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Psychiatric Disorders pp 49–62Cite as

Qualitative Versus Quantitative Methods in Psychiatric Research

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Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 829))

Abstract

Qualitative studies are gaining their credibility after a period of being misinterpreted as “not being quantitative.” Qualitative method is a broad umbrella term for research methodologies that describe and explain individuals’ experiences, behaviors, interactions, and social contexts. In-depth interview, focus groups, and participant observation are among the qualitative methods of inquiry commonly used in psychiatry. Researchers measure the frequency of occurring events using quantitative methods; however, qualitative methods provide a broader understanding and a more thorough reasoning behind the event. Hence, it is considered to be of special importance in psychiatry. Besides hypothesis generation in earlier phases of the research, qualitative methods can be employed in questionnaire design, diagnostic criteria establishment, feasibility studies, as well as studies of attitude and beliefs. Animal models are another area that qualitative methods can be employed, especially when naturalistic observation of animal behavior is important. However, since qualitative results can be researcher’s own view, they need to be statistically confirmed, quantitative methods. The tendency to combine both qualitative and quantitative methods as complementary methods has emerged over recent years. By applying both methods of research, scientists can take advantage of interpretative characteristics of qualitative methods as well as experimental dimensions of quantitative methods.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Center for Neuroproteomics and Biomarkers Research at the Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Mahdi Razafsha, Hura Behforuzi, Hassan Azari & Zhiqun Zhang

  2. Departments of Psychiatry, Center for Neuroproteomics and Biomarkers Research at the Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Kevin K. Wang

  3. Division of Addiction Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Center for Neuroproteomics and Biomarkers Research at the Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Firas H. Kobeissy

  4. Departments of Psychiatry, Neuroscience, and Community Health & Family Medicine, Center for Neuroproteomics and Biomarkers Research at the Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Mark S. Gold

Authors
  1. Mahdi Razafsha
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  2. Hura Behforuzi
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  3. Hassan Azari
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  4. Zhiqun Zhang
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  5. Kevin K. Wang
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  7. Mark S. Gold
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mahdi Razafsha .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. McKnight Brain Institute, Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, S. Newell Dr. 100, Gainesville, 32610, Florida, USA

    Firas H. Kobeissy

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Razafsha, M. et al. (2012). Qualitative Versus Quantitative Methods in Psychiatric Research. In: Kobeissy, F. (eds) Psychiatric Disorders. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 829. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-458-2_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-458-2_3

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-457-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-458-2

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