Introduction to Quantitative Research

Activity 1: Finding clues

Directions: Group the following word clues if they are characteristics of Quantitative Research
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

WHAT IS QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH?

 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.

PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2 WEEK 1 HANDOUTS

 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.

Activity: True or False

Directions: On the space provided, write TRUE if the statement describes quantitative research and FALSE if it is
incorrect.

_______1. Quantitative data can be presented using tables and graphs.

_______2. The results of quantitative research can be used to generalize and predict.
_______3. Quantitative research is flexible so at any stage, the study may change.
_______4. Quantitative data are more credible, reliable, and useful than qualitative data.
_______5. The research study cannot be replicated or repeated because it is unique in every case.
_______6. Data are in the form of numbers and analyzed statistically.
_______7. Data analysis is an on-going process. It can be done at any stage of the process.
_______8. The behavior of the participants is observed and is critical to the analysis of results.
_______9. Analysis of data is less time-consuming.
______10. In quantitative research, the researcher participates and engages the participants in the study

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.
PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2 WEEK 1 HANDOUTS
 7. A Large sample size makes data collection more costly.

Activity: Yes or No

Direction: Write YES on the blank if the question requires for quantitative approach and NO if it does not.

__________1. Are high grades in Mathematics a good indicator for employment after graduation?
__________2. Will taking brain enhancers increase examination scores?
__________3. Are there changes in consumer behavior before and after online selling was popularized?
__________4. Do online learning materials enhance the computer skills of students?
__________5. Are there changes in the study habits of public school students before and after the Covid-19
pandemic?
__________6. What kind of pick-up lines are most appealing to both genders at the early adult stage?
__________7. Is there a difference in the academic performance of students using online, blended and
modular learning modalities?
__________8. Will student’s and parent’s attitudes towards distance learning change over time?
__________9. Which of the four SHS tracks (Academic, Tech-Voc, Sports, Arts & Design) is greatly
affected by the Covid-19 pandemic?
__________10. What are the factors affecting the delayed completion and submission of assignments/tasks
given to students using modular learning modality?

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
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.

PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2 WEEK 1 HANDOUTS