The Two Ways of Knowing in Science
In scientific research, there are two methods of obtaining knowledge. They are the ONLY two methods that are used:
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QuanTITative Research
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Qualitative Research
Quantitative Research: The Science of Patterns and Measurement
Quantitative research is rooted in numbers, measurement, and statistical analysis. This is often seen as the science which uses LOGICAL ANALYSIS.
It seeks to “objectively” identify patterns, trends, and relationships. Knowledge is created through repeatable observations, numerical evidence, and controlled variables.
Can you think about which sciences might use this form of research?
Biologically and historically, it could be said that this is a more masculine method or thinking style. It has also been the most dominant way most scientific knowledge has been collected throughout history. We have also had more male scientists up until this point.
It makes logical sense that a masculine thinking style may have influenced the way scientific paradigms are put together.
Now I am not saying this is right or wrong. It just IS.
Qualitative Research: The Science of Meaning and Interpretation
Qualitative research, on the other hand, is about depth, context, and the complexity of human experience.
It captures meaning through words, stories, and subjective perspectives, offering insights into the why and how of human behaviour.
This is the realm of intuition and social intelligence—where knowledge is constructed through observation, interpretation, and understanding of human emotions, values, and cultures.
Socially and historically and if we were to use biological scientific explanation, we could say this thinking style is a more feminine way of knowing.
We have seen a rise in qualitative science since the entry of more women and feminine thinking models into higher education.
Qualitative paradigms are responsible for the knowledge that suggests phenomena are socially constructed.
Now, why do you need to know the differences between these two?
These methods are both useful for you to make sense of the world.
Formal science needs to be representative of the problems people in the world need to solve. It needs to be useful for most people, not some people.
So, using both thinking styles is vital. But we need to do it responsibly.
Right now, the two styles are being used as political weapons. This is an extremely careless use of knowledge.
These two methods are also used to create scientific papers which then inform ideas, policies, laws, behaviours etc.
In life, we need to test, assess, evaluate, and make decisions about each and everything we interact with so both ways of thinking are necessary.
Look at the patterns you see and listen to the stories you hear.
QuanTITative Research Example
Let’s say the mayor wanted to find out whether locals wanted a government-funded swimming pool in the neighborhood. They decided to conduct a survey. Out of 1,500 residents, 1,300 said yes. In this case, we can confidently conclude that most people surveyed want a pool.
However, it does not capture why the 200 people did not want the free pool. It gives us a broad picture, but it does not tell us the deeper reasons behind responses. The thoughts of this minority group remain unknown.
QuaLITative Research Example
Imagine the local government wants to understand how residents in the neighborhood feel about the quality of medical services. Instead of conducting a survey with yes/no or pre-assumed answers, they organise a free-flowing focus group discussion. They analyse what was said. They don’t just look at the literal words used but also try to interpret the meaning behind them.
Residents who identified as Chinese felt that medical services were poor. They based this on the lack of culturally appropriate care and language barriers, meaning they rarely attended the service. However, the majority of the neighborhood—who identified as non-Chinese—felt that the services were high quality.
Mixed Methods
A more comprehensive study might combine both quantitative and qualitative research to gain a full picture. I personally prefer mixed studies.
When Research Becomes a Problem
The worst use of research is as a political tool or misuse by popular media or individuals who do not understand how to read and use information responsibly. People who are not trained will make assumptions about the outcomes based on biases.
This is a very common error and is based on human beings’ tendency to want to find information to support their current way of being or to support what they want to say.
Limitation to QuanTITative Data
While these patterns can provide us with knowledge to understand human behaviors on a broader scale, research based on numbers lacks context because it focuses on numbers over meaning, oversimplifying the human experience.
Limitations to QuaLITative Research
While context-based research can provide us with knowledge about groups, research based on opinions and ideas can be so severely diverse that every single person might think differently from the next. This means this research can NOT be used to understand anybody else outside the group under study. It is research that’s entire purpose is to highlight the group’s personal feelings which logically involves biases.
This is not a bad thing, in fact, that’s the point, but it needs to be understood that the perception of “truth” is generally not shared by people outside of that group.
The problem we have in the modern world is that people are unaware that qualitative science usually cannot be transferred.
If we were to take the Chinese residents’ example and change the entire medical service to a Chinese-speaking service the majority would then be very dissatisfied, and we would not only be back at square one but would have completely made it worse than what the original intention was.
How you can apply this to your real world
Pay attention over the next few months and practice quantifying and qualifying what you observe.
For example, observe and quantify to identify patterns. For example, take a look at the people you spend time with. What group patterns do you notice? What common practices and behaviours do most people share? Are there any divergences based on differences such as culture, ethnicity, or gender?
You can also qualify experiences. For instance, ask your parents about their childhood. This is qualitative research, where you are listening to their story and validating it as truth within the context of their personal experience.
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