Qualitative
Detailed subjective evaluation, used to capture views of individuals’ and groups.
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Qualitative analysis
The evaluation of data from qualitative research, for example, text data from interview transcripts.
Qualitative research
Qualitative research is used to explore and understand people’s beliefs, experiences, attitudes or behaviours. It asks questions about how and why. Qualitative research might ask questions about why people want to stop smoking. It won’t ask how many people have tried to stop smoking. Qualitative researchers use methods like focus groups and interviews (telephone and face-to-face interviews). This research does not collect data in the form of numbers but might collect data in the form of interview transcripts, or notes from focus groups.
Quantitative
Numerical evaluation of an intervention.
Quantitative analysis
Numerical evaluation of data.
Quantitative research
In quantitative research, researchers collect data in the form of numbers. So they measure things or count things. Quantitative research might ask a question like how many people visit their GP each year, or what proportion of children have had an MMR vaccine, or whether a new drug lowers blood pressure more than the drugs that are usually used. Quantitative researchers use methods like clinical trials.
Questionnaire
A questionnaire is a prepared set of written questions used to obtain information from research participants. Questionnaires can be completed on paper, using a computer or with an interviewer.