Quantitative and qualitative research..........

In terms of research methodology, probably the most important
distinction is that of quantitative and qualitative methods.
Quantitative methods have a much longer history in research into
aspects of healthcare and the use of medicines. Nevertheless, qualitative methods are now well established as well as being seen as 

essential for many research questions.

Researchers who come from health professions, including pharmacists, are generally more familiar with quantitative approaches to 

inquiry than qualitative approaches.Quantitative studies are those 

in which the researcher aims to quantify phenomena. They may be 

small or large, or local, national or international. In terms of design,

studies may be descriptive or experimental. Examples of quantitative
studies may be:
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assessments of the frequencies of events

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establishing the proportion of people in a population/sample who

hold particular views or attitudes
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audits of professional practice and use of medicines, requiring

assessment against set criteria
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assessment of rates of adherence among particular populations

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the timing, duration and resources associated with activities

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a comparison of prescribing patterns and rates between hospitals

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examination of associations between variables in a data set, e.g. number of medicines prescribed and reports of medication-related problems, or attitudes and population characteristics or experiences

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 randomized controlled trials in which differences in outcomes

between groups are measured and compared
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studies that involve the application of statistical procedures