Research Methology

Assignment

Topic: Describe the main types of

Quantitative Research

Submitted to
Dr. Farah Naaz

By

Lakshya Mittal
MA Public Administration
3rd Semester
October, 2021
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Index

Introduction 2

Meaning of Quantitative Research 2

Types of Quantitative Research 3

1. Descriptive 4

2. Experimental 5

3. Corelational 6

4. Survey Research 6

5. Casual Comparative/Quasi-Experimental 7

Conclusion 8

References 8
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Introduction

Research methodology is the specific procedures or techniques used to identify,

select, process, and analyze information about a topic. In a research paper, the
methodology section allows the reader to critically evaluate a study's overall
validity and reliability.

Research is one method for gathering and interpreting information and

discovering answers to your issues. The difference between research and other
means of gaining answers to your concerns is that in research, we work within a
framework of ideas, employ methods that have been tested for validity and
reliability, and strive to be unbiased and objective. There are numerous
applications for research. To be an efficient service provider,
administrator/manager, or planner, you must have research skills. Research
abilities are crucial for any professional who is responsible for expanding their
professional knowledge.

The advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English lays down the meaning
of research as “a careful investigation or inquiry especially through search for
new facts in any branch of knowledge.”

To understand the concept, it is essential to be familiar with the types of

Research. In this assignment, I will be shedding light on Quantitative research
and its type.

Meaning of Quantitative Research

Quantitative research is defined as a systematic investigation of phenomena by

gathering quantifiable data and performing statistical, mathematical, or
computational techniques. Quantitative research collects information from
existing and potential customers using sampling methods and sending out  online
surveys, online polls, questionnaires, etc., the results of which can be depicted
in the form of numerical. After careful understanding of these numbers to
predict the future of a product or service and make changes accordingly.

Quantitative analysis differs from other types of analysis in that it collects data.
Quantitative analysis focuses on numerical data and employs mathematical
analysis to investigate what is being determined; the data obtained should be in
numerical form. The scientific approach predicts the overall structure of
quantitative research. It employs the approach and method of aggregation, as
well as the usage of such information at various points throughout the course of
the case for the purpose of disseminating the analysis and conclusion.
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The statistical approaches used to acquire quantitative data from the research
study are generally used in quantitative outcome research in the social sciences.
Researchers and statisticians use mathematical frameworks and ideas related to
the quantity in question in this research strategy.

Quantitative research templates are objective, detailed, and, in some cases,

investigative in nature. This research strategy produces logical, statistical, and
unbiased findings. Data was collected in an organized manner and on bigger
samples that were representative of the total population.

Type of quantitative research

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1. Descriptive Research

Descriptive research is research that discusses descriptive data of a population

being studied and does not aim to determine the causal relationship between
variables. This is also one of the limitations of descriptive research because it
cannot determine the variables that influence or have a relationship with the
issue we are examining.

Descriptive research is typically performed to explain an occurrence or an event

that requires precise facts. When discussing the population of a country, for
example, we will debate population data based on gender, population growth
trends, population density, and so on.

Descriptive research is divided into 5 types:

1. Case studies

Case studies are a type of descriptive research in which someone describes data
from a condition, phenomenon, or event. Case studies are often used by many
people as a representative method to describe a research subject such as success
stories, business failures, life struggles, etc.

An example of a case study is the presentation of a case of a Covid patient in a

city.

2. Case study series

Case study series are descriptive research for several cases at once.

For example, to describe in detail a patient's episode of care, explore

professional attitudes to and experiences of a new policy initiative or service
development or more generally to 'investigate contemporary phenomena within
its real-life context' 1

3. Cross-sectional study

A cross-sectional study is a study that aims to provide an overview of the

situation in general where the variables in this study are assessed only once to
1
Yin, Robert K. Case Study Research, Design and Method. SAGE, 2009, p. 4.
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obtain the relationship between variables. An example of this study is a survey

of public opinion on a condition.

4. Longitudinal studies

Longitudinal studies are studies of the same object but are continuously studied
up to more than 1-time point. Longitudinal studies are divided into three types
namely trend studies, cohort studies, and panel studies.

Trend studies are repetitions of cross-sectional studies in which a set of

questions is asked to different groups of people or populations at different times.
The main object in this study is the question or variable to be examined.

