 Characteristics of Quantitative Research

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1. Large Sample Size

The first and foremost characteristic of quantitative research is the large sample size to conduct research. Quantitative research is done on a large number of
audiences to ensure reliability. The sample size used in quantitative research represents the whole target market.

2. Structured Research Methods

Structural research methods like questionnaires, polls, and surveys are used to conduct quantitative research. In-depth information about the preferences of the
audience can be drawn using these structured research methods and can collect the opinion of a large population. In addition to this, these research methods are
easy to conduct through offline means. Also, a participant is only required to fill out the questionnaire and is not required to be part of the research process for a
long time.

3. Highly Reliable Outcome-

The outcome of quantitative research methods is quite reliable, as participants of the research face close-ended questions. Therefore, there are fewer chances of
getting vague information or wrong information from the participants. Quantitative research methods are used for industrial research purposes because of its
reliability. Moreover, the Outcome of quantitative research is easy to understand and explain. The researchers present the outcome of the research to get the
approval of the management, and management can understand this information quickly because it is represented in the form of tables and graphs.

4. Reusable Outcome

Another characteristic of quantitative research is that the outcome of quantitative research can be used multiple times. Data collected for one research purpose
can be used for the prior study of another research problem. Sometimes, researchers make the use of the outcome of research for similar research problems,
which reduces the expense and time required for conducting research.

5. Close-ended questions

Another characteristic of quantitative research is close-ended questions. Close-ended question’s answers are more specific and right to the question. Moreover,
responses to Close-ended questions are more reliable than the answers to questions of open-ended questions.

6. Numerical Outcome

The outcome of quantitative research is always in numerical form. For example, the result of research can be represented in percentage, range of numbers. A
numerical output is easy to read and understand, and it is easy to deduce a conclusion from the numerical outcome than a detailed result.
7. Generalization of Outcome

The outcome of quantitative research can be generalised easily for the whole population. The reason behind this is that quantitative research is conducted on a
large sample of the population. A decision can be taken for the entire population based on the outcome of the sample population.

8. Prior study

The outcome of quantitative research can be used for a previous study of another research. Many scholars and researchers study and analyze the outcome of
previous research to establish their research hypothesis or research problem.

 Strength of Quantitative Research

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In quantitative research, variables are identified and defined, and then relevant data is collected from study participants. A strength of this type of research is
that the data is in numeric form, making it easier to interpret. It also studies the relationship between independent and dependent variables and can address
questions such as does a relationship between variables exist, what is the direction of the relationship, how strong is the relationship between the variables, and
what is the nature of the relationship.

 Weaknesse of Quantitative Research

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1. Improper representation of the target population

Improper representation of the target population might hinder the researcher for achieving its desired aims and objectives. Despite of applying appropriate
sampling plan representation of the subjects is dependent on the probability distribution of observed data. This may led to miscalculation of probability
distribution and lead to falsity in proposition

2. Lack of resources for data collection

Quantitative research methodology usually requires a large sample size. However due to the lack of resources this large-scale research becomes impossible. In
many developing countries, interested parties (e.g., government or non-government organisations, public service providers, educational institutions, etc.) may
lack knowledge and especially the resources needed to conduct a thorough quantitative research (Science 2001).

3. Inability to control the environment

Sometimes researchers face problems to control the environment where the respondents provide answers to the questions in the survey (Baxter 2008).
Responses often depend on particular time which again is dependent on the conditions occurring during that particular time frame.

4. Limited outcomes in a quantitative research

Quantitative research method involves structured questionnaire with close ended questions. It leads to limited outcomes outlined in the research proposal.
So the results cannot always represent the actual occurring, in a generalised form. Also, the respondents have limited options of responses, based on the
selection made by the researcher.

5. Expensive and time consuming

Quantitative research is difficult, expensive and requires a lot of time to be perform the analysis. This type of research is planned carefully in order to ensure
complete randomization and correct designation of control groups (Morgan 1980). A large proportion of respondents is appropriate for the representation of
the target population. So, as to achieve in-depth responses on an issue, data collection in quantitative research methodology is often too expensive as against
qualitative approach.

