Accurate, credible data is required not only to gauge the efficacy and progress of a project but also to determine the areas of improvement. This is precisely why we come to a pressing query concerning impact measurement—what should be given precedence during the impact measuring exercise of your social project? Qualitative or quantitative data? The thumb rule: Quantitative data will tell you about the problem areas in your impact project while qualitative data will help you understand the cause behind the problem.
Here, we are concerned with organizations, NGOs or individuals engaged in the creation of a socially meaningful impact. Qualitative methods have an equal footing in impact evaluation and can generate sophisticated, robust, and timely data and analysis. These would include, for example, some aspects tied to poverty or standard of living such as self-respect, dignity, security, et cetera. Qualitative data solves this issue. However, other research methods, such as controlled observations and questionnaires can produce both quantitative information.
For example, a rating scale or closed questions on a questionnaire would generate quantitative data as these produce either numerical data or data that can be put into categories e. Experimental methods limit the possible ways in which a research participant can react to and express appropriate social behavior. Findings are therefore likely to be context-bound and simply a reflection of the assumptions which the researcher brings to the investigation.
Statistics help us turn quantitative data into useful information to help with decision making. We can use statistics to summarise our data, describing patterns, relationships, and connections. Statistics can be descriptive or inferential.
Descriptive statistics help us to summarise our data whereas inferential statistics are used to identify statistically significant differences between groups of data such as intervention and control groups in a randomised control study. Context: Quantitative experiments do not take place in natural settings. In addition, they do not allow participants to explain their choices or the meaning of the questions may have for those participants Carr, Researcher expertise: Poor knowledge of the application of statistical analysis may negatively affect analysis and subsequent interpretation Black, Variability of data quantity: Large sample sizes are needed for more accurate analysis.
Small scale quantitative studies may be less reliable because of the low quantity of data Denscombe, This also affects the ability to generalize study findings to wider populations. Confirmation bias: The researcher might miss observing phenomena because of focus on theory or hypothesis testing rather than on the theory of hypothesis generation.
Scientific objectivity: Quantitative data can be interpreted with statistical analysis, and since statistics are based on the principles of mathematics, the quantitative approach is viewed as scientifically objective, and rational Carr, ; Denscombe, Rapid analysis: Sophisticated software removes much of the need for prolonged data analysis, especially with large volumes of data involved Antonius, Replication: Quantitative data is based on measured values and can be checked by others because numerical data is less open to ambiguities of interpretation.
McLeod, S. Qualitative vs. Simply Psychology. Black, T. Doing quantitative research in the social sciences: An integrated approach to research design, measurement and statistics. Braun, V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology , 3, 77— Carr, L.
The strengths and weaknesses of quantitative and qualitative research : what method for nursing?. Journal of advanced nursing, 20 4 , Denscombe, M. The Good Research Guide: for small-scale social research. McGraw Hill. Denzin, N. What can we learn from qualitative research? How can I explain the difference between quantitative and qualitative methods? What is quantitative and qualitative data? What is an example of a quantitative and a qualitative research practice problem?
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