Subject: Practical Research 2

Topic: Nature and Inquiry of Research: Characteristics, Strengths, Weaknesses, and Kinds of Quantitative
Research

Grade: 12

Duration: 2 hours

Objectives:

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

Cognitive Objective:

- Define quantitative research and its key characteristics.

- Identify and explain the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative research.

- Differentiate between various kinds of quantitative research.

Affective Objective:

- Develop an appreciation for the role of quantitative research in advancing knowledge.

- Recognize the ethical considerations associated with quantitative research.

Psychomotor Objective:

- Analyze a research study and determine its quantitative research methodology.

- Formulate research questions that could be addressed using quantitative research methods.

Materials:

- Projector and screen for presentations

- Whiteboard and markers

- Handouts with example research studies for analysis

- Research articles representing different types of quantitative research

Procedure:

Introduction (10 minutes):

1. Greet the students and provide a brief overview of the day's lesson.
2. Explain the importance of understanding different research methodologies, particularly focusing
on quantitative research.

Cognitive Domain (40 minutes):

3. Define quantitative research and its key characteristics:

- Quantitative research involves systematically collecting and analyzing numerical data to answer
research questions. It emphasizes empirical data collection, which means gathering data through direct
observation, measurement, or experimentation, focusing on objective facts rather than personal
opinions or experiences.

4. Discuss the strengths of quantitative research:

- Precision, generalizability, objectivity, and the ability to establish cause-and-effect relationships.

- Explain to students that one of the key aspects of quantitative research is its strengths, which make it a
valuable approach in the field of research.

- Present the following strengths of quantitative research:

a. Precision and Objectivity:

- Quantitative research relies on precise measurement and standardized data collection methods. This
precision enhances the accuracy of results and allows for comparisons across different studies.

b. Generalizability:

- Quantitative research often involves large sample sizes, which increases the likelihood of findings
being representative of the broader population. This allows researchers to generalize their findings to
larger groups.

c. Establishment of Cause-and-Effect Relationships:

- One of the significant strengths of quantitative research is its ability to establish cause-and-effect
relationships. Through experimental designs, researchers can manipulate variables to observe their
impact on outcomes, leading to more definitive conclusions.

d. Statistical Analysis:
 - Quantitative research employs statistical analysis to identify patterns, trends, and relationships within
the data. This provides a systematic way to interpret results and make meaningful inferences.

e. Replicability and Reliability:

- Quantitative research is designed to be replicable, meaning that other researchers can conduct
similar studies to validate or challenge the initial findings. This enhances the reliability and credibility of
the research.

f. Quantification of Data:

- Quantitative research quantifies data using numerical measurements, which allows for structured
comparisons and systematic exploration of relationships between variables.

5. Discuss the weaknesses of quantitative research:

- Lack of depth, potential for reductionism, and challenges in capturing complex human experiences.

Cognitive Domain - Discuss the Weaknesses of Quantitative Research (10 minutes):

a. Lack of Depth and Context:

- One of the primary weaknesses of quantitative research is its potential to miss out on the depth and
richness of human experiences. Numerical data might not fully capture the complexity of social
phenomena or personal perspectives.

b. Reductionism:

- Quantitative research often simplifies complex concepts into measurable variables. This reductionist
approach might overlook important nuances and subtleties, leading to an oversimplified understanding
of the phenomenon being studied.

c. Limited Exploration of Context:

- Quantitative research might not delve deeply into the context or underlying factors that influence the
research outcomes. It might provide statistical relationships without fully explaining the "why" behind
those relationships.

d. Difficulty in Capturing Human Emotions and Motivations:

- Numerical data might not effectively capture emotions, motivations, or qualitative aspects of human
behavior. This can be a limitation when studying topics that involve subjective experiences.
 e. Potential for Biases:

- Quantitative research can inadvertently introduce biases if the chosen measurements or variables are
not truly representative of the phenomenon under study. Biases can impact the validity of results.

f. Ethical and Human Considerations:

- In certain cases, quantitative research might involve ethical challenges, such as privacy concerns or
the potential for harm to participants due to the detachment of data from the human context.

