Qualitative vs Quantitative: Which is Which?

Qualitative is the intrinsic attributes and characteristics, while quantitative focuses on the hard numbers.

You are writing a paper and realize that you do not know which research method to take: qualitative or quantitative. You think long and hard about which method to take, only to realize that you do not know the difference between both. Worry not! Engram is here to guide you in your path to a perfect paper.

These two words are commonly confused due to their similar spellings, but it is crucial to realize their disparate meanings, so that you can use them in appropriate settings.

To provide some background, quantitative and qualitative stem from early scientific discourse and have now become the two pillars in research. The word quantitative has its roots in the Latin words “quantitas”, which means quantity, while qualitative has its roots in “qualitas”, which means quality.

What is the meaning of qualitative?

Qualitative refers to the intrinsic attributes and characteristics of an object or phenomenon. It delves into the subtle nuances, textures, and complexities that define the essence of what is being studied.

Example sentence

The research team conducted a qualitative analysis of the focus group discussions, aiming to uncover the underlying motivations and attitudes of participants towards sustainable living practices.

A "qualitative analysis" in this context refers to the process of examining the content of the discussions to understand the qualitative aspects, such as participants' perceptions, opinions, and deeper insights.

What is the meaning of quantitative?

Quantitative pertains to the measurable aspects of an object or phenomenon. It focuses on numbers, figures, and statistical analysis to quantify and describe the extent, magnitude, and patterns present in a study's subject.

Example sentence

The economist employed a quantitative approach to analyze the impact of the new tax policy on consumer spending habits, utilizing statistical models to measure changes in purchasing behavior.

In this case, the economist used quantitative analysis to examine the effects of the tax policy by collecting and analyzing numerical data related to consumer spending.

Practice questions

The researcher conducted a series of qualitative/quantitative interviews to explore participants' perceptions of workplace diversity.
The artist's work was praised for its qualitative/quantitative brilliance, capturing intricate emotions and conveying a profound narrative through the interplay of colors and textures.
The ethnographic study provided a qualitative/quantitative insight into the daily lives and rituals of the remote indigenous community.
The survey aimed to gather quantitative/qualitative data on consumer preferences, asking participants to rate their satisfaction with different product features on a scale of 1 to 5.
The qualitative/quantitative analysis of the focus group discussions revealed underlying motivations that couldn't be captured through numerical data alone.
The quantitative/qualitative study indicated a clear positive correlation between hours of study and academic performance, with students who studied longer achieving higher grades.
The novel's strength lay in its qualitative/quantitative descriptions, painting vivid scenes that allowed readers to immerse themselves in the protagonist's emotions and surroundings.
The scientist used a quantitative/qualitative methodology to measure the concentration of pollutants in the air samples, generating precise numerical values for analysis.
The economist employed a quantitative/qualitative approach to analyze the relationship between unemployment rates and economic growth over the past decade.
The quantitative/qualitative study indicated a clear positive correlation between hours of study and academic performance, with students who studied longer achieving higher grades.
Using quantitative/qualitative analysis, the research team calculated the average response time of customer service agents to determine areas for improvement in customer support efficiency.

If you still are unsure about which to use, try out Engram where you can submit your English sentences to get immediate feedback and suggestions based on how native English speakers write.