Quantitative

Research
CHARACTERISTICS, STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES AND KINDS

MODULE 1: THE NATURE OF INQUIRY AND RESEARCH

LESSON 1
After studying this module, you are
expected to:
 Describe the characteristics, strengths, weaknesses and
kinds of quantitative research;
 Illustratethe importance of quantitative research across
fields; and
 Differentiate kinds of variables and their uses.
Large population Statistical treatment Coding
Reliability Interview Phenomenology
Correlational Study Non-Probability Probability Sampling
Sampling

Closed- Ended Observation Thematic Analysis

Questions

Case study Grounded Theory Experimental

Large population Statistical treatment Coding
Reliability Interview Phenomenology
Correlational Study Non-Probability Probability Sampling
Sampling

Closed- Ended Observation Thematic Analysis

Questions

Case study Grounded Theory Experimental

What is Quantitative Research?
 It is an objective, systematic, empirical investigation of
observable phenomena through the use of computational
techniques. It highlights numerical analysis of data hoping that the
numbers yield unbiased results that can be generalized to some
larger population and explain a particular observation. Simply,
quantitative research is concerned with numbers and its
relationship with events.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
1. OBJECTIVE. Quantitative research seeks accurate measurement and analysis of target
concepts. It is not based on mere intuition and guesses. Data are gathered before proposing a
conclusion or solution to a problem.
2. CLEARLY DEFINED RESEARCH QUESTIONS. The researchers know in advance
what they are looking for. The research questions are well-defined for which objective answers
are sought. All aspects of the study are carefully designed before data are gathered.
3. STRUCTURED RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS. Standardized instruments guide data
collection, thus, ensuring the accuracy, reliability and validity of data. Data are normally
gathered using structured research tools such as questionnaires to collect measurable
characteristics of the population like age, socio-economic status, number of children, among
others.
4. NUMERICAL DATA. Figures, tables or graphs showcase summarized data collection in order
to show trends, relationships or differences among variables. In sum, the charts and tables allow you
to see the evidence collected.
5. LARGE SAMPLE SIZES. To arrive at a more reliable data analysis, a normal population
distribution curve is preferred. This requires a large sample size, depending on how the
characteristics of the population vary. Random sampling is recommended in determining the
sample size to avoid researcher’s bias in interpreting the results.
6. REPLICATION. Quantitative methods can be repeated to verify findings in another setting,
thus strengthen and reinforcing validity of findings eliminating the possibility of spurious
conclusions.
7. FUTURE OUTCOMES. By using complex mathematical calculations and with the aid of
computers, if-then scenarios may be formulated thus predicting future results. Quantitative research
puts emphasis on proof, rather than discover.
 
 STRENGTHS OF QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH
1. It is objective. The most reliable and valid way of concluding results, giving
way to a new hypothesis or to disproving it. Because of bigger number of the
sample of a population, the results or generalizations are more reliable and
valid. Since it provides numerical data, it can’t be easily misinterpreted.
2. The use of statistical techniques facilitates sophisticated analyses and allows
you to comprehend a huge amount of vital characteristics of data.
3. It is real and unbiased. If the research is properly designed it filters out
external factors, and so can be seen as real and unbiased.
4. The numerical data can be analyzed in a quick and easy way. By
employing statistically valid random models, findings can be generalized
to the population about which information is necessary.
5. Quantitative studies are replicable. Standardized approaches allow the
study to be replicated in different areas or over time with formulation of
comparable findings.
6. Quantitative experiments are useful for testing the results gained by a
series of qualitative experiments, leading to a final answer, and narrowing
down of possible directions to follow.
 
WEAKNESSES OF QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH
1. Quantitative research requires a large number of respondents. It is
assumed that the larger the sample is, the more statistically accurate the
findings are.
2. It is costly. Since, there are more respondents compared to qualitative
research, the expenses will be greater in reaching out to these people and in
reproducing questionnaires.
3. The information is contextual factors to help interpret the results or to
explain variations are usually ignored. It does not consider the distinct
capacity of the respondents to share and elaborate further information unlike
the qualitative research.
4. Much information are difficult to gather using structured research
instruments, specifically on sensitive issues like pre-marital sex,
domestic violence, among others.
5. If not done seriously and correctly, data from questionnaires may
be incomplete and inaccurate. Researchers must be on the look-out
on respondents who are just guessing in answering the instrument.
KINDS OF QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH DESIGNS
Research design refers to the overall strategy that you choose in order to
integrate the different components of the study in a coherent and logical way, thereby
ensuring you will effectively address the research problem. Furthermore, a research
design constitutes the blueprint for the selection, measurement and analysis of data.
Quantitative methods emphasize objective measurements and the statistical,
mathematical, or numerical analysis of data collected through polls, questionnaires, and
surveys, or by manipulating pre-existing statistical data using computational techniques.
 Descriptive Research

 This design is concerned with describing the nature, characteristics and

components of the population or a phenomenon. This design attempts to
find general attributes of the presently existing situation and determine
the frequency with which it occurs. Descriptive research is used if, for
example the research wants to know how many hours senior high school
spend in social media, the number of malnourished students who failed
in the achievement test, and how healthy is the food served during the
recess in the public school.
 
 Correlational Research
 It is a systematic investigation of the nature of relationship, or associations between
among variables without necessarily investigating into causal reasons underlying them.
It is also concerned with the extent of relationships that exists between or among the
variables. For example, if pre-board examination results can be used to predict
performance in the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET), then the higher the pre-
board grade, the most likely be the score in the LET. Correlational research is employed
if you like to know, for example, if the following factors are related to each other: sex
and mathematical ability, marriage and cancer recovery, occupation and life span.
Evaluation Research

 It aims to assess the effects and impacts or outcomes

of practices, policies and programs. Assessing of
nursing care in a hospital and determining the impact
of new treatment procedure for patients are examples
of evaluation research.
 Survey Research
 It is used to gather information from groups of people by selecting and studying
samples chosen from population.it may be done in various ways like face-to-face,
phone, mail, and online. A survey research may be cross- sectional if the information
is collected from a sample in just single point of time just like the child-rearing
practices of single parents, and population practices of unmarried couples. A survey
research is considered longitudinal if the researcher collects information on the same
subjects over a period of time, sometimes lasting many years in order to study the
changes through the years. Longitudinal survey is utilized, for example, to determine
the growth of rice yield in the country and the rate of promotion of doctorate degree
holders five years after earning the degree.
 Causal Comparative Research
 It is also known as ex post facto (after the fact) research. This kind of
research derives conclusion from observations and manifestation that
already occurred in the past and now compared to some dependent
variables. It discusses why and how a phenomenon occurs. For example,
a researcher is interested in how weight influences stress coping level of
adults. Here, the subjects would be separated into different group
(underweight, normal weight, over weight) and their stress-coping levels
measured. This is an ex post facto design because pre-existing
characteristic (weight) was used to form the groups.
Experimental Research
 This research utilizes scientific method to test cause- and-effect relationships under
conditions controlled by the researcher. In this case an effort is made to determine and
impose control over all other variables except one. An independent variable is
manipulated to determine the effects on the dependent variables. For instance, a teacher
would like to know if a new teaching strategy is effective or not so he/she teaches one
section using the new strategy and teaches another comparable section without the new
strategy, then an achievement test was given to the two sections. The manipulated
independent variable is the new teaching strategy which is being tested if it has an effect
on the dependent variable which is the achievement of the students. Notice that the
sections are comparable with one another meaning all other variables are controlled by
the teacher.