990-19产品经理:Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research: What’s the Difference? 定性与定量研究：区别在哪里？

There are two distinct types of data collection and study: qualitative and quantitative. Although both provide an analysis of data, they differ in their approach and the type of data they collect. Awareness of these approaches can help researchers construct their study and data collection methods.
有两种不同类型的数据收集和研究：定性和定量。虽然两者都提供了数据分析，但它们的方法和收集的数据类型不同。了解这些方法可以帮助研究者构建他们的研究和数据收集方法。

What Is the Difference Between Qualitative定性 vs. Quantitative定量 Research? 定性与定量研究的区别是什么？

Because qualitative and quantitative studies collect different types of data, their data collection methods differ considerably. Quantitative studies rely on numerical or measurable data. In contrast, qualitative studies rely on personal accounts or documents that illustrate in detail how people think or respond within society.
由于定性研究和定量研究所收集的数据类型不同，因此它们的数据收集方法也有较大差异。定量研究依赖于数字或可测量的数据。相比之下，定性研究则依赖于详细说明人们在社会中如何思考或回应的个人陈述或文件。

Qualitative Research: Data Collection for Your Doctorate Degree 定性研究：博士学位的数据收集

Qualitative research methods include gathering and interpreting non-numerical data. The following are some sources of qualitative data1:
Interviews
Focus groups
Documents
Personal accounts or papers
Cultural records
Observation
In the course of a qualitative study, the researcher may conduct interviews or focus groups to collect data that is not available in existing documents or records. To allow freedom for varied or unexpected answers, interviews and focus groups may be unstructured or semi-structured.
An unstructured or semi-structured format allows the researcher to pose open-ended questions and follow wherever the responses lead. The responses provide a comprehensive perspective on each individual’s experiences, which are then compared with those of other participants in the study.
定性研究方法包括收集和解释非数值数据。以下是一些定性数据来源1：
访谈
焦点小组
文件
个人账户或文件
文化记录
观察
在质性研究的过程中，研究者可能会通过访谈或焦点小组来收集现有文献或记录中没有的数据。为了给不同的或意想不到的答案自由，访谈和焦点小组可以是非结构化或半结构化的。
一个非结构化或半结构化的格式允许研究人员提出开放式的问题，并遵循任何响应导致。这些回答对每个人的经历提供了一个全面的视角，然后与研究中的其他参与者进行比较。

Quantitative Research: Data Collection for Your Doctorate Degree 定量研究：博士学位的数据收集

Quantitative studies, in contrast, require different data collection methods. These methods include compiling numerical data to test causal relationships among variables. Some forms of data collection for this type of study include1:
Experiments
Questionnaires
Surveys
Database reports
The above collection methods yield data that lends itself to numerical analysis. Questionnaires in this case have a multiple-choice format to generate countable answers, such as “yes” or “no,” which can be turned into quantifiable data.
相比之下，定量研究需要不同的数据收集方法。这些方法包括编制数值数据来测试变量之间的因果关系。这类研究的一些数据收集形式包括：
实验
问卷调查
调查
数据库报表
上述收集方法产生的数据适合于数值分析。在这种情况下的问卷有一个多项选择的格式，以产生可数的答案，如“是”或“否”，它可以变成可量化的数据。

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Outcomes 定性与定量结果

One of the factors distinguishing qualitative from quantitative studies is the nature of the intended outcome. Qualitative researchers seek to learn from details of the testimonies of those they are studying. Over the course of a study, conclusions are drawn by compiling, comparing and evaluating the participants’ feedback and input. Qualitative research is often focused on answering the “why” behind a phenomenon, correlation or behavior.
In contrast, quantitative data are analyzed numerically to develop a statistical picture of a trend or connection. Such statistical results may shed light on cause-and-effect relationships, and they may either confirm or disprove the study’s original hypothesis. Whether positive or negative, the outcome can enrich understanding of a subject and spark action. Quantitative research is often focused on answering the questions of “what” or “how” in regards to a phenomenon, correlation or behavior.
区分定性研究和定量研究的因素之一是预期结果的性质。定性研究者寻求从他们正在研究的人的证词的细节中学习。在研究过程中，通过汇编、比较和评估参与者的反馈和投入得出结论。质性研究往往侧重于回答一个现象、相关性或行为背后的“为什么”。
相比之下，定量数据通过数值分析来发展趋势或联系的统计图。这样的统计结果可能会揭示因果关系，它们可能会证实或否定研究最初的假设。无论是正面的还是负面的，结果都可以丰富对一个主题的理解，激发行动。定量研究往往侧重于回答“是什么”或“如何”的问题。关于一个现象，相关性或行为。

Benefits and Limitations of Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research 定性与定量研究的优势和局限性

Another difference between qualitative and quantitative research lies in their advantages and limitations. Each form of research has benefits and shortcomings. Researchers must consider their hypotheses and what forms of data collection and analysis are likely to produce the most relevant findings.
定性研究和定量研究的另一个区别在于它们的优势和局限性。每种形式的研究都有优点和缺点。研究人员必须考虑他们的假设，以及什么形式的数据收集和分析可能产生最相关的结果。

