Qualitative vs Quantitative

Qualitative research focuses on explaining the “how” and “why” of human behavior by using techniques designed to gather rich, detailed data. These techniques include: observations, interviews, and archived documents. These techniques can be used across many disciplines within the social sciences and the research includes not only the behavior, but the context for the behavior. It is often times an iterative process, whereby data analysis and conclusions leads to new research questions and refinements in research methods.

In quantitative research we take a sample of a population and statistically determine if the phenomena we are studying is generalizable from the sample to a population. You have to have a large enough sample size in order to have any sort of valid findings.

As I start this semester at school, I'm taking my first qualitative methods course and I am taking another course that requires me to write the first three chapters of my dissertation. In the methods course, I'm already facing assignments that are making me think about my own style of how I observe and how I reflect. Many of you know that one of my own strengths is my ability to observe, both my own and other's circumstances. I'm terribly excited about this work and I can't wait to keep you posted as to how this intersects with magic.

Comments

[Beth]

..And I can't wait to read more! This is fabulous, dear one!