
b. ________________________________ f. ________________________________
c. ________________________________ g. ________________________________
d. ________________________________
3.What is the importance of research in our everyday life? Write 2-3 sentences for your answer.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
4. Write 5 technical or terminologies in research
1. _________________________
2. _________________________
3. _________________________
4. _________________________
5. _________________________

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Lesson 2: Differentiating Qualitative Method From Quantitative Method

Activity: The Good and The Bad

Activity: QUALITATIVE VS. QUANTITATIVE

Lesson 3: Elements of Research Paper

Activity: Tell Me Truth or Tell Me False

Activity: Filling in those blanks

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