INTRODUCTION
Quantitative research is a type of empirical
investigation. That means the research focuses on verifiable
observation as opposed to theory or logic. Most often this
type of research is expressed in numbers. A researcher will
represent and manipulate certain observations that they are
studying. They will attempt to explain what it is they are
seeing and what affect it has on the subject. They will also
determine and what the changes may reflect. The overall
goal is to convey numerically what is being seen in the
research and to arrive at specific and observable conclusions.
To better understand this style of
research we need to break down its
major tenets. There are three:
observing and explaining
something that happens, collecting
information, and analyzing the
information. The combination of these
three parts is at work when presenting
OBSERVING & EXPLAINING
Observing and explaining occurrences
is the first step. The search for this
explanation can be presented in the form of
a question. It can also be expressed as a
hypothesis. In the case of a hypothesis the
search for an explanation is made as a
statement to be proved of disproved –
COLLECTION OF INFORMATION
The collection of information in quantitative
research is what sets it apart from other types.
Quantitative research is focused specifically on
numerical information, also known as ‘data.’
Because the research requires its conductor to
use mathematical analysis to investigate what is
being observed, the information collected must
be in numbers.
ANALYZE THE DATA
The last step of the research revolves
around using mathematics to analyze the
‘data’ collected. This is done with statistics.
When most people think about quantitative
research they think specifically about
statistics.
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS
SURVEY RESEARCH
CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH
CAUSAL – COMPARATIVE/CAUSE & EFFECT
RESEARCH
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
SURVEY RESEARCH
Survey research uses interviews, questionnaires, and
sampling polls to get a sense of behavior with intense precision.
It allows researchers to judge behavior and then present the
findings in an accurate way. This is usually expressed in a
percentage. Survey research can be conducted around one
group specifically or used to compare several groups. When
conducting survey research it is important that the people
questioned are sampled at random. This allows for more
accurate findings across a greater spectrum of respondents.
CONTINUATION..
There are several ways to conduct survey
research. They can be done in person, over the
phone, or through mail or email. In the last
instance they can be self-administered. When
conducted on a single group survey research is
its own category. However survey research can
be applied to the other types of research .
CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH
Correlational research tests for the relationships between
two variables. Performing correlational research is done to
establish what the affect of one on the other might be and how
that affects the relationship. Correlational research is
conducted in order to explain a noticed occurrence. In
correlational research the survey is conducted on a minimum
of two groups. In most correlational research there is a level of
manipulation involved with the specific variables being
researched. Once the information is compiled it is then
analyzed mathematically to draw conclusions about the affect
that one has on the other.
CONTINUATION..
Remember, correlation does not
always mean causation. For example,
just because two data points sync
doesn’t mean that there is a direct
cause and effect relationship. Typically,
you should not make assumptions from
correlational research alone.
CAUSAL – COMPARATIVE RESEARCH
Causal-comparative research looks to uncover a cause
and effect relationship. This research is not conducted
between the two groups on each other. Rather than look
solely for a statistical relationship between two variables it
tries to identify, specifically, how the different groups are
affected by the same circumstance. Causal-comparative
research involves ‘comparison.’ In causal-comparative
research the study of two or more groups is done without
focusing on their relationship. As always the use of
statistical analysis is engaged to synthesize the data in a
clear method for presentation.
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
Though questions may be posed in the other
forms of research, experimental research is guided
specifically by a hypothesis. Sometimes
experimental research can have several
hypotheses. A hypothesis is a statement to be
proven or disproved. Once that statement is made
experiments are begun to find out whether the
statement is true or not. This type of research is the
bedrock of most sciences, in particular the natural
SUMMARY
Quantitative research can be
exciting and highly informative. It can
be used to help explain all sorts of
phenomena. The best quantitative
research gathers precise empirical data
and can be applied to gain a better
understanding of several fields of
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