Free Qualitative And Quantitative Articles Research Paper Sample

Qualitative and quantitative articles have certain similarities and differences. The articles differ in the way data is presented to the reader of the information. However, they are also similar in the manner in which the final result is presented. This paper, therefore, compares how a qualitative article and quantitative articles present the issue of Anorexia Nervosa among females in the United States. This paper highlights the differences that exist between quantitative studies and qualitative studies.
The qualitative article use small groups in the data collections methods. The small group is studied over time in order to get information on anorexia nervosa. The qualitative article provides the procedure used in the collections of data. This is lacking in the quantitative articles. The quantitative articles rely on bigger sample sizes and the use of interviews for a large number of correspondents.
In the qualitative article, the loose and generalized statements made in the introductory part are supported by field findings. The statements are the basis of the research as it reviews the literature from other sources. The sample of blog owners provides the information about the eating disorder and its effects on people. However, the quantitative model uses it own finding in the article.
The qualitative article is more detailed on the on the eating disorder because it concentrates is a small group of bloggers. The fifteen people used in the research allow for more details with specificity on the means of selection of the participants and data collection means. Various issues are also discussed in the qualitative article including how the participants were copping with the issue of the eating disorder.
The quantitative articles use random samples to support their position on anorexia nervosa. The study is not described in depth. The samples are also large in the quantitative articles. For example a group of 187 women are interviewed at a university. This is different from the quantitative sample size of 15 used to in the qualitative article (Gies, J &Martino, S. pg. 6). It is not possible to conduct a comprehensive study with the high number of participants that are involved in the quantitative study.
The quantitative articles provide generalized statements regarding the eating disorder. It articles do not go to the specific means through which the data was obtained. They merely state the facts about the disorder
The articles are similar in the sense that they both have data on the number of people suffering from the eating disorder. All the articles contain data on the consequences of anorexia nervosa and they way the people affected by the conditioning are managing it.
However, the qualitative article and the quantitative article are different because the qualitative article is more specific and only deals with a small identified sample. For example, the qualitative article only focuses on fifteen bloggers and provides a detailed study. The quantitative articles make generalized statements. It does not deal with a specific a group. For example, it simple gives the percentage of people suffering from the eating disorder and the percentage of deaths that occur due to the disorder.

Qualitative process

The qualitative process begins with general questions to be answered in the study. Relevant sites and subject are selected by the researcher. The third step is the collection of date. Further data is collected from in the study to buttress initial data and the data is analyzed and interpreted. A theoretical and conceptual framework is designed and the questions are made more specific. Findings are recorded as the last thing.

Study Preferred

The quantitative study is preferable because it provides a bigger picture of the disorder. It uses large numbers hence representative. The number of participants used in the qualitative study is not very representative. The number of correspondents relied upon is low. A number of 15 correspondents yet about 13 million people suffer from the eating disorder in the United States is too low (Gies, J &Martino, S.pg.5)The quantitative study is more representative as it provides the bigger picture on the issue of anorexia Nervosa. It is safer to rely on the quantitative data because it is more reliable due to the high number of participants. A sample size of 15 people is not preferable when dealing with matter that over 10 million people in the United States. The authenticity of information obtained from the small number of people may be in doubt.
The data in the quantitative data is presented in a simple manner that is easy to understand. The figures have already been calculated. It is, therefore, provides an easy reference than the qualitative study. The qualitative study gives the number of people who responded to a specific research question in a specific way. It does not give figures on the whole problem of Anorexia Nervosa. Its figures are limited to the correspondents. It may, therefore, not be reliable in assessing the extent of the problem in the whole of the United States.
The data from quantitative articles have already been analyzed thus making them easy to understand. Though the qualitative study is more detailed is it focuses on a comprehensive analysis of the correspondents, its results does not open up to understanding. This is what makes the quantitative study easier to appreciate and, therefore, more helpful.

References

Gies, J &Martino, S (2014) “Uncovering ED: A Qualitative Analysis of Personal Blogs
Managed by Individuals with Eating Disorders”, The Qualitative Report (19)1-15, Retrieved from http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR19/gies57.pdf
lo-biondo-wood, G & Haber, J (2010) Nursing research: Methods an critical and appraisal for evidence-based practice (7th edition). St.Louis MO: CV Mosby
Palo Alto Medical Foundation (2015) “Eating Disorders”, Retrieved from http://www.pamf.org/teen/life/bodyimage/eating-disorders.html