LESSON 1

NATURE OF
INQUIRY &
RESEARCH
Lesson 1:
Introduction to
Quantitative Research
 What’s In
• Practical Research I introduced you to the two main classifications of
research methods: quantitative and qualitative. You have learned that
qualitative research is more of describing a phenomenon in a narrative;
hence, the data collected can be in the form of words, images, or
transcripts taken from a small sample, not generalizable to the population.
Choosing a small sample size makes room for in-depth data collection and
interpretation. In this lesson, you will learn about quantitative analysis, a
more formal, objective, and systematic approach to obtaining answers to a
question or problem of the study.
 What I Need to Know
• Vital to the conduct of a quantitative research project is a deep
understanding of its characteristics. When you know its strengths and
different classifications, you will be able to identify what kind of
questions you should ask and what approach is most suited to find
answers to these questions. The identification of its weaknesses on the
other hand, aids in recognizing the questions or topics that are
inappropriate to this course. At the end of this lesson, you will have a
good grasp of what is quantitative research that will prepare you in
crafting a good research study and instrumental to building lifelong skills.
Activity 1: Finding clues
Directions: Group the following word clues if they are characteristics of Quantitative
Research (Box A) or Qualitative Research (Box B).
1. Measurable 6. Text-based 11. Subjective
2. Behavior 7. Intervention 12. Small sample
3. Statistical 8. Experimental group 13. Tables and charts
4. Narrative 9. Unstructured observation 14. Deductive
5. Objective 10. Inductive 15. Generalizable

Quantitative Research Qualitative Research

Quantitative Research
You have learned from Practical Research 1 that research
method is classified into two main types: quantitative and
qualitative. While both methods utilize a specific data
gathering procedure, the former is generally concerned with
understanding phenomenon relating to or involving quality or
kind. The latter, on the other hand, is based on the
measurement or quantity.
Defining Quantitative
Research
Rappler News revealed that “Camarines Sur
Representative Leni Robredo is the biggest gainer
among vice presidential candidates in a
commissioned survey by Pulse Asia Research, Inc.,
released on March 15”

Quantitative research produces this kind of news.

Rappler News revealed that “Camarines Sur Representative Leni
Robredo is the biggest gainer among vice presidential candidates
in a commissioned survey by Pulse Asia Research, Inc., released
on March 15”

In this case, in order to get consistent statistical results, it is vital

to survey a considerable number of people to get a
representative sample of the target population.
The researcher is centered on collecting numerical data and s/he
makes use of the data generalize conditions from across a group of
population.
Quantitative research may also be described as follows:
1. It is “either descriptive, wherein subjects are
measured once, or experimental, wherein subjects are
measured before and after” (Babbie 2010).

2. Data is “gathered using structured instruments. The

results are based on large sample sizes that are
representative of the population and can be” (Babbie
2010).
Quantitative research may also be described as follows:

3. It has “clearly defined research questions to

which objective answers are sought”(Babbie 2010).

