Definition: Qualitative research is an exploratory research approach that seeks to understand and interpret complex phenomena and human experiences. It involves collecting non-numerical data through methods such as interviews, observations, and document analysis. Qualitative research focuses on context, meaning, and subjective understanding.

Purpose: The purpose of qualitative research is to gain in-depth insights, explore diverse perspectives, and understand the complexities and nuances surrounding a particular phenomenon. It aims to uncover rich descriptions, identify themes, and generate hypotheses or theories. Qualitative research is valuable for exploring new areas, generating hypotheses for quantitative research, and providing a deep understanding of human behavior, beliefs, and experiences.

Definition: Quantitative research is a research approach that focuses on the systematic collection and analysis of numerical data. It involves measuring variables, employing statistical analysis, and generating objective and generalizable findings. Quantitative research aims to quantify phenomena, identify patterns, and establish cause-and-effect relationships.

Purpose: The purpose of quantitative research is to gather numerical data, analyze it using statistical methods, and draw objective conclusions. It aims to measure and quantify variables, test hypotheses, and establish statistical relationships between variables. Quantitative research is valuable for making predictions, generalizing findings to a larger population, and providing precise and measurable results. It is commonly used in fields where objective measurements, statistical analysis, and generalizability are important.