Research Paper on:
Qualitative v. Quantitative Research

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
There are two major forms of methodology that researchers utilize when undertaking these tasks: quantitative and qualitative. Denzin and Lincoln (2007) describe the difference between qualitative and quantitative research by  focusing on how each of these methodologies differ in their basic perspective. Qualitative research developed and evolved as a means of revolting against the traditional methodology of quantitative research in  the social sciences (Shank, 2006). As their names imply, quantitative research is primarily concerned with quantifying data, that is, measuring some discernible element or factor, while qualitative research focuses on  the quality of related experiences, that is, how individuals perceive reality and their experience. Qualitative research embraces the details of personal experience. Jack (2010) describes how storytelling, in which  cancer victims relate their experiences, offers researchers the opportunity to grain a wealth of personal data, while putting that experience into the context of care delivery and offering insight into  the events involved. For example, Hopkins (2010) describes the pain and frustration of patients who have ulcers, which includes the pain that can result from compression therapy. If the  practitioner applies the treatment poorly, or if there is an unresolved issue, such as pain or eczema, the patient may not be able to tolerate the treatment. One patient confessed,  "The only reason I cut it [the bandage] down was because it was hurting and it became unbearable" (Hopkins, 2010, p. 66). The article goes on to describe how, without  exploration of the patients perspective, such individuals are viewed as deviant, non=compliant and difficult. Qualitative exploration of their perspective offers insight into why this behavior occurs, as it helps the  practitioner to understand the patients experience. As this illustrates, qualitative research is descriptive, taking the "form of words or pictures rather than numbers," which is a characteristic of quantitative research