Scribd
Upload
31 views

Types of Quantitative Research

The document discusses several types of research designs: Descriptive research design aims to systematically describe a phenomenon through qualitative and quantitative data collection to answer what, when, where, and how questions. Surveys and observation are commonly used. Correlational research investigates relationships between non-manipulated variables and can find positive, negative, or zero correlations. Causal-comparative research identifies cause-effect relationships by comparing existing groups on independent and dependent variables, analyzing differences without random assignment or manipulation. Experimental design establishes causal relationships by controlling an independent variable's intervention and measuring its effect on dependent variables through a hypothesis test with precision and objectivity.

Uploaded by

Jan Christian Garcia
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
31 views

Types of Quantitative Research

The document discusses several types of research designs: Descriptive research design aims to systematically describe a phenomenon through qualitative and quantitative data collection to answer what, when, where, and how questions. Surveys and observation are commonly used. Correlational research investigates relationships between non-manipulated variables and can find positive, negative, or zero correlations. Causal-comparative research identifies cause-effect relationships by comparing existing groups on independent and dependent variables, analyzing differences without random assignment or manipulation. Experimental design establishes causal relationships by controlling an independent variable's intervention and measuring its effect on dependent variables through a hypothesis test with precision and objectivity.

Uploaded by

Jan Christian Garcia
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

What is Descriptive Research Design?

When conducting a study, researchers generally try to find an explanation for the existence of a phenomenon. They want to
understand “why” the phenomenon occurred. However, before identifying why a phenomenon occurred, it is integral to answer other
questions first. You need to have answers to the “what,” “when,” “how,” and “where” before you can understand the “why.” This is
where descriptive research comes in.

The descriptive research design involves using a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods to collect data that aids
in accurately describing a research problem. Descriptive research design is a type of research design that aims to systematically obtain
information to describe a phenomenon, situation, or population. More specifically, it helps answer the what, when, where, and how
questions regarding the research problem rather than the why.

A researcher can conduct this research using various methodologies. It predominantly employs quantitative data, although
qualitative data is sometimes used for descriptive purposes. It is important to note that in the descriptive research method, the
researcher does not control or manipulate any variables, unlike in experimental research. Instead, the variables are only identified,
observed, and measured. Surveys and observation are the most used method to conduct this research design. You can leverage online
survey tools or offline survey tools to gather data as per your research objective.

Correlational Research | When & How to Use


A correlational research design investigates relationships between variables without the researcher controlling or manipulating
any of them. A correlation reflects the strength and/or direction of the relationship between two (or more) variables. The direction of a
correlation can be either positive or negative.

Positive correlation Both variables change in the As height increases, weight also increases
same direction

Negative correlation The variables change in As coffee consumption increases, tiredness decreases
opposite directions

Zero correlation There is no relationship Coffee consumption is not correlated with height
between the variables

What Is Causal Comparative Research?


Causal-comparative research is a methodology used to identify cause-effect relationships between independent and dependent
variables. Researchers can study cause and effect in retrospect. This can help determine the consequences or causes of differences
already existing among or between different groups of people.

When you think of Casual Comparative Research, it will almost always consist of the following:

 A method or set of methods to identify cause/effect relationships


 A set of individuals (or entities) that are NOT selected randomly – they were intended to participate in this specific study
 Variables are represented in two or more groups (cannot be less than two, otherwise there is no differentiation between them)
 Non-manipulated independent variables – *typically, it’s a suggested relationship (since we can’t control the independent
variable completely)
Causal Comparative Research vs Correlation Research
The universal rule of statistics… correlation is NOT causation!

Causal Comparative Research does not rely on relationships. Instead, they’re comparing two groups to find out whether the
independent variable affected the outcome of the dependent variable When running a Causal Comparative Research, none of the
variables can be influenced, and a cause-effect relationship has to be established with a persuasive, logical argument; otherwise, it’s a
correlation.

Another significant difference between both methodologies is their analysis of the data collected. In the case of Causal
Comparative Research, the results are usually analyzed using cross-break tables and comparing the averages obtained. At the same
time, in Causal Comparative Research, Correlation Analysis typically uses scatter charts and correlation coefficients.

Experimental Design

Experimental design is the process of carrying out research in an objective and controlled fashion so that precision is
maximized and specific conclusions can be drawn regarding a hypothesis statement. Generally, the purpose is to establish the effect
that a factor or independent variable has on a dependent variable. The principles of experimental design play an important role in
research that does not follow the strict tenets of hypothesis testing and this article holds relevant information for this type of research.

Experimental design as a subset of scientific investigation is a popular and widely used research approach. The essence of
experimental design and perhaps the most important reason researchers choose to design and conduct experiments is the precision
with which one can analyze the relationship between and among variables and to make that analysis as objective as possible. To look
at it from another perspective, experimental design minimizes ambiguity and attempts to eliminate confusion. A true experimental
design relies on testing the relationships between and among variables; generally speaking, one variable, the independent variable, is
controlled in order to measure its effect on other, dependent, variables. A central concern of any researcher using experimental design
must be control; in experiments, the researcher chooses an intervention, associated with the independent variable, and controls how
that intervention is applied, or introduced, into the research setting. If the experimental design is applied correctly, then a causal
relationship can be established between the independent variable and dependent variable(s).

You might also like