Quantitative research is the process of collecting and analyzing numerical data.

It emphasizes 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. The final written report has a
set structure consisting of introduction, literature and theory, methods, results, and
discussion (Cresswell, 2013).

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 (Babbie, 2010).

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

focuses on numeric and unchanging data and detailed, convergent reasoning rather
than divergent reasoning such as the generation of a variety of ideas about a research
problem in a spontaneous, free-flowing manner (Babbie, 2010).

Characteristics of Quantitative Research

The main characteristics of qualitative research (Brians, Craig Leonard et al.

(2011) are the following:
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.
The 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.

The researcher uses tools, such as questionnaires or computer software, to collect

numerical data.

The Strengths and Weaknesses of Quantitative Research

The quantitative as survey approach has two significant advantages. First, it can
be admini stered and evaluated quickly. There is no need to spend time at the
organization prior to administering the survey, and the responses can be tabulated
within a short timeframe. Second, numerical data obtained through this approach
 facilitates comparisons between organizations or groups, as well as allowing
determination of the extent of agreement or disagreement between respondents
(Yauch and Steudel, 2003).

Weaknesses
Strengths
1. No human
1. Reliability by
perception and
critical analyzed.
beliefs.
2. Short time frame Quantitative
Research 2. Lack of
for administered
resources for
survey. Methodology
large scale
3. Facilitated Approach research.
numerical data for
3. No depth
groups and extents of
experience
agree or disagree from
description .
respondents.

Figure 1. The Strengths and Weaknesses of Quantitative

Methodology by Carr, L. T. (1994)

TYPES OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

The term research can mean any sort of “systematic research in any field of
inquiry” (Kabir, 2016). Basic research is concerned with clarifying underlying
processes, with the hypothesis usually expressed as a theory. On the other hand,
applied research is interested in examining the effectiveness of particular
educational practices. Researchers engaged in applied research studies may or may
not want to investigate the degree to which certain theories are useful in practical
settings.
Experimental Research
Experimental research is the most conclusive of scientific methods because the
researcher actually establishes different treatments and then studies their effects.
Results from this type of research are likely to lead to the most clear-cut
interpretation. It is very popular in natural sciences such as the Science Investigatory
Project (SIP) in the junior high school.

Correlational Research
Correlational research is a type of research that is done to determine
relationships among two or more variables and to explore their implications for cause
and effect. An example question for correlational research is, Is there a relationship
between student’s academic performance and availability of ICTs at home? Here, you
are going to gather the data and investigate the extent of relationship between the
academic performance and availability of ICT at home. Perhaps, you can assume that
students with more ICTs available at home have better academic performance. But,
without manipulating the data, the researcher has to test using a statistical tool if your
assumption is right.
 Causal-Comparative
Causal comparative is a type of research that is intended to determine the cause
for or the consequences of differences between groups of people. Suppose you want to
determine whether students from single-parent families do more poorly in his/her
course than students from two-parent families. Here, you might compare two groups
of students who already belong to one or the other type of family to see if they differ in
their achievement. Suppose the groups do differ, you can only conclude that the
difference does exist. However, you cannot conclude that the difference in the family
situation produced the difference in achievement. It’s because there are other factors
that may have caused/contributed the difference.

Survey Research
Survey research obtains data to determine specific characteristics of a group.
For an instance, you want to find out how the students feel about the Modular
Learning Modality and what they like about this approach. You may get the data
through a variety of survey techniques that measure their views about the modular
approach. A descriptive survey involves asking the same set of questions of a large
number of individuals using a questionnaire. You can also gather the data through
interview. Data will be tabulated and reported.
VARIABLES
A variable is a concept, a noun that stands for variation within a class of objects,
such as chairs, gender, eye color, achievement, motivation, or running speed. Even style
and lust for life are variables.

Quantitative versus Categorical Variables

Quantitative variables exist in some degree along the range from less to more,
and you can assign numbers to different individual or subjects to indicate how much of
the variable they possess. Few examples are height (e.g. 5’2”, 6’1”) and weight (e.g.
46kg., 42kg.). Oftentimes, quantitative variables can be subdivided into smaller and
smaller units such as length which can be measured in miles, yards, feet, inches or in
whatever subdivision of an inch is needed.

Categorical variables do not vary in degree, amount, or quantity but16 are

qualitatively different. Few of the examples are eye color, gender, religious preference,
occupation, position on a baseball team, and most kinds of research “treatments” or
“ methods”. Even, Learning Delivery Modality (e.g. Printed modular distance learning,
online distance learning, etc.)
Independent versus Depended Variable
Independent variables are those that the researcher chooses to study in order to
assess their possible effect(s) on one or more variables. It is presumed to affect or
somehow influence at least one other variable.

Dependent variables are those variables that are presumed to be affected by

the independent variables. This means that dependent variables “depends on” what
 the independent variables do to them, or how independent variables affect them. It
can be portrayed graphically as follows:

Independent Dependent
variable(s) Variable(s)
( presumed or possible ( presumed result)
cause)

Applied research -is a methodology used to solve a specific, practical issue

affecting an individual or group.

Basic research -is a type of research approach that is aimed at

Gaining a better understanding of a subject, Phenomenon
or basic law of nature.

Dependent variable - the variable that depends on other factors that are
measured. These variables are expected to change as a
result of an experimental manipulation of the independent
variable or variables. It is the presumed effect.

Independent variable - the variable that is stable and unaffected by the other
variables you are trying to measure. It refers to the
condition of an experiment that is systematically
manipulated by the investigator. It is the presumed cause.

Variable -in research simply refers to a person, place, thing, or phenomenon that you
are trying to measure in some way.