Which type of research is typically more expensive?

Qualitative research is typically more expensive due to several factors inherent in its methodology. This type of research often involves in-depth interviews, focus groups, and observations that require significant time and resources. The process is usually labor-intensive, as researchers strive to obtain detailed narratives and rich contextual understandings of social phenomena.

Additionally, qualitative research may require recruiting participants from specific populations, which can be costly in terms of both time and financial resources. The analysis of qualitative data is also more complex and requires careful interpretation, often necessitating extensive training, specialized software, and skilled researchers to analyze the findings appropriately.

In contrast, quantitative research, while still potentially expensive, often involves standardized surveys or experiments with larger sample sizes that can be administered with more efficiency. Meta-analysis and longitudinal studies also have their own cost structures but typically do not match the intensive demands that qualitative approaches present.