When To Use Qualitative Vs Quantitative Statistics

Assignment When To Use Qualitative Vs Quantitative Statisticsfor Th

Assignment - When to use Qualitative vs. Quantitative Statistics For this assignment you are to write a 1-page paper with at least 2 references. The contents of the paper should address when it is most appropriate to use Qualitative vs. Quantitative Statistics. Use examples to support your decision.

Lesson Content: Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative research? To get a better understanding you have to understand quantitative vs. qualitative data and quantitative vs. qualitative statistics. Quantitative vs. Qualitative Data · Quantitative Data is data that is in the form of numbers that can be measured using the nominal scale of measurement. Quantitative research generates numerical data or information that can be converted into numbers. · Qualitative Data is non-numeric. Qualitative data is descriptive data that can be in the form of questions and interviews or observations research gathers information that is not in numerical form. Quantitative vs. Qualitative Statistics · Quantitative Statistics is the study based on numerical data as its basis. Many times this type of study answers the question - How many. · Qualitative Statistics is a study based on information, observations and types of descriptive results. A command example of qualitative statistics is the results of Patients Satisfaction Score. As you approach doing a research study, one of the first questions you have to ask yourself is will this be a qualitative study, quantitative study, or a combination of both. Final project 1 5 Operation of human services organization and the ability to carry out various organizational programs and services are among the important issues that should always be considered at all times most so dealing with various activities that take place within any given organization. In addition, operation on human service greatly contributes towards the scaling up of various organization by ensuring that these organizations have the capability of delivering quality programs together with other services that that will ascertain to meet the needs of the entire organization. To conduct efficient comparison in terms of the performance of the organization, it is always efficient for an individual to be more concerned with the implementation of a gap analysis at all the stages of performance in relation to the relevant activities that are carried out within the organization. This paper is more concerned with the strengths, weakness, opportunities and even threats that ae capable of existing in the analysis of the final project. All these three parameters are able to provide us with much more information regarding various activities that are capable of taking place and the conditions in which they take place. The analysis is more concerned about assessing the needs of various stakeholders within a given period of time. One of the strengths that I came up within this project analysis is the influence that various stakeholders have been able to implement in the field of human service organization. Stakeholders are known to have the capability of putting a value to most of the organizations where in most of the situations they have the potential of funding a variety of various types of projects that the organization is planning to implement thus this will always be an added advantage and strengths to most of the organization since at this point some of their needs will always be efficiently addressed. Another strength is the ability of various stakeholders who can have the potential of being one of the most efficient community partners who can always be on the verge to ensure that the entire community can attain what they need so as to be able to progress effectively. Another strength is the ability of some of the stakeholders to ensure that there is always transparency and accountability in all these organizations at all times. In addition, the need to ensure that there is no exploitation of various community interest also comes in as one of the important strengths that cannot go without being addressed. The weakness that exists here is that some of the organization may not show interest all in terms of accommodating the stakeholders and in such occasions, there is always the probability that there is no efficient awareness that is conducted within these organizations pertaining the importance of incorporating various stakeholders in all their plans that they conduct. In addition, some of the stakeholders might be involved in one or more organizations with the aim of exploiting the needs of various individuals thus this will lead to a serious weakness which influences negatively to most of the organizations. It is beyond no reasonable doubt that various organizations have always can save administrative costs by ensuring that the entire human service organization are capable of effectively integrating with several other partners with the aim of leveraging resources. Human services resources also have the capability of coming up with efficient partnerships which has a great potential to carter for the needs of various organizations depending on their area of interest. In conclusion, there is the existence of various threats that might always hinder the efficient operation of human service organization thereby limiting its performance. Lack of enough education among various individuals is among one of the threats that will always lead to the limitation of this issue where most of the individuals with not have sufficient information regarding the benefits of operation of human service administration and ability to efficiently carry out various organizational programs. Another threat is competition several other organizations who always have the intention of outdoing most of the organizations even by the implementation of negative ways which can be un ethical at some point.

