Comparative Analysis of Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods in Environmental Studies

References

[1] Adger WN, Barnett J, Brown K, Marshall N, O’Brien K (2013). Cultural dimensions of climate change impacts and adaptation. Nature Climate Change, 3(2), 112–117. https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate1666

[2] Alenkhe OA, Odudu S (2019). Cultural dynamism and household sustainability in Benin City. Port Harcourt Journal of History & Diplomatic Studies, 6(2).

[3] Apuke OD (2017). Quantitative research methods: A synopsis approach. Kuwait Chapter of Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review, 6(10), 40–47.

[4] Atedhor P, Odjugo P, Uriri A (2011). Changing rainfall and anthropogenic-induced flooding: Impacts and adaptation strategies in Benin City, Nigeria. Journal of Geography and Regional Planning, 4(1).

[5] Ayo-Odifiri S, Alasa A, Emeana R, Fagbami A, Duruanyim H (2021). Assessment of urban sprawl in Benin metropolis, Nigeria. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS), 6(7).

[6] Berkes F (2018). Sacred ecology (4th ed.). Routledge.

[7] Bhandari P (2022). What is qualitative research? Methods & examples. Scribbr.

[8] Bryman A (2006). Integrating quantitative and qualitative research: How is it done? Qualitative Research, 6(1), 97–113.

[9] Bullard RD (2000). Dumping in Dixie: Race, class, and environmental quality (3rd ed.). Westview Press.

[10] Caggiano H, Weber E (2023). Advances in qualitative methods in environmental research. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 48, 793–811. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-112321-080106

[11] Cirella G, Iyalomhe F, Adekola P (2019). Determinants of flooding and strategies for mitigation: Two-year case study of Benin City. Geosciences.

[12] Creswell JW (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). Sage.

[13] Creswell JW, Creswell JD (2017). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). Sage.

[14] Denzin NK, Lincoln YS (2018). The Sage handbook of qualitative research (5th ed.). Sage.

[15] Dimuna KO, Olotuah AO (2020). Analysis of residents’ satisfaction levels with housing and residential environment of six occupied housing estates in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 9(1).

[16] Ekhaese EN (2024). Go-ahead element of domestic architecture: Socio-economic and cultural characteristics of the residents in Benin. Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture.

[17] Emon MMH (2024). Research approach: A comparative analysis of quantitative and qualitative methodologies in social science research. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202412.1128.v1

[18] Gamage A (2025). A comparative analysis of qualitative and mixed methods research: Strengths, limitations, and practical applications. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 25(3).

[19] Greene JC (2007). Mixed methods in social inquiry. Jossey-Bass.

[20] Lim W (2024). What is qualitative research? An overview and guidelines. Australasian Marketing Journal, 33(2).

[21] Lincoln YS, Guba EG (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Sage.

[22] Moon K, Brewer TD, Januchowski-Hartley SR, Adams VM, Blackman DA (2019). A guide to qualitative research in ecology and conservation. Biological Conservation, 238, 108186.

[23] Morse JM, Niehaus L (2016). Mixed method design: Principles and procedures. Routledge.

[24] Panda S, Panigrahy S, Shah H, Mahapatra M (2025). A numerical study of the effect of the nose cone geometry on the performance of the centrifugal compressor in a micro-turbojet engine.

[25] Philipsen H, Vernooij-Dassen M (2007). Qualitative research: Useful, indispensable and challenging. In: Qualitative research: Practical methods for medical practice.

[26] Pilcher N, Cortazzi M (2024). Qualitative and quantitative methods and approaches across subject fields: Implications for research values, assumptions, and practices. Quality & Quantity, 58, 2357–2387. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-023-01734-4

[27] Queirós A, Faria D, Almeida F (2017). Strengths and limitations of qualitative and quantitative research methods. European Journal of Education Studies, 3(9), 369–387.

[28] Streefkerk R (2023). Qualitative vs. quantitative research: Differences, examples and methods. Scribbr.

[29] Taherdoost H (2014). Exploratory factor analysis: Concepts and theory. Advances in Applied and Pure Mathematics, 375–382.

[30] Tashakkori A, Teddlie C (2010). Sage handbook of mixed methods in social & behavioral research (2nd ed.). Sage.

[31] Ugwu CN, Eze VHU (2023). Qualitative research. IDOSR Journal of Computer and Applied Sciences, 8(1).

[32] Williams C (2007). Research methods. Journal of Business & Economics Research, 5(3).

[33] Zyoud M, Bsharat T, Dweikat K (2024). Quantitative research methods: Maximizing benefits, addressing limitations, and advancing methodological frontiers. ISRG Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies.

@article{1724425,
      author = {Alasa, Aruna, Ojeo Oluwafunmilayo Loromeke, Magnus Ojeifo},
      title = {Comparative Analysis of Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods in Environmental Studies},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2026},
      volume = {10},
      number = {4},
      pages = {4505-4510},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1724425.pdf},
      abstract = {This paper presents a comparative analysis of quantitative and qualitative research methods within the context of environmental studies. The objectives of the study were to identify the types of qualitative and quantitative techniques used in environmental studies, examine qualitative and quantitative approaches to environmental research and examine the areas required for use in research. Data used were got from secondary sources such as books and articles in journals and the data collected were analyzed descriptively. The result of the comparative study shows that both types of research methods have their theoretical foundations, applications, strengths, and limitations. For qualitative method, two sets of measure that is, measure of central tendency and measure of dispersion were mainly the approach to solving statistical problems. Data collected using this approach were usually presented graphically and numerically. For quantitative approach is concerned mainly with measurement and expression of values of features in terms of quantity. This research type measures the properties of variables and makes precise measurement, determine trends or changes over time and compare trends on items. Inferential statistical methods such as correlation, regression, analysis of variance, chi-square and factor analysis are often used. In environmental studies, these research approaches are often used. However the type of research and the nature of data required determines the approach that is suitable for use. The study has recommended that both approaches are suitable and should be used in studies in environmental sciences.},
      keywords = {quantitative; qualitative; environmental; research methods},
      month = {October},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I4-1724425}
  }