4. It aims “to classify features, count them, and

construct statistical models in an attempt to
explain what is observed”(Babbie 2010).
Quantitative research is essentially about collecting
numerical data to explain a particular phenomenon. The
quantitative paradigm may be further described by
answering the following questions:
Questions Answer
What is the nature of reality? Reality is objective, singular, and
separate from the researcher.
What is the relationship of the Researcher is independent from
researcher to the subject of the subject of research.
research?
What is the role of values? Research is value-free and
unbiased.
 Questions Answer
What is the language of Formal, based on set definitions,
research? impersonal voice, and uses
accepted quantitative words
What is the process of research? - Deductive process
- Cause and effect
- Static design – categories
isolated before study
- Generalizations leading to
prediction, explanation, and
understanding
- Accurate and reliable through
validity and reliability
Quantitative research uses scientifically collected and statistically
analyzed data to investigate observable phenomena.
A phenomenon is any existing or observable fact or situation that
we want to unearth further or understand. It is scientific for the fact
that it uses a scientific method in designing and collecting
numerical data. Once data is collected, it will undergo statistical
analysis like Pearson’s r, t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
for analysis. Since data is analyzed statistically, it is imperative that
the data obtained must be numerical and quantifiable, hence its
name quantitative research.
Numerical data are generally easier to collect than descriptions or
phrases used in qualitative research. Information like student’s
grades in different subjects, number of hours of engagement in
social media platforms of teens, percentage of consumers who
prefer the color blue for soap packaging, average daily Covid-19
patient recovery per region are just few examples of research data
expressed in numbers. Some data on the other hand, are not
directly countable and thus require conversion from
non-numerical information into numerical information.
For instance, determining which brand of canned sardines is the
best choice for consumers in terms of taste cannot be expressed in
numbers unless we do a survey using a rating scale. Several forms
of rating scales are available, e.g., the Likert scale that we can use
to quantify data. Usually, they come in a selection of numbers
with a corresponding meaning for each choice, for example: 1=
tastes very good, 2 = satisfactory, or 3 = undesirable. Numerical
choices convert texts into numbers so the researcher can perform
mathematical operations for faster, more accurate, and more
objective analysis.
Describing Quantitative
Research
 Expect
What to
• Describe the characteristics,
strenghts, and weakness of
quantitative research;
• Identify and discuss the kinds of
quatitative research;
• Illustrate the importance of
quatitative research; and
• differentiate the kinds of variables
and their uses.
What is
research?
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH,
according to
Aliaga & Gunderson, (2000),
is “explaining phenomena by
collecting numerical data that are
analyzed using
mathematical based methods”
(in particular statistics).
QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH
Is a systematic investigation
of observable phenomena.
QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH
Gathers quantitative and
numerical data.
QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH
Subjects to statistical
methods.
Antwi and Hamza (2015) highlightened the basic
characteristics of quantitative research in each
orientation.
Orientation Characteristics Description
of Quantitative
Research
Paradigm Positivism and Positivism- an
(assumption Realism epistemological position
about the that advocates the
world) application of the
methods of the natural
sciences to the study of
social reality and
beyond (Bryman 2008,
698).
Characteristics of Description
Quantitative
Research
Realism- an epistemological
position that acknowledges a
reality independent of the senses
that is accessible to the
researcher’s tools and theoretical
speculations. It implies that the
categories by scientists refer to
real objects in the natural or social
world (Bryman 2008, 698).
 Orientation Characteristics Description
of Quantitative
Research
Research Numerical This refers to frequency
Purpose Description distribution, percentage, and
(rationale) measures of central tendencies
like mode, median, and mean.
Causal Causal explanation relates to the
Explanation meaning of causality, which refers
to a concern with establishing
causal connections rather than
mere relationship (Bryman 2008,
691).
Research Prediction Prediction is a statement
Purpose about the future based on
(rationale) facts
(https://www/vocabulary.com/
dictionary/prediction).
Ontology Nature of This refers to “what can be
(nature of Social known and how.” For
reality) Reality example: “Is the social world
patterned and predictable or
is the social world
continually being
constructed through human
perspectives?” (Biber and
Leavy 2011, 4)
Epistemology Objectivist Objectivist refers to the
(theory of notion that reality is
knowledge) “objective,” “out there”,
singular, and apart from
that the researcher, and it
can be measure
objectively by using a
questionnaire or an
instrument (Creswell 1994)
Methodology Experimental/ Refers to a type of
(Aims of Manipulative quantitative research
scientific where the researchers
investigation) manipulate one variable
and control/ randomize
the rest of the variables.
It has a control group and
subjects have randomly
assigned between the
groups. Researcher test
only one effect at a time.
 Research Empirical Empirical examination is
Methods examination generally referred to as
(techniques information that is derived
and tools) through observation or
experiment. This may also be
linked with empiricism, which
is an approach to the study of
reality that suggests that only
knowledge gained through
experience and the senses is
acceptable (Bryman 2008,
693).
Measurement Measurement procedure for
assigning symbols, letters, or
numbers to empirical
properties of variables
according to rules.
It is also the process of
observing and recording the
observations collected as
part of a research effort.
Hypothesis Hypothesis is an informed
Testing speculation, which is set up to be
tested, about the possible
relationship between two or more
variables (Bryman 2008, 694).

Hypothesis testing, therefore, is

checking if the independent
variable and dependent variable
have a relationship.
Randomization Randomization is related to
random assignment, a term
used in connection with
experiments to refer to a
random allocation of
research participants to the
experimental group and the
control group.
Research Research Protocol is the sequence of
Protocol manipulations and measurement
procedures that make up the
experiment. Its description should follow
the exact sequence of how the procedures
were executed. This involves a description
of baseline conditions and any associated
baseline measurements, followed by the
sequence of manipulations of the
independent variable and the subsequent
measurement of changes in the
dependent variable.
Questionnaire A questionnaire is a
collection of questions
administered to respondents
(Bryman 2008, 697).
Scientific Deductive Deductive- an approach
Method Approach/ to the relationship
(role of testing of
between theory and
theory
theory) research in which the
latter is conducted with
reference to hypotheses
and ideas inferred from
the former.
To further deepen our understanding of
quantitative research, we should look
into the preoccupations of quantitative
researchers. What are the things that
they are concerned of? What are the
areas or elements that matter to them?
Bryman (2008) identified four preoccupations
of quantitative researchers, namely,

a.Measurement
b.Causality
c.Generalization
d.Replication
Measurement
Measurement is an important factor in
quantitative research, which is why reliability
and validity are embedded in its methodology.
Reliability speaks of consistency of measure of
a concept. According to Bryman (2008,
149-150), measurement is reliable if it contains
the following factors:
Stability