6. Differentiate between types of quantitative research:

- Descriptive, correlational, experimental, and quasi-experimental.

a. Descriptive Research:

- Descriptive research aims to provide a detailed snapshot of a phenomenon. It focuses on describing

characteristics, behaviors, or patterns within a specific group or population.

- Example: A survey that collects data on students' study habits, preferences, and demographics.

b. Correlational Research:

- Correlational research examines the relationship between two or more variables. It measures how
changes in one variable are associated with changes in another.

- Example: Investigating the relationship between hours of study and exam scores.

c. Experimental Research:

- Experimental research involves manipulating one or more variables to observe their impact on an
outcome. It aims to establish cause-and-effect relationships.

- Example: Testing the effect of a new teaching method on students' performance by randomly
assigning them to different groups.

d. Quasi-Experimental Research:

- Quasi-experimental research resembles experimental research but lacks full control over variables. It
might involve pre-existing groups or natural variations.

- Example: Comparing the performance of students in a traditional classroom setting with those in an
online course (without random assignment).
 7. Present examples of each type of quantitative research with real-world scenarios.

- Explain the different types of quantitative research using the following real-world scenarios:

a. Descriptive Research:

- Scenario: A marketing company wants to understand consumer preferences for different types of
smartphones. They conduct a survey asking participants to rate their preference for various features like
camera quality, battery life, and screen size.

b. Correlational Research:

- Scenario: A researcher is interested in studying the relationship between exercise and stress levels.
They collect data from a sample of participants, recording their weekly exercise hours and stress levels,
and then analyze whether there's a correlation between the two variables.

c. Experimental Research:

- Scenario: An educational psychologist wants to determine if a new study technique improves

students' retention of information. They randomly assign students to two groups: one using the new
technique and the other using the traditional method. After a month, they compare the average test
scores to see if the new technique led to better results.

d. Quasi-Experimental Research:

- Scenario: A hospital introduces a new patient care protocol in one of its departments. To assess its
effectiveness, researchers compare patient outcomes in this department with outcomes from a similar
department that hasn't implemented the new protocol due to logistical constraints.

Affective Domain (20 minutes):

Affective Domain - Engage Students in a Discussion About Ethical Considerations (20 minutes):

8. Engage Students in a Discussion About Ethical Considerations:

- Begin by asking students if they've ever thought about the ethical aspects of research. Encourage them
to share any experiences or concerns they might have had.

1. Informed Consent:

- Explain that obtaining informed consent from participants is a fundamental ethical principle.
Participants should understand the purpose of the study, what their participation entails, and any
potential risks or benefits.

2. Confidentiality and Anonymity:

 - Discuss the importance of keeping participants' information confidential and ensuring their
anonymity. Researchers should not reveal participants' identities or sensitive data.

3. Avoiding Harm:

- Emphasize that researchers should strive to minimize

Psychomotor Domain (40 minutes):

 Distribute research articles representing different types of quantitative research methodologies.

 In pairs or small groups, have students analyze the articles to identify the type of quantitative
research employed, its strengths, and potential weaknesses.
 Have each group present their analysis to the class and facilitate a class discussion on the
findings.
 Conclusion (10 minutes):
 13. Summarize the key points discussed during the lesson, emphasizing the significance of
quantitative research in generating reliable and valid data.
 14. Reiterate the importance of ethical considerations in research.

Assessment:

- Formative assessment: During group discussions and presentations, the teacher will assess students'
understanding of different types of quantitative research, their strengths, weaknesses, and ethical
considerations.

- Summative assessment: Assign a homework task where students write a short reflection on the
importance of quantitative research in addressing specific research questions.

Homework:

Write a short reflection (1-2 pages) on the role of quantitative research in advancing knowledge and the
potential ethical challenges researchers might face while conducting quantitative studies.