WELCOME

Electrodes
S.Y. 2023-
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, and average of 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.
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.
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. 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.
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
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
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 informat0ion 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.
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.”
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.
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?”
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.
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.