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Find Quantitative and Qualitative Research

What is quantitative and qualitative research?

Research and its data can typically be divided into two types: quantitative and qualitative. Key similarities between these types of data include:

  • Helping us explore and understand experiences in a structured way
  • Requiring careful collection, analysis, and interpretation
  • Supporting decision-making and generating insights
  • Working well together in mixed-method research for a fuller picture

However, it's understanding the difference between quantitative and qualitative data that helps us make sense of research findings and quickly spot the types of articles that best fit your needs.

Quantitative Data

What it is:

  • Numbers-based (e.g., stats, percentages)
  • Uses tools like surveys and experiments
  • Focuses on patterns, measurements, and objectivity
  • Answers questions like how many or how often?
  • Results are often generalizable to larger groups
  • Analyzed using statistics

Examples:

  • Number of rooms in a hospital
  • Exam scores
  • Number of products sold
  • Temperature
  • Length or distance
  • Financial values
  • Height or weight

Keywords:

  • Surveys and questionnaires
  • Experiments
  • Secondary data analysis
  • Structured observations
  • Automated data collection
  • Case studies that include statistical or numerical data
  • Tests and assessments
  • Existing records

Qualitative Data

What it is:

  • Descriptive and non-numerical (e.g., interviews, observations)
  • Explores ideas, experiences, and meanings
  • Embraces subjectivity and context
  • Answers questions like how or why?
  • Focuses on depth over breadth
  • Analyzed in flexible ways depending on the research question

Examples:

  • Open-ended survey responses
  • Social media comments
  • Customer reviews
  • Socioeconomic status
  • Journal entries
  • Analysis of body language
  • Transcribed portion of interviews

Keywords:

  • Interviews
  • Focus groups
  • Observations
  • Open-ended responses
  • Case studies that include stories or real-world examples
  • Personal narratives
  • Audio and video recordings and their transcripts
  • Ethnographic data

Finding the Right Databases

Being successful in your research efforts often starts with selecting the proper database. For quantitative and qualitative research, we recommend starting with:

Sage Methods Map

Visually demonstrates how different research methods are connected. Enter quantitative or qualitative and use the Narrower Terms bubble to see more detailed terminology.
Little Green Books

Details various types of quantitative methods, providing clear statistical explanations, straightforward empirical examples, and ready-to-use procedures.
Little Blue Books

Discusses types of qualitative methods, providing clear explanations and commentary on both theoretical and practical considerations.

Visit the Sage Research Methods Toolkit for more detailed information on using the various Sage Research Methods features.

Subject Databases

Once you understand the research methodology you are researching, the next step will be to select a database that covers the subject under which your topic can be found.

Use the Subject drop-down menu to filter the Research Databases page to databases related to your research. When selecting a subject, think beyond the obvious. For example, you might find healthcare administration research in business databases, as many of its functions overlap with business. Review Choosing a Database in our Develop a Search Strategy guide for more information on selecting the most appropriate database for your research.

Crafting Your Search

Now that you've picked your database(s), you're ready to craft your search. It's worth taking a bit of time to develop your search strategy before diving into your research. Review Drafting a Search in our Develop a Search Strategy guide for more details on how to get started.

Search Limiters

Once you're ready to start searching, use search limiters to keep your research focused. Search limiters can help keep out some of the research "noise" that can be overwhelming and detrimental to your efforts.

Try limiting by:

  • Publication type
    • Scholarly articles: Look for research methods and peer review
    • Dissertations: Great for detailed methodology
    • Books and book chapters: May focus on qualitative or quantitative research
    • Manuals and handbooks: Offer overviews of research techniques
  • Subject terms
    • Use keywords related to your topic; try both "quantitative" and "qualitative" to see what comes up.
  • Publication date
    • Narrow by date to find the most current research or track how ideas have changed over time.

Search Tips and Examples

When starting your research, begin with broad terms and search strategies, then refine your terms as you proceed to get the best results. Starting broadly allows you to discover additional keywords and topics that you may want or need to explore as part of your research.

Broad sample searches:

  • quantitative AND "nurse burnout"
  • qualitative AND "first-generation student"

Refined sample searches:

  • ("mindfulness intervention" OR "mindfulness-based intervention") AND ("nurse burnout" OR "burnout among nurses" OR "nurse stress") AND ("longitudinal study" OR "panel study" OR "repeated measures")
  • ("first-generation college student" OR "first generation student") AND ("imposter syndrome" OR "imposter phenomenon") AND ("qualitative research" OR "narrative analysis" OR phenomenology)

Methodology Search Terms

We've created handouts that cover a wide variety of search terms, which may be helpful to you.