Qualitative vs. Quantitative Data Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Data - Essay Example Quantitative and qualitative research methods are usually compared, interchanged, and contrasted by researchers themselves. However, one should understand that the two methods are meant to answer different sets of problems. If done correctly, each method can be used as supplementary research and the findings can serve as supporting explanations to the other. Usually, the quantitative method provides theories and hypotheses, and the qualitative method explains, proves, or disproves them. This is exactly what happened to the research done in trying to explain the rise and fall of meth usage in several U.S. states. Looking at the numbers, researchers are dumbfounded to see a similar pattern existing in all states regarding meth usage, despite the different approaches the states use to combat it. The numbers provided by the quantitative research are too general and abstract --- failing to provide the necessary answers to formulate solutions to the said problem. Because of this puzzle, th e researchers used the qualitative method to try to find answers to the questions posed by the graphs. The researchers looked into the history of meth usage and found out descriptive results that tell a story about the connection of meth purity on the streets and the number of people using it.