Quantitative

Research Method
Farhana Saeed Hashmi
I n t ro d u c t i o n to
Quantitative Research

“Quantitative research is ‘Explaining

phenomena by collecting numerical
data that are analysed using
mathematically based methods (in
particular statistics)”.
 “Quantitative methods emphasize objective
measurements and the statistical, mathematical, or
numerical analysis of data collected through polls,
questionnaires, and surveys, or by manipulating pre-
existing statistical data using computational
techniques. Quantitative research focuses on
gathering numerical data and generalizing it across
groups of people or to explain a particular
phenomenon”.
What is Quantitative Research?
▪ In a nutshell, quantitative research generates numerical
data or information that can be converted into numbers.
▪ Only measurable data are being gathered and analyzed in
quantitative research.
▪ Goal or Aim of the Research:
• – The primary aim of a Quantitative Research is to focus more in counting and
classifying features and constructing statistical models and figures to explain what
is observed.

▪ Quantitative Research is highly recommended for the late phase of

research because it provides the researcher a clearer picture of what
to expect in his research compared to Qualitative Research.
▪ Data Gathering Instrument
– Quantitative Research makes use of tools such as questionnaires,
surveys, measurements and other equipment to collect numerical or
measurable data.
▪ Type of Data
– if you are conducting a Quantitative Research, what will most likely
appear in
• your discussion are tables containing data in the form of numbers and
statistics.
▪ Approach
– In Quantitative Research, researchers tend to remain objectively separated
from the subject matter. This is because Quantitative Research is objective
in approach in the sense that it only seeks precise measurements and
analysis of target concepts to answer his inquiry.
Why to conduct Quantitative study
▪ If your study aims to find out the answer to an inquiry through
numerical evidence, then you should make use of the Quantitative
Research.
▪ In general, use qualitative research at the beginning of a design
process to uncover innovations. Use quantitative research at the
end of a design process to measure improvement.
▪ The main activity for which quantitative research is especially
suited is the testing of hypotheses.
Quantitative Data
• Quantitative data is information about quantities; that is,
information that can be measured and written down with
numbers.”
▪ Some examples of quantitative data are your height, your
shoe size etc.
▪ Quantitative data defines whereas qualitative data describes.
Units and variables
▪ Units: When we collect data in quantitative educational research,
we have to collect them from someone or something. The people
or things (e.g. schools) we collect data on or from are known as
units or cases.
▪ Variables: The data that we are collecting from these units are
known as variables. Variables are any characteristic of the unit
we are interested in and want to collect (e.g. gender, age, self-
esteem).
▪ The label‘variable’ refers to the fact that these data will
differ between units.
• For example, achievement will differ between pupils and
schools, gender will differ between pupils, and so on.
▪ If there are no differences at all between the units we want to
study, we probably aren’t going to be able to do any interesting
research (for example, studying whether pupils are human would
not yield interesting findings).
Quantitative Research Design
•Quantitative research design is the standard experimental method
of most scientific disciplines.

 They are most commonly used by physical scientists, although social

sciences, education and economics have been known to use this type of
research. It is the opposite of qualitative research.
 Quantitative experiments all use a standard format, with a few minor
inter-disciplinary differences, of generating a hypothesis to be proved or
disproved. This hypothesis must be provable by mathematical and
statistical means, and is the basis around which the whole experiment is
designed.
Quantitative Research Design
▪ Randomization of any study groups is essential, and a control
group should be included, wherever possible. A sound
quantitative design should only manipulate one variable at a time
which involves systematically changing a variable to see how it
affects other variables, otherwise statistical analysis becomes
cumbersome and open to question.
▪ Ideally, the research should be constructed in a manner that
allows others to repeat the experiment and obtain similar results.
Quantitative Research Design
▪ There are four main types of Quantitative research:
1. Descriptive
2. Co relational
3. Causal-Comparative/Quasi-Experimental
4. Experimental Research.
 Descriptive Research
▪ This type of research describes what exists and may help to uncover new facts
and
meaning. The purpose of descriptive research is to
•observe, describe, document
aspects of a situation as it naturally occurs.
▪ This involves the collection of data that will provide an account or
description of individuals, groups or situations. Instruments we use to
obtain data in descriptive studies include questionnaires, interviews
(closed questions), observation (checklists, etc.)

The characteristics of individuals and groups such as nurses, patients and

families may be the focus of descriptive research. It can provide a knowledge
base which can act as a springboard for other types of quantitative research
methods.
• Purpose: To describe a population, situation, or
phenomenon
• Data collection: Surveys, questionnaires, and other methods
are used to collect numerical data
• Data analysis: Statistical techniques are used to generate
descriptive statistics, such as means, frequencies, or
percentages
• Research focus: Focuses on objective measurement and
statistical analysis
• Research role: The researcher observes and measures
variables, but does not control or manipulate them
• Research application: Useful for identifying patterns and
trends in data
CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH
▪ Quantitative correlational research aims to systematically investigate
and explain the nature of the relationship between variables in the
real world. Often the quantifiable data (i.e. data that we can quantify
or count) from descriptive studies are frequently analyzed in this way.
▪ Correlational research studies go beyond simply describing what
exists and are concerned with systematically investigating
relationships between two or more variables of interest (Porter
& Carter 2000).
▪ Such studies only describe and attempt to explain the nature of
relationships that exist, and do not examine causality (i.e. whether
one variable causes the other).
• Measures variables
Researchers
occur. measure variables as they naturally
• Determines strength and direction
Researchers
determine the calculate
strengthcorrelation
and coefficients to
direction of the relationship between variables.
• Shows associations
Correlational
variables, butstudies show
they don't associations between
establish
causality.
• Uses scatterplots
Correlations
often presentedbetween
using quantitative
[Link] are
• Can achieve multiple objectives
Correlational research can be
reliability and validity, provide used to establish
converging evidence,
and make predictions. and describe relationships
Causal-comparative/quasi-
experimental research
•

