In a quantitative research, researchers make use of two types of data. They are primary data and secondary data. With Primary data the researcher uses different tools to collect the data himself or herself. The secondary data are data that have been collected and stored in books, journals, magazines, and other sources. These data can be used by other researchers. (Surbhi, 2016).
One advantage of the quantitative research is that it saves time and money. This is because can gather a large amount of data in a relatively short time, so it is not time-consuming. It is also easy to administer
Mustapha states that one disadvantage of a quantitative research is that a researcher can use samples that do not represent the larger population. This, he says, can lead to inaccurate or false conclusions. Another disadvantage is that the conclusion that the researcher arrives at may not be true for everyone in the larger population. For example, not all children who grow up in abusive families continue the cycle of abuse.
A second method of research used by sociologists is the Qualitative method. This method seeks to find out why people think, feel and act the way they do. Unlike the quantitative method, this method does not rely only on figures. According to Haralambos and Holborn ( ) an example of a qualitative research is an in-depth account or description of the way of life of a group of people living in poverty. He also states that qualitative data are usually richer and more meaningful than quantitative data because it presents a true picture of people’s way of life.
There are different types of qualitative research. These include unstructured interviews, focus groups, ethnographic studies, content analysis and case studies. One advantage of the qualitative research is that it is a useful method in the study of common issues such as rape, domestic violence, or drug abuse. Another advantage is that it allows researchers to observe people in their natural settings. This ensures the validity of the study. The disadvantages include the fact that a qualitative research can be time-consuming because of the in-depth nature of the study. Another disadvantage is that certain ethical issues can arise if researchers become too attached to their subjects. (Mustapha, 2009)