PART I: Nature of Inquiry and Research

LESSON I: INTRODUCTION TO QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

22. The two main classifications of research methods: quantitative and qualitative. 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.
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. 19). 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.

Characteristics of Quantitative Research:

Quantitative research is commonly used in natural sciences research problems because of
the following characteristics:
1. Large Sample Size. To obtain more meaningful statistical result, the data must
come from a large sample size. (1.)
2. Objectivity. Data gathering and analysis of results are done accurately, objectively,
and are unaffected by the researcher’s intuition and personal guesses.
3. )Concise Visual Presentation. Data is numerical which makes presentation through
graphs, charts, and tables possible and with better conveyance and interpretation.
4. Faster Data Analysis. The use of a statistical tools gives way for a less time-
consuming data analysis.
5. Generalized Data. Data taken from a sample can be applied to the population if
sampling is done accordingly, i.e., sufficient size and random samples were taken.
6. 20.) Fast and Easy Data Collection. Depending on the type of data needed,
collection can be quick and easy. Quantitative research uses standardized research
instruments that allow the researcher to collect data from a large sample size
efficiently. For instance, a single survey form can be administered simultaneously to
collect various measurable characteristics like age, gender, socio-economic status,
etc.
7. Reliable Data. Data is taken and analyzed objectively from a sample as a
representative of the population, making it more credible and reliable for
policymaking and decision making. (2.)
8. High Replicability. The Quantitative method can be repeated to verify findings
enhancing its validity, free from false or immature conclusions.

Advantages of Quantitative Research (12- 15).

The following are the advantages of quantitative research or its strengths:
1. Very objective
2. Numerical and quantifiable data can be used to predict outcomes.
3. Findings are generalizable to the population.
4. There is conclusive establishment of cause and effect
5. Fast and easy data analysis using statistical software.
6. Fast and easy data gathering
7. Quantitative research can be replicated or repeated.
8. Validity and reliability can be established

Disadvantages of Quantitative Research (16-18).

The following are the disadvantages of quantitative research or its weaknesses:
1. It lacks the necessary data to explore a problem or concept in depth.
2. It does not provide comprehensive explanation of human experiences.
3. Some information cannot be described by numerical data such as feelings, and beliefs.
4. The research design is rigid and not very flexible.
5. The participants are limited to choose only from the given responses.
6. The respondents may tend to provide inaccurate responses.
7. A large sample size makes data collection more costly.

Kinds of Quantitative Research

Quantitative research is a broad spectrum that it can be classified into smaller and more
specific kinds: descriptive, correlational, ex post facto, quasi-experimental, and
experimental.
1. Descriptive design is used to describe a particular phenomenon by observing it as it
occurs in nature. There is no experimental manipulation, and the researcher does not start
with a hypothesis. The goal of descriptive research is only to describe the person or object of
the study. An example of descriptive research design is “the determination of the different
kinds of physical activities and how often high school students do it during the quarantine
period.” (3.)
2. 21.) the correlational design identifies the relationship between variables. Data is
collected by observation since it does not consider the cause and effect, for example, the
relationship between the amount of physical activity done and student academic
achievement.
3. Ex post facto design is used to investigate a possible relationship between previous
events and present conditions. The term “Ex post facto” which means after the fact, looks at
the possible causes of an already occurring phenomenon. Just like the first two, there is no
experimental manipulation in this design. An example of this is “How does the parent’s
academic achievement affect the children obesity?” (4.)
4. A quasi-experimental design is used to establish the cause-and-effect relationship of
variables. Although it resembles the experimental design, the quasi-experimental has lesser
validity due to the absence of random selection and assignment of subjects. Here, the
independent variable is identified but not manipulated. The researcher does not modify pre-
existing groups of subjects. The group exposed to treatment (experimental) is compared to
the group unexposed to treatment (control): example, the effects of unemployment on
attitude towards following safety protocol in ECQ declared areas.
5. Experimental design like quasi- experimental is used to establish the cause-and-effect
relationship of two or more variables. This design provides a more conclusive result because
it uses random assignment of subjects and experimental manipulations. For example, a
comparison of the effects of various blended learning to the reading comprehension of
elementary pupils. (5.)