Practical Research 2 Review Points

I. Characteristics of Quantitative Research

1. Objective. Quantitative research seeks accurate measurement and analysis of
target concepts. It is not based on mere intuitions and guesses. Data are
gathered before proposing a conclusion or solution to a problem.
2. Clearly defined Research Questions. In quantitative research, the
researchers know in advance what they are looking for. The research questions
are well defined for which objective answers are sought. All aspects of the study
are carefully designed before data are gathered.
3. Structured Research Instruments. Data are normally gathered using
structured research tools such as questionnaires to collect measurable
characteristics of the population such as age, socio-economic status, number of
children, etc.
4. Numerical Data. Data are in the form of numbers and statistics, often
organized and presented using tables, charts, graphs, and figures that
consolidate large numbers of data to show trends, relationships, or differences
among variables.
5. Large Sample sizes. To arrive at a more reliable data analysis, normal
population distribution is preferred. This requires a large number of
population size, depending on how the characteristics of the population vary.
Random sampling is recommended in determining the sample size to avoid
researchers’ bias in interpreting the results.
7. Replication. Reliable quantitative research can be repeated to verify and
confirm the correctness of the results in another setting.
8. Future Outcomes. By using complex mathematical calculations and with
the aid of computers, if-then scenarios may be formulated thus predicting
future results.

II. Strengths and Weaknesses of Quantitative Research

Strengths of Quantitative Research
•It is objective. Since it provides numerical data, it can’t be easily misinterpreted.
•The use of statistical techniques facilitates sophisticated analyses and allows you to
comprehend a huge amount of vital characteristics of data.
•The numerical data can be analyzed quickly and easily by employing the statistically
valid random models,
• Findings can be generalized to the population about which information is necessary.
•Quantitative studies are replicable, standardized approaches allow the study to be
replicated in different areas or over time with the formulation of comprehensible
findings.

Weaknesses of Quantitative Research

• Quantitative research requires a large number of respondents, it is
assumed that the larger the sample is, the more statistically accurate the
findings are.
• It is costly. Since there are more respondents compared to qualitative
research, the expenses will be greater in reaching out to these people
and in reproducing the questionnaires.
• The information contextual factors to help interpret the results or to
explain variations are usually ignored. It does not consider the distinct
capacity of the respondents to share and elaborate further information
, unlike qualitative research.
• Information is difficult to gather using structured research instruments
specifically, sensitive issues like pre-marital sex, domestic violence,
among others.
• If not done seriously and correctly, data from questionnaires may be
incomplete and inaccurate. Researchers must look at respondents who are just
guessing in answering the instrument.

III. Kinds of Quantitative Research

Descriptive Research. This design is concerned with describing the nature,
characteristics, and components of the population or a phenomenon. This design
attempts to find general attributes of the presently existing situation and determine
the frequency with which it occurs. Descriptive research is used if, for example, the
research wants to know how many hours senior high school spends in social media,
the number of malnourished students who failed in the achievement test, and how
healthy is the food served during the recess in the public school.

Correlational Research. It is a systematic investigation of the nature of the

relationship or associations between among variables without necessarily investigating
into causal reasons underlying them. It is also concerned with the
extent of relationships that exists between or among the variables. For example, if pre-
board examination results can be used to predict performance in the
Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET), then the higher the pre-board grade,
the most likely be the score in the LET. Correlational research is employed if you
like to know, for example, if the following factors are related to each other: sex and
mathematical ability, marriage and cancer recovery, occupation, and life span.
Evaluation Research. It aims to assess the effects and impacts or outcomes of
practices, policies, and programs. Assessing nursing care in a hospital and
determining the impact of new treatment procedures for patients are examples of
evaluation research.

Survey Research. It is used to gather information from groups of people by selecting

and studying samples chosen from the population.it may be done in various ways like
face-to-face, phone, mail, and online. Survey research may be cross-sectional if the
information is collected from a sample in just a single point of time just like the child-
rearing practices of single parents, and population practices of unmarried couples.
Survey research is considered longitudinal if the researcher collects information on the
same subjects over a period of time, sometimes lasting many years to study the
changes through the years. A longitudinal survey is utilized, for example, to determine
the growth of rice yield in the country and the rate of promotion of doctorate holders
five years after earning the degree.

Causal Comparative Research. It is also known as ex post facto (after the fact)
research. This kind of research derives a conclusion from observations and
manifestations that already occurred in the past and now compared to some
dependent variables. It discusses why and how a phenomenon occurs. For example, a
researcher is interested in how weight influences the stress-coping level of adults.
Here, the subjects would be separated into different groups (underweight, normal
weight, overweight) and their stress-coping levels measured. This is an ex post facto
design because pre-existing characteristic (weight) was used to form the groups.

Experimental Research. This research utilizes the scientific method to test cause-
and-effect relationships under conditions controlled by the researcher. In this case,
an effort is made to determine and impose control over all other variables except one.
An independent variable is manipulated to determine the effects on the dependent
variables. For instance, a teacher would like to know if a new teaching strategy is
effective or not so he/she teaches one section using the new strategy and teaches
another comparable section without the new strategy, then an achievement test was
given to the two sections. The manipulated independent variable is the new teaching
strategy which is being tested if it affects the dependent variable which is the
achievement of the students. Notice that the sections are comparable with one another
meaning all other variables are controlled by the teacher.