Research methodology: in thesis, how can the methodology used determine whether you are using qualitative or quantitative methods?

The sampling technique itself determines whether we are using a quantitative or qualitative method because we need to decide which method will logically gather reliable information which can safely prove or disprove the hypothesis.

In order to ensure precision, accuracy, validity and reliability, the sampling technique is very important because we are using it to give an overview of traits in the entire population and not looking at the population as a whole. This may also involve studying anomalies, i.e. people or events that are not representative of a wider population. According to The University of Kent (2008), they are worth studying because they represent exceptional, critical or intense examples of the particular phenomenon we are interested in. So it is evident how the sampling technique can cause new knowledge to be gained which would have been otherwise unfound.

Research methods in themselves are already quantitative or qualitative e.g. If the researcher chooses a questionnaire to gather information for his research due to it being the best or at least one of the best methods for data collection based on the research problem, he has already chosen a quantitative method. If he sees, however, that he may need to explore and get opinions or underlying reasons due to the nature of the issue under investigation, he has already chosen a qualitative research method. The research method does not become quantitative or qualitative upon being chosen by the researcher. It is already globally accepted by academic standards what makes a research method quantitative or qualitative. However, the researcher, when he chooses the method based on what he is investigating, makes the research itself employ the quantitative, the qualitative or both.

Thus, the research problem and hypotheses need to be clearly written and understood so that the best methods can be chosen; Not to give the researcher the results he wants or to satisfy any pre-conceived notions, but to ensure that he can accept or reject his hypothesis knowing that his acception or rejection is justified because he has mastered precision, accuracy, validity and reliability in conducting his research.

As I am doing my research on literature, the relevent methodology mainly is a quantitave methods. At the same time and in certian points I use qualitative methodology when I need to collect data based on numbers and analyse this data such as the number of novels in certain period of time and compare this number in numbers in another period.

he sampling technique itself determines whether we are using a quantitative or qualitative method because we need to decide which method will logically gather reliable information which can safely prove or disprove the hypothesis.

Pertaining to the question, quantitative simply means your method reveals the amount of a component or components in a sample.

On the other hand, you are doing a quantitative analysis if your aim is not pertaining to detect the relative among of each component of the sample being analysed.

I used quantitative method for analysing data of my thesis.

"if you cam measure something and express it in numbers, thenyou know something about it". look at the methodology part. look whether they have used any statistical methods or mathematical modelling etc. when data analysis has been done, then it will be quantitative. 

Quantitative research methods are defined as investigative approaches resulting in numerical data, in contrast to those methods resulting in qualitative textual information. This type of research is especially valuable if:

• obtaining measurements (for example, in biochemistry and physiology)
• estimating error (for example, in physics)
• comparing information and opinions (for example, sociology and psychology)
• testing hypotheses 9for example, in most investigative science disciplines). 

The ideal in this type of research is for the investigator to be detached and impartial to the results of the study. Quantitative and qualitative research methods are not mutually exclusive and they may be used in the same investigation. 

Qualitative research methods are commonplace in a wide rand of arts, social sciences, and scientific research work. When carrying out this type of research, you should understand the rationale for obtaining descriptive data, and be familiar with the main techniques used to obtain and present them. Qualitative approaches have wide application and are especially useful when examining complex information that needs to be disentangled in order to make sense of it. Typically, this might entail scrutinising: 

• opinions, feelings, and values (for example, in political science, social policy)
• participant interpretations and responses (for example, in psychology, sociology)
• behavioural patterns (in anthropology, ethnography)
• processes and patterns (in economics, education or biology)
• case studies including critical incidents (for example, in education, nursing, social work, information management)

The sample technique itself define which typoe of method will be used to prove our hypothesis.

Qualitative research methods provide the answers to how or why.

Quantitative research focuses more on the ability to complete statistical analysis.

Qualitative research method is exploratory based on Interviews including Indepth and Focus group interviews for pinpointing the underlying motivation in detail. However Quantitative approach is based on statistical and numericlal figures that can be tranformed into usable statistic.

If you are writing thesis, then in my opinion you should take both into consideration because thesis should be written in very elaborately to prove your research