Title: Quantitative and qualitative research
Course: Health Management, Ethics and Research - Ethiopia (Full)

Quantitative and qualitative research

Quantitative research is a type of research that utilises quantitative (numerical) data and seeks answers to questions such as 'How many?', 'How much?' and 'How often?' It involves measurement or counting, for example: 'What is the average number of people living in households in your kebele?', 'How many women are there in the childbearing age groups?' and 'What percentage of the children have been fully immunized by the age of one year?' Quantitative research can be used to describe current situations, to investigate relationships and to study causes and effects. When you conduct your community survey, the majority of the data that you collect will be quantitative data that you can present in tables and charts like the one in Figure 10.3.

Figure 10.3 Charts like this one present quantitative (numerical) data. In this example, the data refer to the planned activities managed by the staff of a rural Health Post in a particular year. (Photo: Basiro Davey)

Qualitative research is a type of research that utilises qualitative (descriptive) data and seeks answers to questions such as 'Why?' and 'How?' It is concerned with what people think and how they feel. For example, you might need to know why some parents are not bringing their children for immunizations, or why some pregnant women are reluctant to see you for antenatal care (Figure 10.4). You may need to conduct interviews or focus groups to find the answers, which you will report by writing about your findings.

There is more about the application of qualitative research in Part 2 of the Health Education, Advocacy and Community Mobilisation Module.

Figure 10.4 Qualitative research can help you to find out how people's beliefs and circumstances may be influencing their use of health services.