QUANTITATIVE

RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
Research Methods
Two Main Types:
1. Quantitative Research
2. Qualitative Research
Research Methods

Quantitative Research Qualitative Research

 Quantitative Research

“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”.

Babbie, Earl R. The Practice of Social Research. 12th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage, 2010; Muijs,
Daniel. Doing Quantitative Research in Education with SPSS. 2nd edition. London: SAGE Publications,
2010.
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.
What is Quantitative 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.
When do Quantitative Research?

▪ 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.
▪ French sociology Pierre Bourdieu followed a typical arc to the
narrative research by first investigating economic class in an
open-ended fashion. Once he established what he thought was
going on, he tested these ideas with large surveys.
▪ 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, and the length of your
fingernails.
▪ Quantitative data defines whereas qualitative
data describes.
Units and variables in Quantitative
data

▪ 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).
Units and Variables

▪ 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, or 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. Correlational
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.)
▪ There is no experimental manipulation or indeed any random selection
to groups, as there is in experimental research.
▪ 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
 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 analysed 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).
 CAUSAL-COMPARATIVE/QUASI-
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
▪ Quasi-experimental research attempts to establish cause-effect relationships among the
variables. These types of design are very similar to true experiments, but with some key
differences.
▪ An independent variable is identified but not manipulated by the experimenter, and effects
of the independent variable on the dependent variable are measured.
▪ It is not the same as true experimental research because quasi-experimental research
studies lack one or both of the essential properties of randomisation and a control group.
▪ The researcher does not randomly assign groups and must use ones that are naturally
formed or pre-existing groups.
▪ The major drawback with quasi-experimental research is that, compared to experimental
research, it has a weakness in that is not possible to deliver 'cause and effect' results.
▪ In other words, we cannot infer from quasi-experimental research that, for example, doing
one thing causes a particular phenomenon (e.g. smoking cigarettes causes cancer).
▪ Identified control groups exposed to the treatment variable are studied and compared to
groups who are not.
 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.
 What is the basic methodology for 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 an 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 not false or false. 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. Collect and process your data. If your prediction was correct, go to step 5. If not, the
hypothesis has been proven false. Return to step 2 to form a new hypothesis based on
your new knowledge.

5. Verify your findings. Make your final conclusions. Present your findings in an appropriate
 Advantages of Quantitative Research

▪ 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
 Disadvantages of Quantitative
Research

▪ 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 Quantitative
Research

Its main characteristics are:

▪ 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.