Paper For Above instruction

The decision to use qualitative or quantitative statistics in research hinges fundamentally on the nature and objectives of the study. Understanding when each type is most appropriate ensures that researchers collect the most relevant data, analyze it effectively, and draw meaningful conclusions. Both methodologies have unique strengths and limitations that make them suitable for different research questions, contexts, and outcomes.

When to Use Quantitative Statistics

Quantitative statistics are most appropriate when the research aims to measure, quantify, or statistically analyze data. This approach is ideal when the goal is to determine the frequency, magnitude, or relationships between variables. For example, in evaluating the effectiveness of a new medication, researchers might measure the reduction in symptoms using numerical scales. Similarly, assessing stakeholder satisfaction scores through surveys that quantify responses on a numerical scale enables organizations to compare results over time or across different groups statistically. Quantitative data's numerical nature allows for objective analysis, making it suitable for testing hypotheses, establishing patterns, and generalizing findings to larger populations (Creswell, 2014).

When to Use Qualitative Statistics

Qualitative statistics are most useful when the research seeks to understand underlying reasons, motivations, perceptions, or experiences. This approach provides rich, descriptive data that offers insights into complex phenomena that cannot be fully captured through numbers alone. For instance, exploring community members’ perceptions of a human service program through interviews or open-ended survey questions allows researchers to grasp nuanced attitudes and beliefs. Qualitative data is particularly valuable in exploratory studies, developing theories, or understanding contextual factors influencing behaviors and decisions (Denzin & Lincoln, 2011). Such descriptive insights support organizations in tailoring programs to meet community needs more effectively.

Examples Supporting the Use of Each Method

Consider a public health organization evaluating the impact of its outreach efforts. A quantitative approach could measure the number of individuals reached and the percentage of those who reported improved health outcomes. Conversely, a qualitative approach might involve conducting focus groups to explore participants’ personal experiences, barriers faced, and suggestions for program improvement. Similarly, in human services organizations, quantitatively measuring client satisfaction scores provides an overview of service performance, while qualitative interviews with clients reveal more detailed feedback about their experiences and perceptions of care.

Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Methods

Many researchers adopt a mixed-methods approach, integrating both qualitative and quantitative data to gain comprehensive insights. For example, a study assessing a community health program might use quantitative surveys to evaluate outcome measures alongside qualitative interviews to explore participant perspectives in depth. This combination allows organizations to not only quantify results but also understand the contextual factors influencing those results, leading to more actionable insights and improved program design (Tashakkori & Teddlie, 2010).

Conclusion

In summary, the choice between qualitative and quantitative statistics depends on the research objectives. When measuring and analyzing numerical data, quantitative methods provide objective, generalizable results. When exploring perceptions, experiences, or contextual factors, qualitative methods offer depth and richness. Often, integrating both approaches yields the most comprehensive understanding, especially in complex fields like human services where both measurable outcomes and nuanced insights are necessary to inform effective decision-making.

References

• Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Sage Publications.
• Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2011). The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research. Sage.
• Tashakkori, A., & Teddlie, C. (2010). Mixed Methodology: Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. Sage Publications.
• Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2017). Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research. Sage Publications.
• Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative Research & Evaluation Methods. Sage Publications.
• Fetters, M. D., Curry, L. A., & Creswell, J. W. (2013). Achieving integration in mixed methods designs—principles and practices. Health Services Research, 48(6pt2), 2134–2156.
• Bryman, A. (2016). Social Research Methods. Oxford University Press.
• Guest, G., MacQueen, K. M., & Namey, E. E. (2014). Applied Thematic Analysis. Sage Publications.
• Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Johnson, R. B. (2006). Mixing Methods in Psychology: Theoretical and Practical Considerations. Psychological Methods, 11(3), 233-253.
• Silverman, D. (2013). Doing Qualitative Research. Sage.