Which One to Use, Qualitative or Quantitative Analysis?

Which One to Use, Qualitative or Quantitative Analysis?

Introduction

Both qualitative and quantitative analysis is used to gather knowledge about the research topic and requires SPSS help for better understanding. If you have to analyse a critical school of concepts, experiences and thoughts and the same kind of research target you want to establish then choose qualitative analysis, and if you are analysing a pre-established idea in a new context, then choose quantitative analysis.
When you define your research objectives, you need to determine which type of research methodology you will use. Just remember the fact that qualitative is more subjective and less tangible than quantitative, in fact, quantitative analysis is more data-driven and hence counted as statistical analysis. Here we will get the in-core insight into which analysis to be used when facing different research criteria.

SPSS has become an essential software as it is a way to enhance the quality of the data that is being collected with the help of different forms of methods. Make sure that you are very well aware of the functioning of the software so that you can use it properly without getting stressed.

Differences in definition

Qualitative analysis is used when human subjects are involved in research, hence to measure humane properties, values and attributes qualitative research methodology is being used. Whereas, determining statistical values and calculations requires quantitative analysis to be performed. So by the definition, it is clear that qualitative is humanitarian in nature and quantitative is numerical in its approach.
Both of these analyses serve different purposes also. If your research is about finding unexplored ideas and seeking knowledge for an abstract domain of society then it comes under qualitative analysis, on the other hand, if your research is about making some future predictions then you will need to perform quantitative analysis.

Differences in methodology

Qualitative analysis is considered to be exploratory, which means that this analysis aims to acquire in-depth knowledge of the research topic. This analysis is performed as a theoretical structure and concentrates on the ‘Why’ and ‘How’ of the selected research target. Whereas, quantitative analysis is considered to be very precise and conclusive. Since it represents numerical data structure, hence it focuses on statistical derivations rather than seeking the results found in the analysis. Quantitative methodology practices ‘What’, ‘When’, and ‘Where’ about the selected topic.

It is a fact that the analysis of any kind of data needs proper attention and sincerity as many things walk simultaneously with it. There a lot of discussion happens related to the qualitative and quantitative data. The methodologies that are being used in them are a bit different from each other.

Differences in the collection of data

In the case of data collection, qualitative analysis requires relevantly smaller data, i.e. a limited number of participants like 5 to 15, whereas, quantitative analysis requires at least 200 to 300 participants for a questionnaire survey.
To collect qualitative research data, the researcher can use the following methods:

    1. Open-ended interviews, which are structured or semi-structured
    2. Single-question in focus-group discussions
    3. Select a subject and personally observe it

To collect quantitative research data, the researcher can use the following methods:

    1. Close-ended questions for questionnaire survey
    2. Records stored from a list of experiments
    3. Regular observations measurements

Differences in results

Results of qualitative analysis are from selected participants and objects because it uses a minimum number of subjects. Therefore the results of qualitative analysis are not generalised. But the results of quantitative analysis are from a bigger population because this type of analysis uses a large amount of data or a large number of subjects. Hence, The results of quantitative analysis are generalised in nature.

No doubt that there is a difference in the results that are being derived from both the qualitative research methods and quantitative research methods. But that is something which makes them unique in their ways. SPSS being a confined software to evaluate the data provides reliable results that are according to the type considered.

What is qualitative analysis in SPSS?

It is said that statistical analysis software, like SPSS, is best for evaluating quantitative data. Qualitative data is something that talks about the qualities of measurable data. It is gathered with the help of several ways such as surveys, depth interviews, or any other form. The sample size of qualitative data is considered to be very high. It is seen that the qualitative data collection is more which is being evaluated through the software. Many data collection methods are mentioned above for collecting the data. The analysis done by the software provides accurate results.

What is quantitative analysis in SPSS?

Talking about quantitative data analysis then it is something that includes analyzing quantitative data. It deals with the frequencies of quantitative research methods. There are many methods included in the process of evaluating the data. The best part is that it enables researchers to build predictive multiple choice models with the help of procedures that have the feature of advanced statistics. Make sure that you analyze by having the proper open ended questions so that the chances of getting the expected results can increase. The software needs to be used in the right manner.


SPSS data analysis

Conclusion

From all the differences mentioned above, we can say that qualitative analysis is about acquiring in-depth knowledge of the socio-cultural contexts and quantitative analysis works on formerly noted hypotheses to make future predictions. Whatever kind of analysis you use, you can always trust SPSS data analysis for conducting your research effectively without any delays and mistakes. We hope this article helped you identify which methodology you want to choose. Good luck with your research methodology!

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