•
• Independent variable
The researcher identifies the independent variable but
doesn’t
manipulate it.
• Groups
The researcher uses pre-existing groups or groups that
are naturally
formed.
• Research bias
Causal-comparative research can be prone to research
bias, especially
subject-selection bias.
• Extraneous variables
Extraneous variables can affect the outcome of the
research, so it’s
important to identify and control for them
Experimental Research
▪ often called true experimentation, uses the scientific method
to establish the cause- effect relationship among a group of
variables that make up a study.
▪ The true experiment is often thought of as a laboratory study, but
this is not always the case; a laboratory setting has nothing to do
with it. A true experiment is any study where an effort is made
to identify and impose control over all other variables except one.
▪ An independent variable is manipulated to determine the
effects on the dependent variables. Subjects are randomly
assigned to experimental treatments rather than identified in
naturally occurring groups
• Measuring variables: The researcher measures the
variables before
and after an intervention.
• Manipulating variables: The researcher influences or
intervenes with
the variables in some way.
• Measuring variables again: The researcher measures
the variables
again to determine how the intervention affected them.
Experimental quantitative research has several
advantages, including:
• Cause and effect: Experimental research can establish
cause-and-
effect relationships.
• Controlled environment: The controlled environment
of experimental
research enhances the accuracy and replicability of
findings.
• Statistical analysis: Researchers can use
sophisticated statistical
analyses to detect subtle effects
What i s the basic methodology f o r a
quantitative research design?
• The overall structure for a quantitative design is based in the scientific
method.
• It uses deductive reasoning, where the researcher forms a hypothesis,
collects data in an investigation of the problem, and then uses the data
from the investigation, after analysis is made and conclusions are
shared, to prove the hypotheses if its false or not.
• The basic procedure of a quantitative design is:
1. Make your observations about something that is unknown,
unexplained, or new. Investigate current theory surrounding your
problem or issue.
2. Hypothesize an explanation for those observations.
3. Make a prediction of outcomes based on your
hypotheses. Formulate a plan to test your
prediction.

4. Verify your findings. Make your final conclusions.

Present your findings in an appropriate form for your
audience.
Advantages
▪ Quantitative research design is an excellent way of finalizing results and
proving or disproving a hypothesis. The structure has not changed for
centuries, so is standard across many scientific fields and disciplines.
▪ After statistical analysis of the results, a comprehensive answer is reached,
and the results can be legitimately discussed and published.
▪ Quantitative experiments also filter out external factors, if properly
designed, and so the results gained can be seen as real and unbiased.
▪ Quantitative experiments are useful for testing the results gained by a series
of qualitative experiments, leading to a final answer, and a narrowing down
of possible directions for follow up research to take.
 Disadvantages

▪ Quantitative experiments can be difficult and expensive and require a lot of time to
perform.
▪ They must be carefully planned to ensure that there is complete randomization
and correct designation of control groups.
▪ Quantitative studies usually require extensive statistical analysis, which can be difficult,
due to most scientists not being statisticians. The field of statistical study is a whole
scientific discipline and can be difficult for non-mathematicians
▪ The requirements for the successful statistical confirmation of results are very
stringent, with very few experiments comprehensively proving a hypothesis;
there is usually some ambiguity, which requires retesting and refinement to the
design. This means another investment of time and resources must be
committed to fine-tune the results.
▪ Quantitative research design also tends to generate only proved or unproven
results, with there being very little room for grey areas and uncertainty. For the
social sciences, education, anthropology and psychology, human nature is a lot
more complex than just a simple yes or no response
 Characteristics of QUAN research
▪ The data is usually gathered using structured research instruments.

• The results are based on larger sample sizes that are representative of the

population.

• The research study can usually be replicated or repeated, given its high reliability.

• Researcher has a clearly defined research question to which objective answers are

sought.

• All aspects of the study are carefully designed before data is collected.
▪ Data are in the form of numbers and statistics, often arranged in tables, charts, figures, or

other non-textual forms.

▪ Project can be used to generalize concepts more widely, predict future results, or investigate

causal relationships.

▪ Researcher uses tools, such as questionnaires or computer software, to collect numerical

data.

▪ The overarching aim of a quantitative research study is to classify features, count them, and

construct statistical models in an attempt to explain what is observed.

Key Points
•Quantitative Research:
▪ Has its main purpose in quantification of data (to describe variables).
▪ To examine relationships among variables.
▪ To determine cause-and- effect interactions between variables.
▪ Allows generalizations of results from a sample to an entire
population of interest.
▪ Measurement of the incidence of various views and opinions in a
• given sample.