This means there is “very little variation over

time in the results obtained if it is administered
to a group and readministered again.”
Internal Reliability

This means there“consistency of the scale or

index, whether respondents’scores on any one
indicator tend to be related to their scores on
the other indicators.”
Inter-observer consistency

This means“being cautious of the possibility of

the inconsistency of observers when a great
deal of subjective judgment is involved, such as
in recording of observations or translating of
data into categories and when more than one
observer is involved.”
Validity

Validity on the other hand, refers to the issue of whether an

indicator that is developed to measure a concept really
gauges that concept.
A research instrument is considered valid if it measures
what it supposed to measure.

When measuring oral communication proficiency level of

students, speech performance using rubric, or rating scale
is more valid than students are given multiple choice tests.
Face Validity.

It is also known as “logical validity.” It calls

for an initiative judgment of the
instruments as it “appear.” Just by looking
at the instrument, the researcher decides if
it is valid.
Concurrent Validity.

When the instrument can predict results

like those similar tests already validated,
it has concurrent validity.
Predictive Validity.

When the instrument can produce results

similar to those similar tests that will be
employed in the future, it has predictive
validity. This is particularly useful for the
aptitude test.
Construct Validity.

It refers to the validity of instruments as it

corresponds to the theoretical construct of
the study. It is concerning if a specific
measure relates to other measures.
Convergent Validity.

The validity of a measure ought to be

gauged by comparing it to measures of the
same concept developed through other
measures.
Content Validity.
An instrument that is judged with content
validity meets the objectives of the study. It
is done by checking the statements or
questions if this elicits the needed
information. Experts in the field of interest
can also provide specific elements that
should be measured by the instrument.
2. Causality
Most quantitative research is concerned
about explanation. They are strong on
explaining why things happen in certain
ways. Hence they are interested not only
about the phenomenon of things but also the
causes of it (Bryman 2008, 156). In
connection with causality, you will encounter
the concept of dependent and independent
3. Generalization
Quantitative researchers are usually
apprehensive about findings that cannot be
generalized. They pursue findings that can be
generalized beyond margins of a certain context
in which the research was undertaken. This area
of concern reveals itself in social survey research,
in the attention that is often given to the question
of how one can create a representative sample
(Bryman 2008,156).
Statistical
Methods for
Quantitative
Research
 PEARSON'S R

T-TEST

ANOVA
STATISTICAL
METHODS FOR
QUANTITATIVE MULTIPLE REGRESSION
RESEARCH
 PEARSON'S R
(relationship between 2 variables)

T-TEST
(The presence of Statistical difference between 2 Variables)

ANOVA
Analysis of Variance
(Statistical difference between 2 Variables with effect)
STATISTICAL
METHODS FOR
QUANTITATIVE
MULTIPLE REGRESSION
(Relationship between several IND variable and one DEP variable)

RESEARCH
 TEST HYPOTHESES

EXPLORE CAUSAL RELATIONSHIPS

MAKE PREDICTIONS

MAIN GOALS OF GENERALIZE FROM THE FINDINGS

QUANTITATIVE WITHIN A POPULATION
RESEARCH
 This primarily utilizes
PROBABILITY
SAMPLING.
 HIGHLY RANDOMIZED

LOWER LEVEL OF
SUBJECTIVITY
PROBABILIT
HIGHER RATE OF
Y
GENERALIZABILITY
SAMPLING
GENERALIZABILITY
GENERALIZABILITY Refers to the extent
to which the
findings not only
represent the
samples but also
the population at
large.
Lesson 2:Strengths &
Weaknesses of
QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH
 CAN MAKE PREDICTIONS BASED
ON NUMERICAL/ QUANTIFIABLE
DATA.
FASTER USING STATISTICAL
SOFTWARE
STRENGTHS LESS DEMANDING FOR DATA
GATHERING
CAN BE REPLICATED/
REPEATED IN OTHER
CONTEXTS. LOW DEGREE OF SUBJECTIVITY
CAN ESTABLISH CAUSALITY
MORE. ITS VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY CAN
PROVIDES FINDINGS THAT ARE
BE MEASURED.
GENERALIZABLE TO A
LARGE POPULATION.
 INTANGIBLE FACTORS
(GENDER ROLES, SOCIOECONOMIC
STATUS AND SOCIAL NORMS)

LESS FLEXIBILITY IN
WEAKNESS TERMS OF STUDY DESIGN.

