Key Points: Quantitative vs. Qualitative research

Last week I reviewed Ch 2 material on the relationship between theory and research.  I began by explaining that there were two types of social research: quantitative and qualitative.  Each is associated with its own ontology, epistemology and direction of theorizing.

Quantitative research is associated with realism, positivism, and deduction.

Qualitative research is associated with the constructivism, interpretivism, and induction.

We worked through an example of each.  In the first example, we tested our theory of political ideology by surveying 1000 YU undergrads.  Everyone was asked the same question and given the same response options.  In both tutorials, we had to reject our hypothesis because the survey results were below the minimum threshold.  Our data did not support the theory we were testing.  All steps were predetermined and the research was objective and could be easily replicated with similar results. 

In the second example, I was running for office and needed to develop and idea of what issues were important to you as voters.  I personally interviewed each of you.  We chatted for a bit a what issue was important to you, why it was important, and what kinds of things I could do if elected to help address your concerns.  My assistant took interview notes and then as a class we looked at all the data and tried to develop a broader understanding of what most voters wanted.  Every interview was different and raised different issues, explanations, and solutions.  I learned a lot more about what was important to all of you, but keep in mind that another group of students might have voiced entirely different issues and solutions.

Hopefully these examples helped clarify the relationship between theory and research.  And hopefully it’s clear why the different examples represented specific ontological and epistemological assumptions and directions of theorizing.  Come see me in office hours is you still have questions.

On a separate note, thank you for humoring me through the examples.  I was elated with the level of participation by everyone last week!

See you Monday.