Axioms about

Positivist Paradigm (Quantitative)

Naturalist Paradigm (Qualitative)

The nature of reality

Reality is single, tangible, and fragmentable. 

Realities are multiple, constructed, and holistic. 

The relationship of knower to the known

Knower and known are independent, a dualism. 

Knower and known are interactive, inseparable. 

The possibility of generalization 

Time- and context-free generalizations (nomothetic statements) are possible. 

Only time- and context-bound working hypotheses (idiographic statements) are possible. 

The possibility of causal linkages

There are real causes, temporally precedent to or simultaneous with their effects. 

All entities are in a state of mutual simultaneous shaping, so that it is impossible to distinguish causes from effects. 

The role of values 

Inquiry is value-free.

Inquiry is value-bound.

Quantitative Mode

Qualitative mode

Assumptions

• Social facts have an objective reality 

• Primacy of method 

• Variables can be identified and relationships measured 

• Etic (outside's point of view)

Assumptions

• Reality is socially constructed 

• Primacy of subject matter 

• Variables are complex, interwoven, and difficult to measure 

• Emic (insider's point of view)

Purpose

• Generalizability 

• Prediction 

• Causal explanations

Purpose

• Contextualization 

• Interpretation 

• Understanding actors' perspectives

Approach 

• Begins with hypotheses and theories

• Manipulation and control 

• Uses formal instruments 

• Experimentation 

• Deductive 

• Component analysis 

• Seeks consensus, the norm 

• Reduces data to numerical indices 

• Abstract language in write-up

Approach 

• Ends with hypotheses and grounded theory 

• Emergence and portrayal 

• Researcher as instrument 

• Naturalistic 

• Inductive 

• Searches for patterns 

• Seeks pluralism, complexity 

• Makes minor use of numerical indices 

• Descriptive write-up

Researcher Role

• Detachment and impartiality 

• Objective portrayal

Researcher Role

• Personal involvement and partiality 

• Empathic understanding

Quantitative

Qualitative

"There's no such thing as qualitative data. Everything is either 1 or 0" - Fred Kerlinger

"All research ultimately has a qualitative grounding" - Donald Campbell

In quantitative research we classify features, count them, and construct statistical models in an attempt to explain what is observed.

The aim of qualitative analysis is a complete, detailed, “thick” description.

Recommended during latter phases of research projects.

Recommended during earlier phases of research projects.

Researcher knows clearly in advance what he/she is looking for.

Researcher may only know roughly in advance what he/she is looking for.

All aspects of the study are carefully designed before data is collected.

The design emerges as the study unfolds.

Researcher uses tools, such as questionnaires or equipment to collect numerical data.

Researcher is the data gathering instrument.

Data is in the form of numbers and statistics.

Data is in the form of words, pictures or objects.

Quantitative data is more efficient, able to test hypotheses, but may miss contextual detail.

Qualitative data is more 'rich', time consuming, and less able to be generalized. 

Researcher tends to remain objectively separated from the subject matter.

Researcher tends to become subjectively immersed in the subject matter.