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Qualitative Methods |
Quantitative Methods |
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Methods include focus groups, in-depth interviews, and reviews |
Surveys |
|
Primarily inductive process used to formulate theory |
Primarily deductive process used to test pre-specified concepts,
constructs, and hypotheses that make up a theory |
|
More subjective: describes a problem or condition from the point of
view of those experiencing it |
More objective: provides observed effects (interpreted by
researchers) of a program on a problem or condition |
|
Text-based |
Number-based |
|
More in-depth information on a few cases |
Less in-depth but more breadth of information across a large number
of cases |
|
Unstructured or semi-structured response options |
Fixed response options |
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No statistical tests |
Statistical tests are used for analysis |
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Can be valid and reliable: largely depends on skill and rigor of the
researcher |
Can be valid and reliable: largely depends on the measurement device
or instrument used |
|
Time expenditure lighter on the planning end and heavier during the
analysis phase |
Time expenditure heavier on the planning phase and lighter on the
analysis phase |
|
Less generalizable |
More generalizable |