CHARACTERISTICS OF 3.

Research methods are inflexible because the

QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH instruments cannot be modified once the study
begins.
1. The data are usually gathered using
more structured instrument. 4. Reduction of data to numbers results in lost
2. The results are based on larger samples information.
sizes that are representative of the
5. Errors in the selection of procedures for
population.
determining statistical significance can result
3. The research study can usually be
in erroneous findings regarding impact.
replicated or repeated, give its high
reliability.
4. The researcher has a clearly defined
research question to which objective Quantitative research uses scientifically
answers are sought. collected and statistically analyzed data
5. All aspects of the study are carefully to investigate observable phenomena.
designed before the data are collected. Phenomenon - any existing or
6. Data are in the form of numbers and observable fact or situation that we
statistics. want to unearth further or understand.
7. Project can be used to generalize It is scientific for the fact that it uses a
concepts more widely, predict future
scientific method in designing and
results, or investigate causal
relationship.
collecting numerical data.
Once data is collected, it will undergo
Strengths of Quantitative Research statistical analysis like Pearson's r, t-
test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
1. Objectivity - A researcher using
quantitative research methods remains
for analysis. Since data is analyzed
separated from the subject matter while statistically, it is imperative that the
proving or disproving a hypothesis. data obtained must be numerical and
2. Study findings can be generalized to the quantifiable, hence its name
population about which information is quantitative research.
required.
3. Standardized approaches permit the Characteristics of Quantitative
study to be replicated in different areas Research
or over time with the production of 1. Large Sample Size - To obtain more
comparable findings. meaningful statistical result, the data must
come from a large sample size.
Weaknesses of Quantitative Research
2. Objectivity - Data gathering and analysis
1. TIME CONSUMING
of results are done accurately, objectively,
Quantitative research involves more planning. and are unaffected by the researcher's
For instance, all aspects of a research study intuition and personal guesses.
must be carefully designed before collecting
3. Concise Visual Presentation - Data is
any data. A researcher needs a concrete
numerical which makes presentation
hypothesis and needs to know the type of
through graphs, charts, and tables possible
research involved--- such as questionnaires and
and with better conveyance and
test questions.
interpretation.
2. Quantitative research depends on data
4. Faster Data Analysis - The use of a
(structured data) and involves testing a
statistical tools gives way for a less time-
hypothesis, but it can miss contextual details.
consuming data analysis.
Example:
5. Generalized Data - Data taken from a
A researcher researching diabetes medication, sample can be applied to the population if
for instance, might record how many times a sampling is done accordingly, i.e., sufficient
research participant missed the medication but size and random samples were taken.
not the details of what happened during a
6. Fast and Easy Data Collection -
participant's day to cause him to forget to take
Depending on the type of data needed,
the diabetes medication.
collection can be quick and easy.
Quantitative research uses standardized
research instruments that allow the
researcher to collect data from a large Quantitative research is a broad spectrum
sample size efficiently. For instance, a that it can be classified into smaller and
single survey form can be administered more specific kinds: descriptive,
simultaneously to collect various correlational, ex post facto, quasi-
measurable characteristics like age, gender, experimental, and experimental.
socio-economic status, etc.
Descriptive design is used to describe a
7. Reliable Data - Data is taken and particular phenomenon by observing it as it
analyzed objectively from a sample as a occurs in nature. There is no experimental
representative of the population, making it manipulation, and the researcher does not
more credible and reliable for policymaking start with a hypothesis. The goal of
and decision making. descriptive research is only to describe the
person or object of the study. An example of
8. High Replicability - The Quantitative descriptive research design is "the
method can be repeated to verify findings determination of the different kinds of
enhancing its validity, free from false or physical activities and how often high
immature conclusions. school students do it during the quarantine
period."
The correlational design identifies the
relationship between variables. Data is
collected by observation since it does not
consider the cause and effect, for example,
Advantages of Quantitative Research the relationship between the amount of
physical activity done and student academic
1. Very objective achievement.
Ex post facto design is used to investigate
2. Numerical and quantifiable data can be
a possible relationship between previous
used to predict outcomes.
events and present conditions. The term "Ex
3. Findings are generalizable to the post facto" which means after the fact,
population. looks at the possible causes of an already
occurring phenomenon. Just like the first
4. There is conclusive establishment of two, there is no experimental manipulation
cause and effect in this design. An example of this is "How
5. Fast and easy data analysis using does the parent's academic achievement
statistical software. affect the children obesity?"
A quasi-experimental design is used to
6. Fast and easy data gathering establish the cause-and-effect relationship
of variables. Although it resembles the
7. Quantitative research can be replicated experimental design, the quasi-
or repeated. experimental has lesser validity due to the
8. Validity and reliability can be established. absence of random selection and
assignment of subjects. Here, the
Disadvantages of Quantitative Research independent variable is identified but not
manipulated. The researcher does not
1. It does not provide comprehensive
modify pre-existing groups of subjects. The
explanation of human experiences.
group exposed to treatment (experimental)
2. The research design is rigid and not very is compared to the group unexposed to
flexible. treatment (control): example, the effects of
unemployment on attitude towards
3. Some information cannot be described by following safety protocol in ECQ declared
numerical data such as feelings, and beliefs. areas.
Experimental design like quasi-
4. The participants are limited to choose
experimental is used to establish the cause-
only from the given responses.
and-effect relationship of two or more
5. The respondents may tend to provide variables. This design provides a more
inaccurate responses. conclusive result because it uses random
assignment of subjects and experimental
6. A large sample size makes data collection manipulations. For example, a comparison
more costly. of the effects of various blended learning to
Kinds of Quantitative Research the reading comprehension of elementary
pupils.