|
Use this approach if: |
Quantitative |
Qualitative |
|
You believe that: |
there is an objective reality that can be measured |
there are multiple possible realities constructed by different individuals |
|
Your audience is: |
familiar with/supportive of quantitative studies |
familiar with/supportive qualitative studies |
|
Your research question is: |
confirmatory, predictive |
exploratory, interpretive |
|
The available literature is: |
relatively large |
limited |
|
Your research focus: |
covers a lot of breadth |
involves in-depth study |
|
Your time available is: |
relatively short |
relatively long |
|
Your ability/desire to work with people is: |
medium to low |
high |
|
Your desire for structure is: |
high |
low |
|
You have skills in the area(s) of: |
deductive reasoning and statistics |
inductive reasoning and attention to detail |
|
Your writing skills are strong in the area of: |
technical, scientific writing |
literary, narrative writing |