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Qualitative or Quantitative? Some Specific Considerations

9 October, 2015 - 11:04

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  1. Describe the role of causality in quantitative research as compared to qualitative research.
  2. Identify, define, and describe each of the three main criteria for causality.
  3. Describe the difference between and provide examples of independent and dependent variables.
  4. Define units of analysis and units of observation, and describe the two common errors people make when they confuse the two.
  5. Define hypothesis, be able to state a clear hypothesis, and discuss the respective roles of quantitative and qualitative research when it comes to hypotheses.

In “Introduction”, we discussed the importance of understanding the differences between qualitative and quantitative research methods. Because this distinction is relevant to how researchers design their projects, we’ll revisit it here.