UNIT 1: CHAPTER 1 - What is Quantitative Research

DEFINITION of Quantitative Research

- Quantitative research, according to Aliaga and Gunderson, (2000), is “explaining phenomena by collecting numerical data that
are analyzed using mathematically based methods (in particular statistics)”.

- Utilizes Numbers and Statistical Analysis

- Deals with problems that involves "measurements"

CHARACTERISTICS of Quantitative Research:

1. It is reliable and objective.

2. It uses statistics to generalize a finding.

3. It reduces and restructures a complex problem to a limited number of variables.

4. It looks at the connections between variables and establishes cause and effect relationships in highly controlled circumstances.

5. It tests theories or hypotheses.

6. It assumes that the sample is representative of the population.

7. The subjectivity of its methodology is a secondary concern.

8. It deals with the details of the subject.

ADVANTAGES OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH:

1. It allows the researcher to measure and analyze the data to arrive at an objective answer to the problem posed or stated.

2. The result is reliable since the study uses a big sample of the population.

3. Standards are usually used in choosing the instruments, in sampling procedures, and in choosing the most appropriate statistical
treatment, thus making the research replicable.

4. Personal biases can be avoided since personal interaction is not part of the research process.

5. Processes involved are simplified since the steps in doing quantitative research are made easy and systematic.

6. Result can be reduced through statistical treatments and interpreted in a few statements.

DISADVANTAGES OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH:

1. The context of the study of the experiment is ignored in such a way that it does not consider the natural setting where study is
conducted.

2. Having a large study sample requires researchers to spend more resources.

3. Result are limited since they are usually based on the analysis of numbers and are not obtained from detailed narratives.

4. It provides less elaborate accounts of human perceptions.

5. In experiment research, the level of control might not be normally placed in the real world because it is usually done in a laboratory.

6. Preset or fixed alternative answer may not necessarily reflect the true answers of the participants.

7. Findings can be influenced by the researcher’s perspective since most of the time, the participants are unknown to him/her.
 UNIT 1: Chapter 2 - Classification of Variables

VARIABLE

- A variable is any factor or property that a researcher measures, controls, and/or manipulates.
-Variable is also called "Data Item"
-Data item is also called "Variable"

Major variables and its Minors

1. NUMERIC VARIABLES

-Variables with values that describe a measurable numerical quantity.

Minors of Numeric Variables

1.) Continuous Variable (Interval Variables) – any value between a certain set of real number starts with 1).
-Values depend on scale used (Likert Scale).

2.) Discrete Variable - any whole value.

2. CATEGORICAL VARIABLES

-Describes quality or characteristic of a data unit "what type" or "which category"

Minors of Categorical Variables

A. Ordinal Variables – can take a value which can be logically ordered or ranked. EXAMPLE/s: Clothing size such as X, S, M, L.

B. Nominal Variable – values cannot be organized in logical sequence. EXAMPLE/s: Various Language and Type of Learners.

C. Dichotomous Variable - represents only two categories. EXAMPLE/s: answer (Yes or No), gender (Male and Female).

D. Polychotomous Variables - have many categories. EXAMPLE/s: Educational attainment and Level of performance.

FOUR (4) VARIABLES OF LIKERT SCALE:

3. EXPERIMENTAL VARIABLES - If there's the word "Experiment" on the title.

Three (3) Minors of Experimental Variable:

A. Independent Variable

-Kahit mahawakan ng natural setting si Independent at Dependent Variable, ganun pa din ang tawag, hindi siya magbabago.

Manipulated or Explanatory Variable ang tawag pag nahawaan ng experiment.

B. Dependent Variable

Response or Predicted Variable ang tawag ag nahawaan ng experiment.

C. Extraneous Variables (Mediating or Intervening Variable)

-Already existing during the conduct of the study and could influence the result of the study

Covariate Variables ang tawag pag nahawaan ng experiment.

A. Predictor Variable

-Changes the other variables in a non-experimental study.

B. Criterion Study Variable

-Variables are usually influenced by the predictor variable.

5. VARIABLES ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER BEING STUDIES

A. Univariate Study -Only one variable is being studied.

B. Bivariate Study -Two Variables are being studied.

C. Polyvariate Study -More than two variables are being studied.

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UNIT 1: Chapter 3 - Research Title

Generally, the research title should:

•Summarize the main idea of the paper;

• Be a concise statement of the main topic;

• Include the major variable/s;

• Show the relationship of the main variables of the study;

• Include the main task of the researcher about the major variables under the study; and

• Mention the participants (in general manner) and the setting

■The researcher must be reminded of the following:

~ In formulating the title, the researcher should avoid using words that serve no useful purposes and can mislead indexes. The
words methods, results, investigations, and study appear redundant when used in the thesis title.

