What’s the difference between qualitative and quantitative research?
Explanation: The selected answer, ‘Qualitative studies generate data based on observing a person or thing directly; quantitative data is gathered indirectly,’ accurately distinguishes between qualitative and quantitative research methods. Qualitative research focuses on understanding phenomena through in-depth exploration and observation, often involving techniques such as interviews, focus groups, or ethnographic studies to gather rich, descriptive data directly from participants. This approach allows researchers to uncover nuanced insights, meanings, and perspectives that may not be captured through quantitative methods. In contrast, quantitative research involves the collection of numerical data and statistical analysis to quantify relationships, patterns, or trends within a population or sample. This data is typically obtained indirectly through methods such as surveys, experiments, or observational studies, allowing researchers to generalize findings to a larger population. By recognizing the distinction between qualitative and quantitative research, researchers can choose the most appropriate methods for their research objectives, ensuring that they gather relevant and reliable data to address their research questions effectively. Therefore, understanding the difference between qualitative and quantitative research is essential for designing and conducting rigorous and insightful research studies in various fields.