Question
Download Solution PDFWhich of the following are similarities between qualitative and quantitative research?
(A) Data increase
(B) Answering research questions
(C) Relating data analysis to literature
(D) Variation
(E) Use of null hypotheses
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFThe correct answer is (B), (C), (D) only.
Important Points
Qualitative and quantitative research are two different research methods that can be used to investigate various phenomena. Despite their differences, there are some similarities between these two methods, and the options given can be used to determine which of these similarities apply.
Option (B), answering research questions,
- is a similarity that applies to both qualitative and quantitative research. Both methods are used to answer research questions, and the type of question being asked will determine which way is most appropriate.
Option (C), relating data analysis to literature,
- is also a similarity that applies to both methods. Both qualitative and quantitative researchers will typically review relevant literature to inform their research design and analysis.
Option (D), variation,
- is another similarity between these methods. Both methods seek to understand variation in the data, although they may approach this differently.
- In quantitative research, variation may be measured using statistical methods, while in qualitative research, interpretation may be explored through the analysis of themes and patterns.
- Option (A), data increase, and option (E), use of null hypotheses, are not similarities that apply to both methods.
- Data increase is not necessarily a defining feature of either method, as sample sizes can vary depending on the research question and design
- Null hypotheses are more commonly used in quantitative research, as they are often used to test statistical significance. They are not typically used in qualitative research, which focuses on understanding the meaning and context of the data.
Therefore the correct answer is (B), (C), (D) only.
Key Points
| Quantitative research | Qualitative Research |
|---|---|
| Focuses on testing hypotheses and theories | Focuses on exploring ideas and formulating a theory or hypothesis |
| Analyzed through math and statistical analysis | Analyzed by summarizing, categorizing, and interpreting |
| Mainly expressed in numbers, graphs, and tables | Mainly expressed in words |
| Requires many respondents | Requires few respondents |
| Closed (multiple choice) questions | Open-ended questions |
| Key terms: testing, measurement, objectivity, replicability | Key terms: understanding, context, complexity, subjectivity |
Quantitative research
- Surveys: List closed or multiple choice questions distributed to a sample (online, in person, or over the phone).
- Experiments: Situations in which different types of variables are controlled and manipulated to establish cause-and-effect relationships.
- Observations: Observing subjects in a natural environment where variables can’t be controlled.
Qualitative Research
- Interviews: Asking open-ended questions verbally to respondents.
- Focus groups: Discussion among a group of people about a topic to gather opinions that can be used for further research.
- Ethnography: Participating in a community or organization for an extended period of time to closely observe culture and behavior.
- Literature review: Survey of published works by other authors
Last updated on Jul 21, 2025
-> The UGC NET Final Answer Key 2025 June has been released by NTA on its official website.
-> The UGC NET June 2025 Result has been released on the official website ugcnet.nta.ac.in on 22nd July 2025.
-> The UGC NET June 2025 exam will be conducted from 25th to 29th June 2025.
-> The UGC NET exam takes place for 85 subjects, to determine the eligibility for 'Junior Research Fellowship’ and ‘Assistant Professor’ posts, as well as for PhD. admissions.
-> The exam is conducted bi-annually - in June and December cycles.
-> The exam comprises two papers - Paper I and Paper II. Paper I consists of 50 questions and Paper II consists of 100 questions.
-> The candidates who are preparing for the exam can check the UGC NET Previous Year Papers and UGC NET Test Series to boost their preparations.