Quantitative research

Clearly Defined Research Questions

-is a method to measure variables, analyze them and report relationships amongst Prior to the gathering of data, all aspects of the study are carefully designed by the
the studied variables through a numerical system. researcher. In quantitative research, the researchers know in advance what they are looking
-is the systematic empirical investigation of observable phenomena using statistical, for. Questionnaires are well defined for which objective answers are sought.
mathematical, or computational techniques. It deals with numbers, logic, and an objective
stance. Numerical Data
-The objective of quantitative research is to develop and employ mathematical
Data are in the form of numbers and statistics, often organized and presented using
models, theories and/or hypotheses pertaining to phenomena.
tables, charts, graphs, figures, or other non-textual forms that consolidate large numbers of
-The goal in conducting quantitative research study is to determine the dependent or
data to show trends, relationships, or differences among variables.
outcome variable within a population.
-Its objective is to understand, analyze, describe, and make future predictions of a
Future Outcomes
specific study because after understanding the numbers, it becomes easier for people to Research paper can be used to generalize concepts more widely, predict future
make suitable changes. results, or investigate causal relationships. Future scenarios of the study maybe formulated
-It deals in objective, logic, and numbers and puts its focus on convergent reasoning by using complex mathematical calculations and with the aid of computers, thus, predicting
and detailed and unchanging data. R future outcomes.

