Good afternoon.
This is Albert Einstein here at the Louvre Museum in Paris
with queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain.
Good afternoon.
It is a pleasure I am sure.
Our purpose here today is to compare and contrast
qualitative versus quantitative research.
As a leader and reader of people for 60 years,
we will speak for the qualitative side.
And as the ultimate scientist and rationalist,
I will be the quintessential quantitativitist
if that's even a word.
As a gentleman, I will allow Queen Elizabeth
to start the debate.
Thank you, Professor Einstein.
And thank you for letting us choose
the location for our discussion surrounded by works of art
in this wonderful museum in the heart of Paris.
This setting illustrates two of the fundamental features
of qualitative research, first, that the research involves
looking at qualities that cannot be easily quantified
and, second, that the researcher herself becomes immersed
in the situation being studied.
Your majesty, that is certainly different
from my quantitative approach.
I like my variables to be measurable in some commonly
accepted fashion.
And the quantitative methodology stresses
that the observer should be dispassionate, objective,
and neutral.
A quantitative researcher strives
not to allow himself to influence or be influenced
by whatever he is researching.
You see, your grace, in quantitative research,
we clearly set out our premises and hypotheses
before we start and determine exactly what measurements we
will make and exactly how we will make them.
Oh my, Albert, you quantitative researchers
are so decisive and sure of yourselves.
In qualitative research, one does not assume nearly so much
before one starts.
One certainly has a plan for gathering data,
but one is free to make personal observations
and interpretations.
And study participants are asked about their experience, not
simply poked and prodded and measured
with standardized and calibrated scientific instruments.
One then uses inductive reasoning
to look for themes and patterns in one's observations
relevant to the research problem.
Only after identifying such themes and patterns
does one begin using deductive tools and reasoning
to further analyze the data.
Pardon me, Elizabeth, but that is absurd.
With all due respect, quantitative research
involves using inductive reasoning only
before the start of the project to formulate theories
and postulate hypotheses.
Once the research starts, it is all about gathering
predetermined data and using deductive reasoning and logic
to support or refute the hypothesis under scrutiny.
Your qualitative approach sounds like a recipe for chaos.
I thought you were a monarchist, not an anarchist.
Relax, Al, and try not to get your knickers in a twist.
Qualitative research may seem a wee bit uncontrolled and loosey
goosey to you.
But you must admit that quantitative research can
sometimes feel like being strapped
in a straitjacket locked in a rubber room.
Not that one would know what that feels like,
but you get one's point.
Reality is complicated and messy,
and research methodology needs to take that into account.
Liz, baby, you make some very strong points.
You've got a good head on your shoulders under that crown.
I propose that we meet halfway and agree
that there is a role for both quantitative and qualitative
research methodologies, perhaps even in the same study.
By synergistically combining both approaches in a mixed
method design, the results of the whole research project
might very well be greater than the sum of its parts.
Shall we dance?
Oh, Al, one thought you would never ask.
Say Al, do you think one is ready for the follies best
share?