Quantitative data
1-Qualitative and quantitative methods both are unique with each-other and have both advantages and disadvantages, mostly quantitative data includes closed-end information and deals with statistical analysis and results are usually in numbers. Quantitative data is mostly subjective and are open ended (Grove, Gary, & Burns, 2015).
It is believed by many researchers that combined use of both qualitative and quantitative methods in study increases reliability and outcomes of research. Combined use of these methods allows the use of varieties of approaches that answers the research questions which would not have been possible using single method (Doyle, Brady, & Byrne, 2009)
The term that describes use of both methods is known as mixed method s research or third method and is believed to have huge benefit for health and science researches. The advantages of this type of research are the results or outcomes of the research may include both statistical analysis and observational evidence and support for the finding, researches can use both words and numbers to communicate. The disadvantages of this methods are they usually are time consuming as they involve tools of both method, they require more resources to collect both types of data (Grove, Gary, & Burns, 2015).
References:
Doyle, L., Brady, A.-M., & Byrne, G. (2009). An overview of mixed methods research. Journal of Research in Nursing, 14(2), 175–185. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987108093962
Grove, S. K., Gray, J., & Burns, N. (2015). Understanding nursing research: Building an evidence-based practice. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier
2-According to Lancaster University management school, advantages of qualitative research is that the researcher can usually insert and in depth and rich description of the study. This makes it good for research where in detailed understanding is required leading to a more holistic view of the subject. However, the study cannot always be generalizable because either the sample population is too small, or the research topic is to subjective therefore careful consideration needs to be done in these two fronts. Also, it is not always easy to interpret the study due to its descriptive nature therefore the researcher need to take great care in identifying themes and carefully mold the conclusion.
The advantages of quantitative method of research is that the larger sample sizes available for these types of studies often make the conclusions generalizable to the target population. This type of research is appropriate for situations where systematic, standardized comparisons are needed. Therefore statistical methods mean that the analysis is often considered reliable.
The disadvantages are it does not always shed light on the full complexity of human experience or perceptions therefore the research may not feel holistic. This might also give a false impression of homogeneity in a sample (2016).
Reference
Lancaster University Management School (2016, June 28). Lums Effective Learning. Retrieved from Qualitative and quantitative research: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/media/lancaster.university/content-assets/documents/learning-skills/quantitativevquanlitativeresearchanswers.pdf
3- Chanthakone, to further support the use of both methods, Wisdom and Creswell states, Comparing samples through collecting both types of data at roughly the same time; assessing information using parallel constructs for both types of data; separately analyzing both types of data; and comparing results through procedures such as a side-by-side comparison in a discussion, transforming the qualitative data set into quantitative scores, or jointly displaying both forms of data can validate findings. An example presented is, the investigator can gather qualitative data to assess the personal experiences of patients while also gathering data from survey instruments measuring the quality of care. The two types of data can provide validation for each other and also create a solid foundation for drawing conclusions about the intervention.
Reference
Wisdom, J., & Creswell, J. (2013). Mixed Methods: Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis While Studying Patient-Centered Medical Home Models. Retrieved from https://pcmh.ahrq.gov/page/mixed-methods-integrating-quantitative-and-qualitative-data-collection-and-analysis-while