ES
CANNOT ADEQUATELY PROVIDE
IN-DEPTH INFORMATION FOR RESPONSES ARE LIMITED.
DESCRIBING AND EXPLAINING A
COMPLEX PHENOMENON.
CAN ESTABLISH CAUSALITY MORE.
SELF REPORTED DATA MAY NOT
LACKS COMPREHENSIBLE
BE ACCURATE.
DESCRIPTION OF HUMAN
EXPERIENCES.
 Lesson 3:
IMPORTANCE OF
QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH
ACROSS FIELDS
ARTS
METHODS THAT ENHANCE ONE’S
CREATIVITY.

IMPORTANCE
OF
QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH
ACROSS
KINDS OF RESEARCH ACROSS FIELDS
AREA OF DESCRIPTION SAMPLE
INTEREST
Personal 1.The Role of
Arts-Based
Research expression in Arts in Student
various art Achievement in
forms is use as Reading
a primary mode
2.How
of inquiry
Classroom
Artistic Structure
Motivates
 KINDS OF RESEARCH ACROSS FIELDS
AREA OF DESCRIPTION SAMPLE
INTEREST
Deals with 1 Values
Research Education in the
human culture
in Public Schools:
such as
Humanities Practices and
philosophy,
religion, Challenges
literature, 2. Children
linguistics and In-Conflict with the
history Law: A Resolution
and Intervention
INFORMATION AND
COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGY:
TRENDS AND TENDENCIES IN THE
USE OF IT.

IMPORTANCE
OF
QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH
ACROSS
SCIENCE
EFFECTIVENESS OF A NEWLY
DEVELOPED MEDICINE,
TREATMENT OR AN ADDRESS TO
HEALTH ISSUES.

IMPORTANCE
OF
QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH
ACROSS
 KINDS OF RESEARCH ACROSS FIELDS
AREA OF DESCRIPTION SAMPLE
INTEREST
Discover laws, 1.Utilization of
Science postulates Garbage and
Research theories that other Waste
can explain Resources as
Cleaning
natural or
Materials
social
phenomena. 2.Making of
COVID -19 Cure
out of Heat
SOCIAL INQUIRY
BEHAVIOUR AND SOCIAL
INTERACTIONS AMONG
INDIVIDUALS.

IMPORTANCE
OF
QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH
ACROSS
AGRICULTURE
& FISHERIES
HOW AGRICULTURE IS BEING
INFLUENCED BY GLOBAL TRENDS.

IMPORTANCE
OF
QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH
ACROSS
BUSINESS
ASSESS APPROACHES THAT HELP
COMPANIES IN DECISION MAKING
PRACTICES.

IMPORTANCE
OF
QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH
ACROSS
KINDS OF RESEARCH ACROSS FIELDS
AREA OF DESCRIPTION SAMPLE
INTEREST
Acquire 1.Developing a
Business Framework for
information in
Research Small Scale
business to
maximize the Business
sales and 2.Business
profit. Practices and
Strategies of
Small Enterprises
at 168 Mall
SPORTS
RELATIONSHIP OF HEALTH IN
ONE’S PERFORMANCE.

IMPORTANCE
OF
QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH
ACROSS
 KINDS OF RESEARCH ACROSS FIELDS
AREA OF DESCRIPTION SAMPLE
INTEREST
Intended for 1. Student
Sports athletes to Involvement in
Researc endure their Athletics and
h health and their Academic
Performance
wellness
goals through 2. Sports and
proven high Fitness
quality Support on
products. Students in
Public Schools
 Lesson 4:
Quantitative Research
Designs
Quantitative research is more systematic and controlled than
qualitative. However, both research methods have a statement
of the problem to investigate.
Each type of research has a unique design to follow that will
also lead the direction of sampling procedure, data gathering,
and data analysis. Each research type also aims to answer
specific research questions; how it will be answered is
determined by its design.
Important considerations also are the variables of the study.
The type of variables provides paradigm (your conceptual
framework), which helps the researcher decide on what
will be the design of the study.
Meaning of Quantitative Research Designs
When a man decides to build a house, does not he draw first the
blueprint before he will start to do the work? Same with the conduct
of research, the blueprint for the collection, measurement, and data
analysis is drawn as a pattern to follow. Furthermore, research
designs enable the researcher to obtain a more valid, objective,
reliable, and accurate answers to the research questions.

