Practical Research Literature, Study notes of Environmental science

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Definition, Characteristics, Strengths

and Weaknesses, and Types of

Quantitative Research

by: JETRO M. CALAYCAY PR2 Teacher

This discussion is anchored on the following objectives: characterize quantitative research; know the differences between quantitative research to qualitative research; familiarize with the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative researches; define the different types of quantitative research designs and its examples. compare and contrast types of experimental research designs

Characteristics of

Quantitative Research

(Babbie 2010)

 It is “either descriptive, wherein subjects are measured once, or experimental,

wherein subjects are measured before and after”.

 Data is “gathered using structured instruments. The results are based on large

sample sizes that are representative of the population and can be replicated”.

 It has “clearly defines research questions to which objective answers are

sought”.

 It aims “to classify features, count them, and construct statistical models

in an attempt to explain what is observed”.

Quantitative Research is essentially about collecting numerical data to explain a particular phenomenon. Characteristics of Quantitative Research

In

other

words,

Quantitative

methods can be

repeated to

verify findings in

another settings,

thus, reinforcing

validity of

findings.

Quantitative

research puts

emphasis on

proof, rather than

discovery.

Differences Between

Qualitative and

Quantitative Researches

Strengths and

Weaknesses of

Quantitative Research

Strengths

Quantitative research design is he most reliable and valid way of

concluding results, giving way to a new hypothesis or to disproving it.

Because of the bigger number of the sample of a population, the

results or generalizations are more reliable and valid.

Quantitative experiments filter out external factors, if properly

designed, and so the results gained can be see, as real and unbiased.

Quantitative experiments are useful for testing the results gained by a

series of qualitative experiments, leading to a final answer, and a

narrowing down of possible direction to follow.

Kinds of

Quantitative Research

Descriptive

Descriptive Research

• (^) designed to give “answers to the questions of who , what , when , where , and how which are linked with a research problem”.
• Examples: Comparing Student Performance, Scientific Classification, Human Behavior

Correlational Research

• (^) based on the strengths of the relationship between two variables that embody characteristics of or performance by that group.
• (^) Example: A researcher is studying a correlation between cancer and marriage. In this study, there are two variables: disease and marriage. Let us say marriage has a negative association with cancer. This means that married people are less likely to develop cancer.

Experimental Research

• authorizes researchers to “ control the situation which allows them to answer the question”.
• (^) Examples: Evaluation of Teaching Method, Administering Exams After The End of Semester

Survey Research

• (^) intended to acquire information from people concerning the predominance, distribution, and interrelations of variables within the identified group.
• (^) Examples: Course Evaluation Survey, Customer Satisfaction, Hardware Product Evaluation