Benefits of Qualitative Research 定性研究的好处

There are some significant benefits of qualitative research that should be considered when evaluating the difference between qualitative and quantitative research. The qualitative method allows for creativity, varied interpretations and flexibility. The scope of the research project can change as more information is gathered.
在评估定性研究和定量研究之间的差异时，应该考虑到定性研究的一些显著好处。定性方法允许创造性、不同的解释和灵活性。当收集到更多的信息时，研究项目的范围可以改变。

Limitations of Qualitative Research 质性研究的局限性

Qualitative studies are more subjective in their results and interpretation than are quantitative studies. The expertise and perspective of the researcher may strongly influence the interpretation of results and the conclusions reached, because personal bias can be hard to manage. In addition, qualitative studies often test a smaller sample size due to the costs and efforts associated with qualitative data collection methods.1
定性研究在结果和解释上比定量研究更主观。研究人员的专业知识和观点可能会强烈影响对结果的解释和得出的结论，因为个人偏见很难管理。此外，由于定性数据收集方法的成本和努力，定性研究通常测试的样本容量较小。

Benefits of Quantitative Research 定量研究的好处

The similarities of qualitative and quantitative research do not encompass their respective benefits, because each approach has unique advantages. For example, unlike qualitative studies, quantitative studies produce objective data, and their results can be clearly communicated through statistics and numbers. Quantitative studies can be quickly analyzed with the benefit of data computing software.
定性和定量研究的相似之处并不包括它们各自的好处，因为每种方法都有独特的优势。例如，与定性研究不同，定量研究产生的是客观的数据，其结果可以通过统计和数字清楚地传达。定量研究可以通过数据计算软件进行快速分析。

Limitations of Quantitative Research 定量研究的局限性

Yet, although objectivity is a benefit of the quantitative method, this approach can be viewed as a more restrictive form of study. Participants cannot tailor their responses or add context. Furthermore, statistical analysis requires a large data sample, which calls for a large pool of participants.1
然而，虽然客观性是定量方法的一个好处，这种方法可以被看作是一种更具限制性的研究形式。参与者不能定制他们的响应或添加上下文。此外，统计分析需要大量的数据样本，这就需要大量的参与者。

How To Analyze Qualitative vs. Quantitative Data 如何分析定性与定量数据

Another of the similarities of qualitative and quantitative research is that both look for patterns in the data they collect that point to a relationship between elements. Both qualitative and quantitative data are instrumental in supporting existing theories and developing new ones. Ultimately, the researcher must determine which kind of research best serves the goals of their study.
定性研究和定量研究的另一个相似之处是，两者都在数据中寻找模式它们集合指向元素之间的关系。定性和定量数据都有助于支持现有的理论和发展新的。最终，研究者必须确定哪种研究最能服务于他们的研究目标。

Analyzing Qualitative Data 分析定性数据

Because qualitative data doesn’t allow for numerical data analysis, any analytical approach must be developed with care and caution. Here are a few different methods of qualitative data analysis, as follows:
Content analysis: Groups together similar concepts, themes and words that emerge from the data in order to understand interrelationships
Discourse analysis: Evaluates the way in which people often express themselves in various contexts through the lens of cultural and power dynamics
Thematic analysis: Seeks to understand the true meaning behind subjects’ words by uncovering recurrent themes in the data
因为定性数据不允许数值数据分析，所以任何分析方法都必须谨慎小心地开发。下面介绍几种不同的定性数据分析方法，具体如下：
内容分析：将数据中出现的相似概念、主题和词汇组合在一起，以理解相互关系
话语分析：通过文化和权力动态的视角，评估人们在各种语境中表达自己的方式
主题分析：通过揭示数据中反复出现的主题，寻求理解受试者话语背后的真正含义

Analyzing Quantitative Data 分析定量数据

The question of how to analyze quantitative data is slightly more straightforward compared to the various approaches for qualitative data. When working with quantitative data, doctoral researchers will generally review the collected data and organize it into visual elements, such as charts and graphs.
The data can be evaluated using either descriptive or inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics provide an avenue for describing the population or data set. Inferential statistics can be used to generalize results, as well as to project future trends or predictions about a larger dataset or population.
与定性数据的各种方法相比，如何分析定量数据的问题稍微简单一些。在处理定量数据时，博士研究人员一般会审查收集到的数据，并将其组织成可视化的元素，如图表和图形。
这些资料可以用描述统计学或推断统计学来评估。描述性统计为描述总体或数据集提供了一种途径。推理统计学可以用来归纳结果，也可以用来预测未来的趋势或预测一个更大的数据集或人口。

Become a Qualitative or Quantitative Researcher 成为定性或定量研究人员

Some researchers choose to adhere to and hone a single methodological approach throughout their time as doctoral learners — or in their profession. Research skills are critical in a variety of  careers.
If you have a desire to conduct research, a qualitative or quantitative doctoral degree can support your initiative. Throughout your program, you will learn methods for constructing a qualitative or quantitative study and producing written research findings.
一些研究者选择在他们作为博士学习者的整个时间里，或者在他们的专业中，坚持和磨练一种单一的方法论方法。研究技能在各种职业中都是至关重要的。
如果你有进行研究的愿望，定性或定量的博士学位可以支持你的主动性。在整个项目中，你将学习构建定性或定量研究的方法，并产生书面研究结果。