Brief Overview of Qualitative & Quantitative Research

Historical Review

Quantitative Research:• Emerged in the late 19th century to the beginning 20th century • Initiated by researches from physical sciences, physics and

chemistery.• Focus of observation: identifying educational patterns by

assessing or measuring individual abilities, collecting scores or numbers.

• Three historical trends: statistical procedures, test and measurement practices, research design.

Historical Review

Qualitative Research:• Developed during the late 19th century to the beginning of

20th century• Used in education more recent than that of quantitative

research• Three themes that shape its history in education:

philosophical ideas, procedural developments, participatory and advocacy practices.

Identifying Research Problems

Quantitative Research

• A description of trends or an explanation of the relationship among variables

Qualitative Research• An exploration in which

little is known about the problem

• A detailed understanding of a central phenomenon

Reviewing the Literature

Quantitative Research• Provide major role through

suggesting the research questions to be asked

• Justify the research problem and create a need for the direction of the study

Qualitative Research• Play a minor role in

suggesting a specific research question to be asked

• Justify the importance of studying the research problem