How can I tell the difference between quantitative and qualitative articles?

Answer

Quantitative	Qualitative
Methods of data collection include: questionnaires, data mining (such as chart review), scales (ex. Likert)	Methods of data collection include: focus groups, interviews, open-ended question surveys
Data analysis: Statistical (uses software like SPSS)	Data analysis: Thematic*
Results are numbers focused, looks for relationships (correlation) among variables, effectiveness of interventions	Results are a narrative (story), quotes from participants or surveys**
Focuses on measurement	Focuses on description
Often has larger sample sizes - randomization	Often has small sample sizes - purposeful (snowball)
Rigor: Reliability and validity	Rigor: Trustworthiness
Looks for generalizability***	Not meant to be generalizable
Tests theory	Develops theories and frameworks

Some research will include both quantitative and qualitative research methods, also known as mixed methods.

Mixed methods research involves collecting and analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data.
- Example: A researcher may collect data using a quantitative data instrument, such as a survey. The researcher may then follow up by interviewing a subset of the participants to learn more detailed information about some of the survey responses, providing a more thorough understanding of the results.
  - For example: A researcher sends out a questionnaire (quantitative) to 100 stay at home moms to ask about their household spending habits. To follow up, they want to interview (qualitative) a smaller group of these participants to ask them more in-depth questions about how they come up with their budget.
- Example: The researcher uses focus groups to collect information regarding a topic and then uses a quantitative survey with a larger group to validate the responses of the focus group.
  - For example: A researcher holds a focus group (qualitative) with 10 stay at home moms to ask them about their household spending habits and budgets. Based on the comments from the focus group, the researcher writes a survey (quantitative) to send out to 100 stay at home moms to see if their responses match that of the smaller focus group.

*Thematic analysis involves collecting data until no more new themes are identified from participants.

Example: First year nursing students were interviewed regarding clinical experience and the following themes emerged: fear or failure, anxiety, lack of confidence

**A qualitative article may have tables with quantitative data (numbers, percentages) that describes the sample group, such as by age or sex.

***Generalizability is the extent to which results, or findings obtained from a sample are applicable to a broader population. Generalizability can be “good” or “poor” depending on the study.

Example: Researchers randomly select and survey 30 high school seniors at Franklin High School on their vaping use. Can these results be generalized to the entire senior class of 400? Or to other high school senior classes in the community? or other grade levels? If the study can be generalized to large populations, generalizability is good, if not it is poor.

Adapted from:

Grove, S. K., Gray, J. R., Bomer-Norton, C. J., & Daniel, K. M. (2019). Understanding nursing research: Building an evidence-based practice. Elsevier.

https://moc.libguides.com/c.php?g=661986&p=6906810

https://cirt.gcu.edu/research/develop/research_ready/mixed_methods/

https://dictionary.apa.org/generalizability