1. Qualitative/Quantitative Methodologies
A Three View Comparison

2. The Standard View from text
Quantitative
Create categories prior to investigation.
Use of a large number of subjects (e.g., over 30).
Use statistical techniques to analyze the results
Usually collects data with questionnaire, structured interviews, observations
Qualitative
Categories emerge as a result of investigation.
Use of a small number of subjects (e.g., sometimes only 4 or 5 sometimes n=1).
Use narrative techniques to analyze the results
Usually collects data with unstructured interview, observations, logs/journals.

3. The Continuum View Alter & Evens Evaluating Social Work Practice
Qualitative and Quantitative methodologies fall on a continuum:
Qualitative Quantitative
Every type of research projects include elements both methodologies. Some more than others.

4. The Interaction View DePoy & Gitlin Introduction to Research
Actually, researchers bounce between both methods:
Qualitative
Quantitative