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. In this lesson, we will focus on quantitative methods of research
and what are its different kinds.
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.
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. OBJECTIVE. Data gathering and analysis of results are done accurately,
objectively, and are unaffected by the researcher’s intuition and personal
guesses.
3. VISUAL RESULT PRESENTATION. Data is numerical, which makes
presentation through graphs, charts, and tables possible and for better
conveyance and interpretation.
4. FASTER DATA ANALYSIS. The use of a statistical tools give 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 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. REPLICATION. The Quantitative method can be repeated to verify
findings enhancing its validity, free from false or immature conclusions.
STRENGTHS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

The following are the strengths of quantitative research.

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

WEAKNESSES OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

The following are the disadvantages of quantitative research:

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.

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”, 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 preexisting
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.