Method Choice
Use the appropriate method for the research question
The basic principles of good research, like validity, reliability, replicability and generalizability apply equally to qualitative (semantic) and quantitative (numeric) data. Researchers who use different data types are not in competition, though the jargon may differ. Qualitative constructs and quantitative variables are just different ways to describe the abstract level of research. Indeed qualitative and quantitative research are complementary, as while qualitative data better conveys meaning, quantitative data is more precise. While qualitative studies struggle for precision, numeric studies struggle for meaning. So justify the main data type you chose to gather based on the research purpose. A complementary mixed-method approach that gathers both qualitative and quantitative data often gets the best of both worlds, e. g. the Repository Grid method, the Delphi method, and interviewing subjects after an experiment.
Example(s)
(Use a descriptive name, e. g. "ITExample". Or click on an existing collection and edit it.)