Sociology: qualitative quantitave?

Question

discus the strengths and disadvantages of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods

Answer 1

Qualitative data collection is usually done when a research question is new and the results of phenomena are unknown.  There is a richness in the information elicited, such as convening focus groups for idea generation (as in developing items for a survey).  However, while the info is rich, the results are not precise.

Quantitative analysis complements qualitative as a subsequent step in research to find associations, relationships and causality between variables. The issue with quantitative is that such methods have potential internal validity issues often due to the artificiality of the study.

Answer 2

This method does not comprehend all individual aspects, fluctuations or possible swings in dynamic society.

Answer 3

Qualitative methods can give you overall impressions and good information, but they are imprecise - they cannot tell you the EXACT extent of a problem.

Quantitative methods allow for measurement and precise comparisons, but numbers can sometimes mask the seriousness of a problem. Also, quantitative data can be personal - they cannot answer the question: "Why should we care?"