Different Kinds of Research Approaches

There are three research approaches I have searched though some web sources

claimed that there are four. These three approaches are qualitative, quantitative, and mixed

methods.

In terms of how the first two analyzed the collected data, Creswell (2013) stated that

qualitative tends to use words while quantitative uses numbers. By qualitative tends to use

words, it means that it is more descriptive compared to quantitative which leans more into

numeric data. In other words, qualitative employs text and image analysis while statistical

analysis for quantitative. As for mixed research it uses both.

He further added that qualitative research uses open-ended questions while

quantitative research uses closed-ended questions (instrument-based questions). And for

mixed, it used both type of analyses (John W. Creswell, 2013).

In terms of strategies of inquiry employed, Creswell (2013) mentioned that case

studies and narrative are under qualitative. On the other hand, surveys and experiments are

under quantitative. Sequential, concurrent, and transformative methods are under mixed.

Reference

John W. Creswell. (2013). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods

approaches (4th ed.). New York: Sage Publications, Inc.