In order to provide a better understanding, solution, or proof to turn a hypothesis into a theoretical practice; data must be collected to provide a confirmation. Since the beginning of time that man has been able to remember, we have collected data whether through stories that have been passed through generations, to actual recordings that began on stone tablets and currently remain saved in computers, books, and physical memory. We have relied on the collection of data to make decisions that propel the human race into the next era of technical development and business growth. The type of data varies as it can either be quantified or qualitative to meet the needs and purpose of the research. The age old question has always been which of the two is the most preferred methodology, but the real question should be how both mirror the theme of statistics to provide the closest range to the point of accuracy while minimizing the margin of error. As we compare and contrast qualitative and quantitative research methods, we will attempt to confirm which one is the better of the two, but how both apply the law of statistics to answer the research question with the highest level of accuracy.
Qualitative research provides an in-depth analytical perspective on the data collected. “Unlike the case with quantitative data, both researcher and research sponsor often have more significant involvement in collecting and interpreting qualitative data”. (Schindler 2013, p.166) Qualitative research is more in tune with the emotional and personal data being collected for the study; a collection of person opinions in regards to the research conducted. “Qualitative research gathers information that is not in numerical form. For example, diary accounts, open-ended questionnaires, unstructured interviews and unstructured observations”. (McLeod, 2008) Qualitative data requires expert