Quantitative Research Method

Olasile Babatunde Adedoyin

Near East University

1.0 Introduction
Information gathering, facts documentation, and unsystematic search for information at times
can be erroneously tagged as research while research is a well-structured inquiry about
phenomenon, for the purpose of ascertaining facts and innovation of logical conclusions.

Though there are several sources of knowledge, but social science researchers are dependent on
organized procedure to ascertain social facts and these organized structures are otherwise known
as research methods (Blackstone, 2018).

The debate on methods-choice has been a common reemerging issue not only limited to the field
of social science but all spheres of academic disciplines and this reemergence is not unexpected
as a result of the importance attached to the choice of methods.

2.0 Quantitative Research

Quantitative research is regarded as the organized inquiry about phenomenon through collection
of numerical data and execution of statistical, mathematical or computational techniques. The
source of quantitative research is positivism paradigm that advocates for approaches embedded
in statistical breakdown that involves other strategies like inferential statistics, testing of
hypothesis, mathematical exposition, experimental and quasi-experimental design
randomization, blinding, structured protocols, and questionnaires with restricted variety of
prearranged answers (Lee, as cited in Slevitch, 2011).

3.0 Quantitative Research Approaches

Quantitative research objectives are measurable and cannot be separated from variables and
hypothesis; variables are concepts that have variations that can take numerous values while
hypothesis are untested assumptions or propositions of relationship between variables.
According to Håkansson (2013), survey, ex-post facto, case study and experimental research, are
the most frequently used research strategies under quantitative research.
3.1 Survey Research

According to Neuman (2014), the history of survey can be traced back to the ancient time census

which involves government collection of data from the entire population in a certain

geographical entity. The descriptive nature of survey research approach is dependent on the data

collection procedure that involves gathering of data from a representative sample of the total

respondents in order to generalize the results on the whole population under investigation.

Survey is a data collection instruments for quantitative research and there are two all-

encompassing categories of survey, these are questionnaire and interview. The prompt adoption

of technology has continued to keep transforming survey research dramatically in the past years.

There are automated telephone surveys that employed random dialing methods, computerized

kiosks in public places that gives people the chance to ask for input, completion of online survey

when we visit websites.

3.1.1 Features of Survey Research

The construction of survey research instruments is rigorous due to the procedures of designing a

sound, valid and reliable instruments. The validity and reliability of survey research instruments

are subjected to confirmation through statistical calculation like Cronbach Alpha to actually

ascertain that those instruments measured what they designed to measure. The sampling

strategies or techniques to be adopted by researchers under survey research are influenced by

several factors like culture, economic, political and as well as ethical and legal framework of the

research. Responses are effectively capture under survey since they are numerically coded and

this in turn gives room for meaningful summary of data, effective display, analysis,

interpretations and reporting of research findings.

3.1.2 Pros of Survey Research

Cost-effectiveness: Survey is suitable for gathering lots of data from large number of people
because it can be applied in several forms such as mailing of questionnaires to respondents
compared to the cost of arranging respondents for face-to-face interviews and other approaches.

Generalizability: Samples are drawn from the entire population as respondents, data gotten from
the respondents are collated, analyzed and interpreted for generalization on the entire population.

Reliability: The reliability of survey research can be attributed to the well-structured survey
design and questions. It also essential to note that not all surveys are reliable because a survey
that is not well structure and or ill-phrased questions can also be misinterpreted by respondents.
However, survey results are generally reliable because the instruments are subjected to statistical
reliability and consistency procedural tests.

Versatility: One of the biggest strengths of survey is its versatility, survey can be applied in any
discipline in as much as the handlers are well equipped and highly skilled for the construction,
design and administering of survey.

3.1.3 Cons of Survey Research

Inflexibility: Despite the fact that the flexibility of survey research has been debated because the
researcher can ask many questions on several topics on the issue under investigation. However,
the inflexibility of survey research can be ascertained through the instrument of data collection
called questionnaire that survey is famously trapped with. For example, let’s assume that the
research sends the questionnaire by mail to the participants and they couldn’t understand the
terminology of a question or the question looks confusing to them, it becomes impossible or too
late for the researcher to make amendments on those that are yet to return their survey.

Lack of depth: Another disadvantage of survey research is that this particular research approach
doesn’t evaluate or measure the depth of issues.

Validity: Survey research is prone to validity issues because survey questions are consistent and
standardized and this may make it hard to ask any questions except those that large number of
respondents will understand. As a result, the results of survey might not be valid compared to
results gotten from other data collection approaches that will provide avenues for the researcher
to extensively ask questions.

3.2 Ex Post Facto

Kerlinger and Rint (1986) stated that when considering ex post facto with respect to social
science inquiry, it strives to unveil likely relationships by studying existing social issue or affairs
and tracking back in retrospect for potential causal effects.