5. Retrospective changes

Retrospective change is research that aims to compare cases with certain

characteristics of control subjects without attributes to determine cause-effect
relationships.

For example, research on diabetic patients with the amount of sugar consumed
each day. This study is known as a case-control study because this research
focuses on conditions that might result in the subject being a case.

2. Experimental research:

Also known as true experimentation, this research method is reliant on a

theory. Experimental research, as the name suggests, is usually based on one or
more theories. This theory has not been proven in the past and is merely a
supposition. In experimental research, an analysis is done around proving or
disproving the statement. This research method is used in natural sciences.
Traditional research methods are more effective than modern techniques.

In experimental research, there might be several theories. An assertion that can

be proved or rejected is referred to as a theory. Following the establishment of
the statement, efforts are made to determine whether it is valid or not. This form
of quantitative research method is most commonly utilized in the scientific or
social sciences, where a variety of propositions must be proven correct or
incorrect.

For example, in order to test the effects of a new drug intended to treat a certain
medical condition like dementia, if a sample of dementia patients is randomly
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divided into three groups, with the first group receiving a high dosage of the
drug, the second group receiving a low dosage, and the third group receives a
placebo such as a sugar pill (control group), then the first two groups are
experimental groups and the third group is a control group.

2. Co-relational:

This research attempts to determine the extent of a relationship between two or

more variables using statistical data. In this type of design, relationships
between and among a number of facts are sought and interpreted. This type of
research will recognize trends and patterns in data, but it does not go so far in its
analysis to prove causes for these observed patterns. Cause and effect is not the
basis of this type of observational research. The data, relationships, and
distributions of variables are studied only. Variables are not manipulated; they
are only identified and are studied as they occur in a natural setting.

Example –

• The relationships between the types of activities used in math classrooms and
student achievement

• The covariance of smoking and lung disease

4. Survey Research:

Survey Research is the most fundamental tool for all quantitative outcome
research methodologies and studies.

Online polls, online surveys, paper questionnaires, web-intercept surveys, and

other types of surveys were utilized to ask questions to a sample of respondents.
Every company, large or small, wants to know what their consumers think about
their products and services, how new features are doing in the market, and other
such facts.

An organization can perform survey research by asking several survey

questions, collecting data from a pool of clients, and analyzing the data to
provide numerical findings. It is the first phase in any research project's data
collection.

This type of study can be undertaken with a specific target audience group, as
well as across numerous groups with comparison analysis. The sample of
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respondents must be randomly selected, which is a requirement for this type of

study. Because a large variety of respondents will be addressed utilizing random
selection, a researcher can easily maintain the accuracy of the obtained data.
Traditionally, survey research was conducted in person or over the phone, but as
internet mediums such as email and social media have advanced, survey
research has moved online as well.

5. Causal-comparative research/ Quasi-Experimental Research:

This research method mainly depends on the factor of comparison. Also called
quasi-experimental research, this quantitative research method is used by
researchers to conclude the cause-effect equation between two or more
variables, where one variable is dependent on the other independent variable.
The independent variable is established but not manipulated, and its impact on
the dependent variable is observed. These variables or groups must be formed as
they exist in the natural set up. As the dependent and independent variables will
always exist in a group, it is advised that the conclusions are carefully
established by keeping all the factors in mind.

Causal-comparative research is not restricted to the statistical analysis of two

variables but extends to analyzing how various variables or groups change under
the influence of the same changes. This research is conducted irrespective of the
type of relation that exists between two or more variables. Statistical analysis is
used to distinctly present the outcome obtained using this quantitative research
method.

Conclusion
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By knowing various types of quantitative research, we can easily design a model

and design research. Quantitative research is fascinating because it produces
absolute results that can be expressed numerically. As data is collected,
analyzed, and presented in numbers, the results obtained will be extremely
reliable. Numbers do not lie. They offer an honest picture of the conducted
research without discrepancies and are also extremely accurate. In situations
where a researcher predicts conflict, quantitative research is conducted. This
research method offers no scope for personal comments or biasing of results.
The results achieved are numerical and are thus, fair in most cases.

References

1. Kumar, Ranjit. Research Methodology. SAGE, 2010

2. C. R. Kothari, Research Methodology, Willey International Ltd., New
Delhi