QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THEIR APPLICATION AND LIMITATIONS

Abstract

This paper provides a comparative analysis of quantitative and qualitative
research methodologies, focusing on their application, strengths, and limitations
within academic and applied research contexts. While quantitative research is
grounded in numerical data, objectivity, and statistical analysis, qualitative research
emphasizes depth of understanding, context, and subjective experience. The study
identifies the methodological implications of each approach, discusses the
circumstances under which they are most effective, and explores the potential of
mixed-method research to bridge epistemological divides. The findings suggest that
methodological pluralism—using both approaches complementarily—yields more
comprehensive and valid results, especially in complex social and behavioral studies