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DEFINITION: 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.
CHARACTERISTICS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH:
Your goal in conducting quantitative research study is to determine the relationship between one
thing (an independent variable) and another [a dependent or outcome variable] within
a population. Quantitative research designs are either descriptive [subjects usually
measured once] or experimental [subjects measured before and after a treatment ]. A
descriptive study establishes only associations between variables; an experimental study establishes
causality.

Quantitative research deals in numbers, logic, and an objective stance .

Quantitative research focuses on numeric and unchanging data and detailed,
convergent reasoning rather than divergent reasoning [i.e., the generation of a
variety of ideas about a research problem in a spontaneous, free-flowing manner].

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.

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Figure 1 A comparison of the strengths and weakness of Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Importance of Quantitative Research

1. More reliable and objective
2. Can use statistics to generalize a finding
3. Often reduces and restructures a complex problem to a limited number of
variables
4. Looks at relationships between variables and can establish cause and effect in
highly controlled circumstances
5. Tests theories or hypotheses
6. Assumes sample is representative of the population
7. Subjectivity of researcher in methodology is recognized less
8. Less detailed than qualitative data and may miss a desired response from the
participant

What are the main types of quantitative approaches to research?

It is easier to understand the different types of quantitative research designs if you consider how the researcher
If the researcher views quantitative design as a
designs for control of the variables in the investigation.
continuum, one end of the range represents a design where the variables are not controlled
at all and only observed. Connections amongst variable are only described. At the other end of the spectrum,
however, are designs which include a very close control of variables, and relationships amongst those variables are
clearly established. In the middle, with experiment design moving from one type to the other, is a range which blends
those two extremes together.

There are four main types of Quantitative research: Descriptive, Correlational, Causal-
Comparative/Quasi-Experimental, and Experimental Research.

Descriptive Correlational Causal- Experimental

research seeks to research attempts to
comparative/quasi research, often called true
describe the current determine the extent experimental research experimentation, uses the
status of an of a relationship attempts to establish scientific method to
between two or more cause effect relationships establish the cause-effect
identified variable.
variables using among the variables. relationship among a
These research projects are
designed to provide statistical data. In this These types of design are group of variables that
systematic information type of design, very similar to true make up a study. The true
about a phenomenon. relationships between and experiments, but with some experiment is often
The researcher does not among a number of facts key differences. An thought of as a laboratory
usually begin with a are sought and interpreted. independent variable is study, but
hypothesis, but is This type of research will identified but not this is not
likely to develop one recognize trends and manipulated by the always the
patterns in data, but it experimenter, and effects case; a
after collecting data.
does not go so far in its of the independent variable laboratory

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The analysis and synthesis analysis to prove causes for on the dependent variable setting has nothing to do
of the data provide the these observed patterns. are measured. with it. A true experiment is
test of the hypothesis. Cause and effect is not The researcher does not any study where an effort is
Systematic collection of the basis of this type of randomly assign groups made to identify and
information requires observational research. and must use ones that impose control over all
careful selection of the The data, relationships, and
are naturally formed or other variables except one.
units studied and careful distributions of variables
pre-existing groups. An independent variable is
measurement of each are studied only. Variables
Identified control groups manipulated to determine
variable. are not manipulated; they
exposed to the treatment the effects on the
are only identified and are
variable are studied and dependent variables.
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What is the meaning of VARIABLES in research?

In scientific research, scientists, technicians and researchers utilize a variety of methods and variables
when conducting their experiments. In simple terms, a variable represents a measurable attribute
that changes or varies across the experiment whether comparing results between multiple

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groups, multiple people or even when using a single person in an experiment conducted
over time. In all, there are six common variable types.

Variables represents the measurable traits that can change over the course of a scientific experiment. In all there are

six basic variable types: dependent, independent, intervening,

moderator, controlled and extraneous variables.

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INDEPENDENT AND DEPENDENT VARIABLES

In general, experiments purposefully change one variable, which is the independent variable. But a
variable
that changes in direct response to the independent variable is the dependent variable . Say
there’s an experiment to test whether changing the position of an ice cube affects its ability to melt. The change in an
ice cube's position represents the independent variable. The result of whether the ice cube melts or not is the
dependent variable.

INTERVENING AND MODERATOR VARIABLES

Intervening variables link the independent and dependent variables, but as abstract
processes, they are not directly observable during the experiment. For example, if studying the use
of a specific teaching technique for its effectiveness, the technique represents the independent variable, while the
completion of the technique's objectives by the study participants represents the dependent variable, while the actual
processes used internally by the students to learn the subject matter represents the intervening variables.

By modifying the effect of the intervening variables -- the unseen processes -- moderator variables influence the
relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Researchers measure moderator variables and take
them into consideration during the experiment.

CONSTANT OR CONTROLLABLE VARIABLE

Sometimes certain characteristics of the objects under scrutiny are deliberately left unchanged. These are
known as constant or controlled variables. In the ice cube experiment, one constant or controllable variable
could be the size and shape of the cube. By keeping the ice cubes' sizes and shapes the same, it's easier to
measure the differences between the cubes as they melt after shifting their positions, as they all started out
as the same size.

EXTRANEOUS VARIABLES

A well-designed experiment eliminates as many unmeasured extraneous variables as

possible. This makes it easier to observe the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. These
extraneous variables, also known as unforeseen factors, can affect the interpretation of experimental results. Lurking
variables, as a subset of extraneous variables represent the unforeseen factors in the experiment.

(Note: in the context of our subject, the most important types of variables that we will always deal with is the
DEPENDENT and INDEPENDENT VARIABLES.)