QUANTITATIVE & QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN

SOCIAL SCIENCENGUYEN THU QUYNH – I34035

Introduction to International Relations

QuestionWhat is qualitative research in social science? What

is quantitative research? What are the differences

and similarities between the two? Please provide

one example of research question that can be

answered by utilizing quantitative research method?

Likewise, what kinds of research questions would be

amenable to qualitative research method? Please

provide one example. Why do these research

questions call for different research methods, i.e.,

qualitative and quantitative research methods?

Outline

Comparison: Quantitative vs Qualitative

Different Methods for Different Questions

Case: US Presidential Election 2008

1

2

3

Research“Study of a subject, in order to discover new facts or test new ideas”Longman Dictionary

Steps in conducting research Identification of research problem

Literature review

Specifying the purpose of research

Determine specific research questions or hypotheses

Data collection

Analyzing and interpreting the data

Reporting and evaluating research

Communicating the research findings and, possibly, recommendations

Qualitative vs Quantitative Research

Criteria Quantitative Qualitative

Question formulation

Application forms, Questionnaires, IQ tests, Measurements, …

Document review, participant observations, Interviews, Focus group, Workshops, …

Forms of data collected

Numerical and Statistical data.

Interviews, Open-ended questions, etc.

Data analysis Describe, measure, predict, deduct, …

Explore, explain, understand, induct, …

ResultGeneralizable findings that can be applied to other populations

Particular or specialized findings that is less generalizable.

Observable areas Quantities, Scales, Trends, …

Qualities, Behaviors, Complexities, …

Different Methods for Different

Questions

Drag picture to placeholder or click icon to add

Why Different Methods?

1. Research Purpose

2. Observable Areas

3. Time & Resources Limitations

Case studyUS Presidential Election

2008

Quantitative MethodEvaluate the electoral effects of Republican John McCain’s abrupt change in a presidential candidate’s perceived ideological position (Mutz and Dilliplane)

Qualitative MethodEmploy Qualitative techniques to observe voters’ reactions to any events from the candidate’s party (Democratic)

THANK YOU!

Q & A