6. Difficulty in data analysis

Quantitative study requires extensive statistical analysis, which can be difficult to perform for researchers from non- statistical backgrounds. Statistical
analysis is based on scientific discipline and hence difficult for non-mathematicians to perform.

7. Requirement of extra resources to analyse the results

The requirements for the successful statistical confirmation of result is very tough in a quantitative research. Hypothesis is proven with few experiments due
to which there is ambiguity in the results. Results are retested and refined several times for an unambiguous conclusion (Ong 2003). So it requires extra
time, investment and resources to refine the results.

 Kinds of Quantitative Research

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1. Descriptive research

Seeks to describe the current status of an identified variable. These research projects are designed to provide systematic information about a phenomenon. The
researcher does not usually begin with hypothesis, but is likely to develop one after collecting data. The analysis and synthesis of the data provide the test of the
hypothesis. Systematic collection of information requires careful selection of the units studied and careful measurement of each variable.
 2. Correlational research

Attempts to determine the extent of a relationship between two or more variables using statistical data. In this type of design, relationships between and among
a number of facts are sought and interpreted. This type of research will recognize trends and patterns in data, but it does not go so far in its analysis to prove
causes for these observed patterns. Cause and effect are not the basis of this type of observational research. The data, relationships, and distributions of
variables are studied only. Variables are not manipulated; they are only identified and are studied as they occur in a natural setting.

3. Causal - Comparative research

Attempts to establish cause and 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. The researcher does not randomly assign groups and must use ones that are naturally formed or pre-existing groups. Identified control groups
exposed to the treatment variable are studied and compared to groups who are not. When analyses and conclusions are made, determining causes must be done
carefully, as other variables, both known and unknown, could still affect the outcome.

4. 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.

 Importance of Quantitative Research Across the Fields

A. Social Science
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%20events%20that%20affect%20people.&text=Quantitative%20research%20produces%20objective%20data,communicated%20through%20statistics
%20and%20numbers.

The purpose of quantitative research is to attain greater knowledge and understanding of the social world. Researchers use quantitative methods to observe
situations or events that affect people. Quantitative research produces objective data that can be clearly communicated through statistics and numbers.

B. Natural and Physical Sciences

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Quantitative research is widely used in both the natural and social sciences, including physics, biology, psychology, sociology, geology, education, and
journalism. The objective of quantitative research is to develop and employ mathematical models, theories and hypotheses pertaining to natural phenomena.

C. Agriculture and Fisheries

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The importance of quantitative research to agriculture and fishery cannot be overemphasized because it is useful in finding disease patterns in crops,
eliminating those threats, and preventing them from occurring in future. Another importance is the use of it to make calculated predictions or guesses to find out
market trends for agricultural produces and fishes which in turn will help the farmer plan well and maximize profits. (https://brainly.com/question/18327351)

D. Sports
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Sport research aims to clarify the underlying processes that underlie how athletes perform. It gives athletes and coaches a way to get reliable information and
use it to improve their performance in sports. It aids in the formation of coaching beliefs on the creation of coaching strategies and programs.

E. Business
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%20busy%20entrepreneurs,be%20processed%20with%20speed%20too.

Quantitative research gives busy entrepreneurs the ability to collect large volumes of data quickly and efficiently, providing a generalised view of your target
demographic beyond your survey participants. The analysis and result of a survey can also be processed with speed too.

F. Arts and Design

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%20to,heuristic%20world%20of%20arts%20education.

Quantitative research aims to measure the impact of the arts on student learning by testing the claims of its advocates through controlled, experimental methods,
qualitative research methods may be applied in an effort to describe the impact of the arts in education within the heuristic world of arts education.

G. Environmental Science
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%20facing%20increasingly,potential%20solutions%20with%20greater%20confidence.
With our world facing increasingly complex environmental issues, quantitative techniques reduce the numerous uncertainties by providing a reliable
representation of reality, enabling us to proceed toward potential solutions with greater confidence.