Qualitative and Quantitative Research: How to Choose the Best Design

Abstract

It is often difficult to choose between quantitative and qualitative research design. At times, a researcher may choose a design because he or she is more familiar with one method or the other or a colleague recommends a particular design. However, our research will be more helpful if we make our decision based on well-considered, suitable design rather than simply choosing a design that is more familiar or comfortable to the researcher. The purpose of this paper is to introduce graduate students and new researchers to quantitative and qualitative research design and to help them choose the best method based on the type of information needed and analytical capability.