PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1: ACTIVITY 8

Kinds of Research Across Fields

There are different kinds of research that are being used in different fields or
disciplines. If you decide to use the quantitative method, you also have options to choose from:
you can use the descriptive method, the correlational study, a combination of descriptive and
correlational, the experimental method, the historical research, market research and many
more. These kinds of research will be discussed in detail when you reach your Practical
Research 2.
However, here is a brief overview of what these research methods are.

The Descriptive Method

Descriptive research describes the phenomena being studied. It addresses the “what”
question. Data are gathered and descriptive statistics are then used to analyze such data.
Thus, descriptive research considers one variable at a time (i.e., univariate analysis), and is
typically the entry-level type of research in a new area of inquiry. It typically describes what
appears to be happening and what the important variables seem to be.

The Correlational Research

Correlational research determines the relations among two or more variables. Data are
gathered from multiple variables and correlational statistical techniques are then applied
to the data. Thus, correlational research is a bit more complicated than descriptive research;
after the important variable have been identified, the relations among those variables are
investigated. Correlational research investigates a range of factors, including the nature of the
relationship between two or more variables and the theoretical model that might be developed
and tested to explain these resulting correlations.
Correlation does not imply causation. Thus, correlational research can only enable the
researcher to make weak causal inferences at best. Correlational research can be bivariate,
meaning two variables in which one variable is known as an independent variable (or input
variable) and the second variable as a dependent variable (or outcome variable). Bivariate
correlations provide information about both the strength of the relationship, from no
correlation to perfectly correlated.
The regression analysis may be used in predicting a single dependent variable or
outcome. The relations among the variables or predictors are used to develop a prediction
model. The multivariate correlation determines the correlation between multiple independent
variables and a single dependent variable.
The Experimental Method
In experimental research, the researcher manipulates one or more independent or
grouping variables, (e.g., by comparing treatment conditions, such as an intervention group
vs. a control group) and then observes the impact of that manipulation on one or more
dependent or outcome variables (e.g., student achievement or motivation). The statistical
method of analysis is typically some form of the analysis of variance. Experimental research
includes (a) true experiments (in which individuals are randomly assigned to conditions or
groups, such as method of instruction or counseling) and (b) quasi-experiments (in which
individuals cannot be randomly assigned as they are already in a condition or group, such as
gender, socioeconomic status or classroom). The basic question to be posed in experimental
research concerns what extent a particular intervention causes a particular outcome. Thus,
experimental studies are those in which strong causal inferences are most likely to be drawn.

The Historical Research

The historical method is employed by researchers who are interested in reporting
events and/or conditions that occurred in the past. This is for the purpose of establishing facts
in order to arrive at conclusions concerning part events or predict future events.

The Market Research

Market research is any organized effort to gather information about target markets or
customers. Market research provides important information to identify and analyze customer
satisfaction, the market need, market size and competition. Market research, which
includes social and opinion research, is the systematic gathering and interpretation of
information about individuals or organizations using statistical and analytical methods and
techniques of the applied social sciences to gain insight or support decision making.

Feasibility Study
A feasibility study is an analysis of the ability to complete a project successfully,
taking into account legal, economic, technical, scheduling, marketing, environmental and other
factors. Rather than just diving into a project and hoping for the best, a feasibility study allows
project managers to investigate the possible negative and positive outcomes of a project
before investing too much time and money.

Which Fields Use Quantitative Research?

Quantitative research is the type of research that is widely used in the natural,
mathematical and social sciences.
Natural science is concerned with the description, prediction and understanding of
natural phenomena, based on observational and empirical evidence. Under natural science,
we find life science (or biological science) and physical science. Under physical science, we
have physics, space science, chemistry and Earth science.
The mathematical sciences are areas of study that includes mathematics as the main field or
 sub-field like statistics, some areas of physics, biometrics, Computer science,
computational science, population genetics, operations research, cryptology, econometrics,
theoretical physics, actuarial science and much more.
In social sciences, quantitative research is widely used in psychology, economics,
demography, sociology, marketing, community health, health and human development,
gender and political science.

