Between Qualitative and Quantitative: What Methodological Choices for Contemporary Sociology?
The methodological debate between qualitative and quantitative approaches in sociology is central to understanding social phenomena. This article critically examines the strengths, limitations, and applications of these methodologies to guide researchers in selecting the most suitable approach base...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Moroccan Association for Applied Science and Innovation
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Moroccan Journal of Quantitative and Qualitative Research |
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| Online Access: | https://revues.imist.ma/index.php/MJQR/article/view/53694 |
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| author | laila mrabti Zouhair BELAMFEDEL ALAOUI |
| author_facet | laila mrabti Zouhair BELAMFEDEL ALAOUI |
| author_sort | laila mrabti |
| collection | DOAJ |
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The methodological debate between qualitative and quantitative approaches in sociology is central to understanding social phenomena. This article critically examines the strengths, limitations, and applications of these methodologies to guide researchers in selecting the most suitable approach based on research objectives and complexity. Addressing contemporary challenges such as globalization, social inequalities, and digital transformations, the article highlights the importance of methodological choices in producing robust sociological knowledge. Qualitative methods are praised for capturing the depth and contextual richness of social interactions using techniques like ethnography and life history interviews. However, their limited generalizability and susceptibility to researcher bias are acknowledged. Quantitative approaches, on the other hand, excel in analyzing large-scale trends and providing generalizable insights through methods like surveys and big data analysis. Advances such as machine learning further enhance quantitative research while raising ethical and methodological concerns. The article advocates for mixed-methods approaches, which integrate the strengths of both methodologies to address complex sociological questions comprehensively. This integration combines qualitative depth with quantitative generalizability, offering a more nuanced framework for sociological inquiry. The study concludes by urging sociologists to adopt innovative and adaptive methodological practices to meet the evolving demands of contemporary research.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d752fbb25ba64ff4bfbef2d06aaada8f |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2665-8623 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Moroccan Association for Applied Science and Innovation |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Moroccan Journal of Quantitative and Qualitative Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-d752fbb25ba64ff4bfbef2d06aaada8f2025-08-20T02:17:40ZengMoroccan Association for Applied Science and InnovationMoroccan Journal of Quantitative and Qualitative Research2665-86232025-04-017210.48379/IMIST.PRSM/mjqr-v7i1.53694Between Qualitative and Quantitative: What Methodological Choices for Contemporary Sociology?laila mrabtihttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-2916-2196Zouhair BELAMFEDEL ALAOUI The methodological debate between qualitative and quantitative approaches in sociology is central to understanding social phenomena. This article critically examines the strengths, limitations, and applications of these methodologies to guide researchers in selecting the most suitable approach based on research objectives and complexity. Addressing contemporary challenges such as globalization, social inequalities, and digital transformations, the article highlights the importance of methodological choices in producing robust sociological knowledge. Qualitative methods are praised for capturing the depth and contextual richness of social interactions using techniques like ethnography and life history interviews. However, their limited generalizability and susceptibility to researcher bias are acknowledged. Quantitative approaches, on the other hand, excel in analyzing large-scale trends and providing generalizable insights through methods like surveys and big data analysis. Advances such as machine learning further enhance quantitative research while raising ethical and methodological concerns. The article advocates for mixed-methods approaches, which integrate the strengths of both methodologies to address complex sociological questions comprehensively. This integration combines qualitative depth with quantitative generalizability, offering a more nuanced framework for sociological inquiry. The study concludes by urging sociologists to adopt innovative and adaptive methodological practices to meet the evolving demands of contemporary research. https://revues.imist.ma/index.php/MJQR/article/view/53694Qualitative methodologyQuantitative methodologyMixed methodsSociological research |
| spellingShingle | laila mrabti Zouhair BELAMFEDEL ALAOUI Between Qualitative and Quantitative: What Methodological Choices for Contemporary Sociology? Moroccan Journal of Quantitative and Qualitative Research Qualitative methodology Quantitative methodology Mixed methods Sociological research |
| title | Between Qualitative and Quantitative: What Methodological Choices for Contemporary Sociology? |
| title_full | Between Qualitative and Quantitative: What Methodological Choices for Contemporary Sociology? |
| title_fullStr | Between Qualitative and Quantitative: What Methodological Choices for Contemporary Sociology? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Between Qualitative and Quantitative: What Methodological Choices for Contemporary Sociology? |
| title_short | Between Qualitative and Quantitative: What Methodological Choices for Contemporary Sociology? |
| title_sort | between qualitative and quantitative what methodological choices for contemporary sociology |
| topic | Qualitative methodology Quantitative methodology Mixed methods Sociological research |
| url | https://revues.imist.ma/index.php/MJQR/article/view/53694 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT lailamrabti betweenqualitativeandquantitativewhatmethodologicalchoicesforcontemporarysociology AT zouhairbelamfedelalaoui betweenqualitativeandquantitativewhatmethodologicalchoicesforcontemporarysociology |