PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2

Activity 1: Finding clues Directions: Group the following word clues if they are characteristics of Quantitative
Research (Box A) or Qualitative Research (Box B). (1 WHOLE SHEET OF PAPER)

1. Measurable 6. Text-based 11. Subjective

2. Behavior 7. Intervention 12. Small sample

3. Statistical 8. Experimental group 13. Tables and charts

4. Narrative 9. Unstructured observation 14. Deductive

5. Objective 10. Inductive 15. Generalizable

A. Quantitative Research B. Qualitative Research

INTRODUCTION TO QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

Quantitative Research

You have learned from Practical Research 1 that research method is classified into two main types:
quantitative and qualitative. While both methods utilize a specific data gathering procedure, the former is generally
concerned with understanding phenomenon relating to or involving quality or kind. The latter, on the other hand, is
based on the measurement or quantity. In this module, we will focus on quantitative methods of research and its
different kinds.

Quantitative research uses scientifically collected and statistically analyzed data to investigate observable
phenomena. A phenomenon is any existing or observable fact or situation that we want to unearth further or
understand. It is scientific for the fact that it uses a scientific method in designing and collecting numerical data.
Once data is collected, it will undergo statistical analysis like Pearson’s r, t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for
analysis. Since data is analyzed statistically, it is imperative that the data obtained must be numerical and
quantifiable, hence its name quantitative research.

Numerical data are generally easier to collect than descriptions or phrases used in qualitative research.
Information like student’s grades in different subjects, number of hours of engagement in social media platforms of
teens, percentage of consumers who prefer the color blue for soap packaging, and average of daily Covid-19 patient
recovery per region are just few examples of research data expressed in numbers. Some data, on the other hand, are
not directly countable and thus require conversion from non-numerical information into numerical information. For
instance, determining which brand of canned sardines is the best choice for consumers in terms of taste cannot be
expressed in numbers unless we do a survey using a rating scale. Several forms of rating scales are available, e.g., the
Likert scale that we can use to quantify data. Usually, they come in a selection of numbers with a corresponding
meaning for each choice, for example: 1= tastes very good, 2 = satisfactory, or 3 = undesirable. Numerical choices
convert texts into numbers so the researcher can perform mathematical operations for faster, more accurate, and
more objective analysis.

Characteristics of Quantitative Research

Quantitative research is commonly used in natural sciences research problems because of the following
characteristics:
1. Large Sample Size. To obtain more meaningful statistical result, the data must come from a large sample size.

2. Objectivity. Data gathering and analysis of results are done accurately, objectively, and are unaffected by the
researcher’s intuition and personal guesses.

3. Concise Visual Presentation. Data is numerical which makes presentation through graphs, charts, and tables
possible and with better conveyance and interpretation.

4. Faster Data Analysis. The use of a statistical tools gives way for a less timeconsuming data analysis.

5. Generalized Data. Data taken from a sample can be applied to the population if sampling is done accordingly, i.e.,
sufficient size and random samples were taken.

6. Fast and Easy Data Collection. Depending on the type of data needed, collection can be quick and easy.
Quantitative research uses standardized research instruments that allow the researcher to collect data from a large
sample size efficiently. For instance, a single survey form can be administered simultaneously to collect various
measurable characteristics like age, gender, socio-economic status, etc.

7. Reliable Data. Data is taken and analyzed objectively from a sample as a representative of the population, making
it more credible and reliable for policymaking and decision making.

8. High Replicability. The Quantitative method can be repeated to verify findings enhancing its validity, free from
false or immature conclusions.

Advantages of Quantitative Research The following are the advantages of quantitative research or its strengths:

1. Very objective
2. Numerical and quantifiable data can be used to predict outcomes.
3. Findings are generalizable to the population.
4. There is conclusive establishment of cause and effect
5. Fast and easy data analysis using statistical software.
6. Fast and easy data gathering
7. Quantitative research can be replicated or repeated.
8. Validity and reliability can be established

Disadvantages of Quantitative Research

The following are the disadvantages of quantitative research or its weaknesses:

1. It lacks the necessary data to explore a problem or concept in depth.

2. It does not provide comprehensive explanation of human experiences.
3. Some information cannot be described by numerical data such as feelings, and beliefs.
4. The research design is rigid and not very flexible.
5. The participants are limited to choose only from the given responses.
6. The respondents may tend to provide inaccurate responses.
7. A large sample size makes data collection more costly.

Kinds of Quantitative Research

Quantitative research is a broad spectrum that it can be classified into smaller and more specific kinds:
descriptive, correlational, ex post facto, quasi-experimental, and experimental.

Descriptive design is used to describe a particular phenomenon by observing it as it occurs in nature. There is no
experimental manipulation, and the researcher does not start with a hypothesis. The goal of descriptive research is
only to describe the person or object of the study. An example of descriptive research design is “the determination
of the different kinds of physical activities and how often high school students do it during the quarantine period.”
The correlational design identifies the relationship between variables. Data is collected by observation since it does
not consider the cause and effect, for example, the relationship between the amount of physical activity done and
student academic achievement.

Ex post facto design is used to investigate a possible relationship between previous events and present conditions.
The term “Ex post facto” which means after the fact, looks at the possible causes of an already occurring
phenomenon. Just like the first two, there is no experimental manipulation in this design. An example of this is “How
does the parent’s academic achievement affect the children obesity?”

A quasi-experimental design is used to establish the cause-and-effect relationship of variables. Although it

resembles the experimental design, the quasi-experimental has lesser validity due to the absence of random
selection and assignment of subjects. Here, the independent variable is identified but not manipulated. The
researcher does not modify pre-existing groups of subjects. The group exposed to treatment (experimental) is
compared to the group unexposed to treatment (control): example, the effects of unemployment on attitude
towards following safety protocol in ECQ declared areas.

Experimental design like quasi- experimental is used to establish the cause-and-effect relationship of two or more
variables. This design provides a more conclusive result because it uses random assignment of subjects and
experimental manipulations. For example, a comparison of the effects of various blended learning to the reading
comprehension of elementary pupils.

Activity : True or False

Directions: On the space provided, write TRUE if the statement describes quantitative research and FALSE if it is
incorrect. (1 WHOLE SHEET OF PAPER)

_______1. Quantitative data can be presented using tables and graphs.

_______2. The results of quantitative research can be used to generalize and predict.

_______3. Quantitative research is flexible so at any stage, the study may change.

_______4. Quantitative data are more credible, reliable, and useful than qualitative data.

_______5. The research study cannot be replicated or repeated because it is unique in every case.

_______6. Data are in the form of numbers and analyzed statistically.

_______7. Data analysis is an on-going process. It can be done at any stage of the process.

_______8. The behavior of the participants is observed and is critical to the analysis of results.

_______9. Analysis of data is less time-consuming.

______10. In quantitative research, the researcher participates and engages the participants in the study