~ In many cases, the general problem or even the specific question that the researcher intends to answer, when written in statement
form, can serve as the title

~The title must contain (10) to (15) words

■Considerations in Formulating Research Problems

Barrientos-Tan (1997) identifies different criteria for choosing a research problem:

· Novelty - the topic must not have been used by many researchers, the newness of a topic and its variables will inspire a
researcher or other fellow researchers

· Availability of subjects - since this is practical research, it’s suggested to think of study participants who are within your reach.

· Administrative Support - refers to the aid or assistance that can be solicited from the school or extended by the community

· Availability and adequacy of facilities and equipment - devices such as computers , telephones, WiFi, etc. used in
undertaking the research must be considered.

· Ethical Considerations - ensure all activities to be undertaken are acceptable and are done in accordance with what is legal and
morally right.

INTERNAL CRITERIA

· Experience, training, and professional qualifications - constitute the researcher's knowledge , expertise, and experience in
order for him/her to cope with the research demands.

· Motivation, interest, intellectual curiosity and perceptiveness of the researcher - these are essential attitudes that bring
anticipated satisfaction or enjoyment in the completion of research tasks

· Time Factor - considers the fact that studies must be pursued in a given time frame

· Costs and returns - these factors matter in choosing a research problem. Research is an expensive undertaking the amount of
funding necessary, depends on the size of the sample, the place where the research is to be conducted, the research design, and the
treatment of the data.

· Hazards, penalties, and handicaps - are determined by the researcher's physical and intellectual capacity and moral judgement.

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UNIT 1: Chapter 6- Scope and Delimitations, Significance of the study

THE SCOPE AND DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY (Major: Numeric ~ Minor: Continous and Discreet)

1.) SCOPE ~ the scope is determined by the major variables.

2.) DELIMITATION ~ Sub-variables (Minor Variables) and their characteristics, attributes or indicators (respondents) serve as the
delimitation.

-It is also beneficial to mention the locale (the setting of the study) and when the data will be gathered (time frame/schedule time).

-A variable is any factor or property that a researcher measures, control and/or manipulates.
-It may be concept or construct.

1.) A concept is generally accepted collection of characteristics that can be defined by a dictionary and community used by an
educator.

-Concept ~ can be found in dictionaries (1 word only)

-Examples are age, civil status, degrees, weight, height etc.

2) A construct (paraphrasing kase yung construct na words ay broad so need mo siya iparaphrase/translate into specific) is a new
characteristic that result from the conduct of the study.

-Constructs need to be translated from the abstract (i.e., mental ideas; mental abstractions) to the concrete (i.e., measureable/testable
in the form of variables)

-A construct usually combines two concepts.

-Construct ~ definition can be gleaned from context and is usually not found in dictionaries.

-Examples are level of performance, nature of environment, rate of recovery, educational attainment, sociological factors.

...

Delimitation is boundary and limit of the study

-The researcher can express the indicators by:

A. Phrase- Declarative

B. Sentence- Interrogative

1.) SCOPE (Major variable/s) - Level of behavior

2.) DELIMITATION (Sub-variable/s) - Facial Expression during recitation, Communication Skills, Body Gestures

INDICATORS

-Interpretation of data can be measured or quantified using the likert scale, scale points and emperical observation

: 4- Very Visible, 3- Visible, 2- Invisible, 1- Very Invisible

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Since research is time consuming but worthwhile undertaking, its significance must be clarified.

-How important is the problem being investigated?

-Is it a vital question (specific question) that needs an answer or a solution?

When we speak of the significance of the study, we are identifying the BENEFICIARIES (BENEFICIAL) and BENEFIT it will
give when the problem is solved.

The BENEFICIARIES include INDIVIDUALS like STUDENTS, PUPILS, TEACHERS, DOCTORS, PRINCIPALS,
PARENTS, and others; THE GOVERNMENT; NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS; and even PRIVATE
INSTITUTIONS.

NOTE: The benefits they will receive from the research vary from;

1.) Personal benefit - Individual benefit

2.) Multi-Faced benefit - Group benefit or Mass benefit