Research design is defined as the rational and coherent overall

strategy that the researcher uses to incorporate all the vital
components of the research study. Hence, in order
to find meaning in the overall process of doing your research study, a
step-by-step process will be helpful to you to analyze and interpret.
In quantitative research, you are going to have a great
deal of abstraction and numerical analysis. According to
Fraenkel and Wallen (2007, p 15), the research designs in
quantitative research are mostly pre-established. Hence
having an appropriate research design in quantitative
research, the researcher will have a clearer
comprehension of what he is trying to analyze and
interpret.
 Lesson 5:
Research Instrument,
Validity and
Reliability
Quantitative Research Instrument
What do you think will happen if tools for building a
house is not prepared meticulously?
The same thing when getting information for answers to a
research problem, tools, or instruments should be
prepared carefully.
In constructing a quantitative research instrument, it is
very important to remember that the tools created should
require responses or data that will be numerically
analyzed.
Research Instruments are basic tools researchers used to
gather data for specific research problems. Common
instruments are performance tests, questionnaires,
interviews, and observation checklist. The first two
instruments are usually used in quantitative research,
while the last two instruments are often in qualitative
research.
However, interviews and observation checklists can still
be used in quantitative research once the information
gathered is translated into numerical data.
A culmination program was scheduled for Grade
12 students. The highlight of the program is the
presentation of the festival of dances. The six
sections prepared for the said dance contest during
the culmination. A month before the activity, the
students already started planning. Their parents
were also very supportive in the preparation of
their costumes and props. The class advisers also
monitored the practices in their classrooms.
During the contest, the PE teacher invited teachers
from other schools to serve as a judge. The
performances were exemplary, especially the section
Amethyst. The section was also a crowd favorite.
However, another group that performed poorly
compared to Amethyst was pronounced as the
winner. Due to the result of the contest, Amethyst
and other sections wanted to know the bases for
judging. After conducting an investigation, it turned
out that no clear criteria were set, and no rating
sheets were used.
What do you think must have
been done to avoid the said
situation?
What can you say about the
result of investigation?
How will you relate the scenario
to the conduct of a quantitative
research study?
In constructing the research instrument of the
study, there are many factors to be considered.
The type of instrument, reasons for choosing the
type, and the description and conceptual definition
of its parts are some of the factors that need to be
decided before constructing a research instrument.
Furthermore, it is also very important to
understand the concepts of scales of research
instruments and how to establish validity and
reliability of instruments.
Characteristics of a Good
Research Instrument
Concise.

Have you tried answering a very long test,

and because of its length, you
just pick the answer without even reading
it? A good research instrument is concise
in length yet can elicit the needed data.
Sequential.

Questions or items must be arranged well.

It is recommended to arrange it from
simplest to the most complex. In this way,
the instrument will be more favorable to
the respondents to answer.
Valid and reliable.

The instrument should pass the tests of

validity and reliability to get more
appropriate and accurate information.
Easily tabulated.

Since you will be constructing an instrument

for quantitative research, this factor should
be considered. Hence, before crafting the
instruments, the researcher makes sure that
the variable and research questions are
established. These will be an important basis
for making items in the research instruments.
Ways in Developing Research Instrument
There are three ways you can consider in
developing the research instrument for your
study.
First is adopting an instrument from the already
utilized instruments from previous related studies.

The second way is modifying an existing instrument

when the available instruments do not yield the exact
data that will answer the research problem.

And the third way is when the researcher made his own
instrument that corresponds to the variable and scope
of his current study.
Common Scales Used in
Quantitative Research
Likert Scale. This is the most common scale used in
quantitative research.
Respondents were asked to rate or rank statements
according to the scale provided.

Example: A Likert scale that measures the attitude of

students towards distance learning.
Semantic Differential. In this scale, a series of bipolar
adjectives will be rated by the respondents. This scale seems
to be more advantageous since it is more flexible and easier
to construct.
Example: On a description of an active student in school
activities.
Pleasant 5 4 3 2 1 Unpleasant
Enthusiastic 5 4 3 2 1 Not Enthusiastic
Competent 5 4 3 2 1 Incompetent
Another important consideration in constructing a research
instrument is how to establish its validity and reliability.