According to Simon and Goes (2013), ex post facto is perfect for investigating social
phenomenon when it is impossible or acceptable to influence the attributes of human
respondents. When true experimental or quasi-experimental approach are not acceptable due to
ethical issues, ex post facto served as substitute and can be applied to run hypotheses test on
cause-and-effect or the degree t of relationship between variables (i.e. correlation). These
researchers added the literary meaning of ex post facto as “from what is done afterwards”.

It is important to state that ex post facto research is another name for causal-comparative
research. Ex post facto research has flexible nature and independent variables cannot be
subjected to manipulations because it has happened in the past.

3.2.1 Pros Ex Post Facto

According to Simon et al (2013), the following are the advantages of ex post facto:

1. Obtaining of permission to investigate under ex post facto is less involved because data
has been collected already.

2. There is lesser amount of time because little time is needed to conduct the inquiry since
new data won't be necessarily created. Less

3. It reveals cause and effects link.

4. It’s an exploratory instrument.

3.2.2 Cons Ex Post Facto

1. There exist a limitation in the generalization of ex post facto research results due to non-
randomization of research sample.
2. There is absence of independent variables control.

3. The flexible nature of ex post facto also serves as a limitation.

4. Relationship between two factors doesn’t ascertain cause and effect.

3.3 Case Study

Case study can be referred to a research approach that is usually used by social scientists when
in-depth inquiry about phenomenon is required in order to discover the causes of underlying
principles.

Cavaye (1996) referred to case study as case research and as well argued that there is absence of
generally acceptable definition of case research, but it is acceptable to give detailed description
of case study via the provision of the attributes, advantages and limitations.

Crowe et al (2011) gave the following as the process of case study research, “defining the case;
selecting the case(s); collecting and analyzing the data; interpreting data; and reporting the
findings”.

3.3.1 Pros of Case Study

Gaille (2018) gave the following as the strengths and weaknesses of case study;

1. It provides confirmable data from direct observations of the specific unit under
investigation.

2. It can be conducted from a distance meaning that the researcher does not necessarily have
to be available in a specific place to conduct case study.

3. Case study is economical when compared to other approaches or strategies because there
is insignificant financial implication for reviewing data.

3.3.2 Cons of Case Study

1. Unconscious Biasness: Case study is structured to reduce the influence of unconscious

bias that is believed that everyone will possess through the collection of fact-studded data.
However, defining what is fact and what is not is the sole responsibility the researcher gathering
data and in essence, the real-time data collection might have personal influence of the researcher
by gathering what the researcher want to see.

2. Time Consuming: Data collection process via case study takes larger amount of time
when compared with other approaches, because there are massive data collected and the
researcher need much time to sort those data.

3. Sample Size: Case study requires little sample size to provide adequate number of data
for analysis, because inefficiency might set in if the unit or entity under investigation possessed
different demographics or needs that need to be investigated.

3.4 Experimental Research

According to Ross and Morrison (2004), the evolution of experimental research can be traced to
psychology and education, the emergence of psychology as a novel science in the 1900s
structured its research methods on the conventional paradigms that are dependent on experiments
to provide principals and laws.

Experimental research can be regarded as any investigation performed through a scientific

method in which some variables are held constant in order to measure other variables that are
under inquiry.

Ross et al (2004) added that the following are the major types of experimental research;

1. True Experiments.

2. Repeated Measures

3. Quasi-experimental

4. Time Series Design

5. Deceptive Appearances

3.4.1 Pros of Experimental Research

1. High level of Control: Experimental research give room for investigator to possess high
level of control on variable to gather preferred findings.
2. Specific Results: As a result of high degree of control of variables the researcher,
experimental research provides results that are very specific and consistent.

3. Complementary Nature: Experimental research can be paired with other research

approaches due its complementary nature.

3.4.2 Cons of Experimental Research

1. Unrealistic Results: Since some variables are subjected to high degree of controls, the
data produced might be erroneous and as well look genuine, this is capable of having two effects
for the inquirer. Firstly, variables may be influenced in a manner that it will twists the data to a
satisfactory and preferred result.

2. Time Consuming: Each variable under experimental research are separated for testing
before considering combination of variables and these processes takes longer period of time to
achieve.

3. Ethical Problems: There exist some variables that cannot be manipulated and a typical
example is vaccine made for the control of a particular virus affecting humans and this vaccine
are to be test-run on animals. What is to become of those animals if the vaccine performed
negatively on those animals? The effectiveness of experimental research undoubtable but
possessed ethical or practical problems.

4.0 Conclusion

Taking the rate at which researches are been conducted in all academic spheres and business
establishments into consideration, adoption of a particular research method or approach is
dependent on the several factors. However, Noor (2008) added that the nature of research
problems determines the choice of method to apply for the research. From all the quantitative
research methods dissected above, one can be drawn into picking a particular method as the most
superlative. It is important to note that each method have strengths, weaknesses and as well
compatibility with other strategies.
Reference

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