Example of Fields/Discipline Using Quantitative Research

Example 1
In the business field, for example, quantitative research is used to populate statistics
from a high-volume sample size to gain statistically valid results in customer insight. Generally,
quantitative customer research incorporates a survey-based approach to gain feedback in
relation to a population’s ideas and opinions. Data from quantitative research – such as market
size, demographics and user preferences – provides important information for business
decisions. (Demetrius & McClain, 2012)

Example 2
In finance, quantitative research into the stock markets is used to develop models to
price complex trades and develop algorithms, to exploit investment hypotheses, as seen in
quantitative hedge funds and Trading Strategy Indices.

Example 3
In Medicine, an experiment in which group x was given two tablets of aspirin a day and
group y was given two tablets of a placebo a day where each participant is randomly assigned
to one ore other of the groups. The numerical factors such as two tablets, percent of elements
and the time of waiting make the situations and results quantitative.

Example 4
In hospital service, a survey that concludes that the average patient has to wait two
hours in the waiting room of a certain doctor before being selected.

Example 5
For example, a researcher may want to determine the link between income and
whether or not families have health insurance. This is a question that asks “how many” and
seeks to confirm a hypothesis. The methods will be highly structured and consistent during
data collection, most likely using a questionnaire with closed-ended questions. The results will
provide numerical data that can be analyzed statistically as the researcher looks for a
correlation between income and health insurance. Quantitative methodology would best apply
to this research problem. A quantitative approach allows the researcher to examine the
relationship between the two variables of income and health insurance. The data can be used
to look for cause and effect relationships and therefore, can be used to make predictions.
(Grand Canyon University, Center for Innovation in Research and Teaching, 2017)
 Quantitative Research has different types namely, (a) descriptive method (b)
correlational (c) experimental (d) historical (e) market research and (f) feasibility study.
These are research methods used in various fields of inquiry.
Quantitative Research is widely used in hard sciences such as Physics, Chemistry,
Physical Science etc. It can also be used in some topics under the social sciences.
Qualitative Research is commonly used in the soft science such as Sociology,
Philosophy, Anthropology, Occupational Therapy, etc.

Task 1: It’s a Match!

A. Directions: Read and analyze the following. Match Column A with Column B.

Column A Column B
1. This research design is an analysis of the a. Experimental Method
ability to complete a project successfully.

2. It describes the phenomena being studied. b. Feasibility Study

3. In this kind of research, the researcher

manipulates one or more variables and observe c. Historical Research
the impact on other variables.

4. This design determines the relations among d. Descriptive Method

two or more variables.

5. In this method, researchers study the events/ e. Correlational Research

conditions that happened in the past.

Task 2 Pair-up!

Directions: Read the following research topics and answer by writing the field of
inquiry/interest to which it belongs to. Choose from the choices inside the box below.

A. Crime and Law B. Psychology C. Business

D. Media and Communications E. Health and Medicine
 1. Exercise and Fitness
2. Franchising
3. Online Retailing
4. Drug Legalization
5. Social Media
6. Intelligence Tests

Task 3: I Need to Understand

A. Directions: Decide on what type of research you would do to gather data to solve the
following problems:

Situations/Problems Type of Research

1. if makahiya leaf has an antibiotic

effect
2. if the customers are satisfied with the
services of a food chain

3. which is a better teaching strategy,

the case study method or the
demonstration method
4. labor demand analysis for the next
five years

5. life among folks before the volcanic

eruption around Mt. Pinatubo

6. if the color of lipstick determines a

woman’s decision-making process

7. if garlic is better antibiotic than

penicillin

8. if salaries and benefits contribute to

job satisfaction

9. if smoking affects the level of anxiety

10. if the marketing strategies of schools

contribute to the increase in the number
of enrollees