Abstract: One of the important features of scientific research is to make scientific explanations, and researchers need to choose appropriate methods to carry out deductive or inductive work in relation to their research problems and purposes. Qualitative research and quantitative research are two major research methods, and they take different approaches in terms of methodological orientation and research practice. This paper examines the difference between qualitative and quantitative research from four aspects: philosophical stance, applicability, research strategies and procedures, and quality evaluation criteria. In terms of research hypotheses, samples, and collection and analysis of data, qualitative and quantitative research are different from each other to certain degree. Quantitative research can be evaluated by procedural norms and outcomes, while qualitative research is mainly evaluated by procedural norms. Although qualitative and quantitative research are different from each other, their combined use will become a tendency as sports research continues to evolve in both details and depth.

Key words: qualitative research, quantitative research, philosophical stance, research strategy, quality evaluation criteria