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

Objective
The research aims for objectivity and is separated from the data. Quantitative
STRENGTHS
research seeks accurate measurement and analysis of target concepts. Prior to proposing a ➢ Allows for a broader study, involving a greater number of subjects, and enhancing the
conclusion or solution to a problem, data are gathered beforehand. It is not based on mere generalization of the results.
guesses and intuitions. ➢ Allows for greater objectivity and accuracy of results. Generally, quantitative methods are
designed to provide summaries of data that support generalization about the phenomenon
Structured Research Instruments
under study. In order to accomplish this, quantitative research usually involves few variables
Researcher uses tools, such as questionnaires or computer software, to collect
and many cases, and employs prescribed procedures to ensure validity and reliability.
numerical data. The overarching aim of a quantitative research study is to classify features,
➢ Applying well -established standards which means that the research can be replicated, and
count them, and construct statistical models in an attempt to explain what is observed. ❖
then analyzed and compared with similar studies.
Larger Sample Sizes The results are based on larger sample sizes that are representative of
➢ You can summarize vast sources of information and can make some comparisons across
the population in order to come up with a more reliable data analysis. A large sample size is
categories and over time.
required, depending on how the characteristics and the variations of the population. To avoid
➢ Personal bias can be avoided by keeping a 'distance' from participating subjects and using
the researcher’s bias in interpreting the results, Random Sampling is recommended in
accepted computational techniques.
determining the sample size.
Replicated or Repeated
WEAKNESSES
Given its high reliability, quantitative research study can usually be replicated or
➢ Quantitative data is more efficient and able to test hypotheses but may miss contextual
repeated to confirm or to verify the correctness of the results in a different or another setting.
detail.
In this manner, the validity of the findings is being strengthened in order to eliminate the
➢ Uses a static and rigid approach and so employs an inflexible process of discovery.
possibility of spurious conclusions.
➢ The development of standard questions by researchers can lead to "structural bias" and
false representation, where the data actually reflects the view of the researcher instead of the
participating subject
➢ Results provide less detail on behavior, attitudes, and motivation. 4, Experimental Research - is commonly used in sciences such as sociology and
➢ Researcher may collect a much narrower and sometimes superficial dataset. psychology, physics, chemistry, biology, and medicine etc. It is a collection of research
➢ Results are limited as they provide numerical descriptions rather than detailed narrative designs which use manipulation and controlled testing to understand causal processes.
and generally provide less elaborate accounts of human perception. Generally, one or more variables are manipulated to determine their effect on a dependent
➢ The research is often carried out in an unnatural, artificial environment so that a level of variable. The experimental method is a systematic and scientific approach to research in
control can be applied to the exercise. This level of control might not normally be in place in which the researcher manipulates one or more variables, and controls and measures any
the real world thus yielding "laboratory results" as opposed to "real world results”, and. change in other variables. The word experimental research has a range of definitions. In the
➢ Preset answers will not necessarily reflect how people really feel about a subject and, in strict sense, experimental research is what we call a true experiment. This is an experiment
some cases, might just be the closest match to the preconceived hypothesis. where the researcher manipulates one variable, and control/randomizes the rest of the
variable.
KINDS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
1. Descriptive Research - is a study designed to depict the participants in an accurate KINDS OF VARIABLES IN RESEARCH
way. More simply, descriptive research is all about describing people who take part in the
study. A variable is considered as a central concept in research. It is a measurable
characteristic that changes in value.
There are three ways a researcher can go about doing a descriptive research project, and
they are: 1. Discrete and Continuous Variables
1. Observational - defined as a method of viewing and recording the participants.
2. Case Study - defined as an in-depth study of an individual or group of individuals.
1.1 Discrete Variable
3. Survey - defined as a brief interview or discussion with an individual about a specific topic.
A discrete variable is a type of statistical variable that can assume only fixed number
of distinct values and lacks an inherent order. This is also known as a categorical variable
2. Correlational Research - is a quantitative method of research in which you have 2
because it has separate, invisible categories. However, no values can exist in-between two
or more quantitative variables from the same group of subjects, and you are trying to categories, i.e., it does not attain all the values within the limits of the variable. Hence if you
determine if there is a relationship (or co variation) between the 2 variables (a similarity can count the set of items, then the variable is said to be discrete.
between them, not a difference between their means). Theoretically, any 2 quantitative
variables can be correlated (for example, midterm scores & number of body piercings) as
1.2 Continuous Variable
long as you have scores on these variables from the same participants; however, it is
Continuous variable, as the name suggest is a random variable that assumes all the
probably a waste of time to collect & analyze data when there is little reason to think these
possible values in a continuum. Simply put, it can take any value within the given range. So, if
two variables would be related to each other.
a variable can take an infinite and uncountable set of values, then the variable is referred as a
continuous variable. A continuous variable is one that is defined over an interval of values,
3. Quasi-experimental Research - involves selecting groups, upon which a variable
meaning that it can suppose any values in between the minimum and maximum value. It can
is tested, without any random pre-selection processes. For example, to perform an be understood as the function for the interval and for each function, the range for the variable
educational experiment, a class might be arbitrarily divided by alphabetical selection or by may vary.
seating arrangement. The division is often convenient and, especially in an educational
situation, causes as little disruption as possible. After this selection, the experiment proceeds
in a very similar way to any other experiment, with a variable being compared between 2. INDEPENDENT AND DEPENDENT VARIABLE
different groups, or over a period of time. INDEPENDENT VARIABLE
 An independent variable (sometimes called an experimental or predictor variable) is a DESCRIBING BACKGROUND OF RESEARCH
variable that is being manipulated in an experiment in order to observe the effect this has on
Important Elements to be Included in the Background of the Research The
a dependent variable (sometimes called an outcome variable).
background of the study contains information about the significance and validity of the
research problem. It generally aims to orient the readers to the problem area. It serves to
DEPENDENT VARIABLE tackle the present state of knowledge concerning the problem. In order to arrive at a good
Dependent variable is the one affected by a change in the independent variable. If background of the study, the following questions should be considered:
you write out the variables in a sentence that shows cause and effect, the independent
variable causes the effect on the dependent variable. 1. What facets of the problem are known?
2. What needs further investigation?
RESEARCH PROBLEM 3. What approaches have been used in research of the problem?
FORMULATING A RESEARCH TITLE
In the present system of research writing, the background of the study may follow a certain
1. The title must be broad enough to cover all pertinent and essential aspects of the study but
hierarchy of discussions of themes, problems and concepts. This can be done by discussing
should be brief and concise.
the general issues about the research problem in a global or international scale, followed by
2. The title must contain the following elements:
tackling the national issues or trends relevant to the main topic, next is the discussion of the
a. subject matter or research problem
local scenario. The legal basis of the study, if there’s any should be discussed in the
b. the setting or locale of the study
background, followed by the researcher’s motivation and objective in conducting the study.
c. the respondents or participants involved in the study d. the time or period when the study
was conducted (if the title is too long because of these elements, the timeframe may be
omitted) Important Elements to be Included in the Background of
3. Avoid terms such as “Analysis of”, “A Study of”, “An Investigation of” and the like in the title the Research
because all these are understood to have been done in research.
1. general situations related to the main problem
4. If the title contains more than one line, it should be written in inverted pyramid.
2. specific situations observed and experienced by the researcher
5. When typed or encoded in the title page, all words in the title should be in capital letters.
3. related concepts and ideas to the problem including important vocabularies
6. If possible, the title should not be longer than 15 substantive words.
4. discussion of existing or present situations
7. Avoid a long-detailed title that gives detailed information.
5. gaps to be filled in by the study
8. If the terms such as assessment and evaluation are already emphasized in the study,
these should be deleted in the title to shorten it.
STATING RESEARCH QUESTIONS STANDARDS IN
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD TITLE FORMULATING GOOD RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The following are the standard attributes of a good and accurate research title:
1. The title should provide clear information about the objectives and contents of the 1. The research questions should reflect objectives that are observable, measurable, or
research. verifiable.
2. The research title should not be stuffy or dull, instead it should capture what the study will 2. The research questions should reflect clear goals or objectives, stated in precise goals.
cover. 3. The research questions or problems should be limited enough to make definite conclusions
3. A research title should be in phrase form rather than a complete sentence. possible.
4. Formulate a research title in a straightforward manner. 4. The major research question may be followed by minor statements or questions.
5. A research title does not make use of a punctuation. 6. A research title is not underlined or
enclosed in quotation marks. Investigative Questions- are the specific questions in topical form that lead to the
attainment of research objectives and in testing the hypothesis.