SUBJECT CODE: APPLIED 004

SUBJECT TITLE: Practical Research 2

LESSON TITLE: The Nature of Inquiry and Research
MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING COMPETENCIES (MELCs): Describes characteristics, strengths,
weaknesses, and kinds of quantitative research (CS_RS12-Ia-c-1)
CONTENT/CORE CONTENT: The Characteristics, Strengths, Weaknesses, and Kinds of Quantitative
Research

It is natural for humans to always ask questions and test theories about themselves, about other
people and every possible thing under the sun. Indeed, humans are good researchers. Research has always
been a part of man’s life. The main purpose of research is to inform an action, prove a theory and
contribute to developing knowledge in a field or study. In this lesson, you will learn about the nature of
inquiry and research. Specifically, you are expected to describe the characteristics, strengths, weaknesses
and kinds of quantitative research.

Now, I want you to look at the diagram. Recall what you have learned about qualitative research.

Methods include Primarily inductive

focus groups and in- process used to
depth interviews formulate theory or
hypothesis More subjective:
describes problem or
Less generalizable
condition from the
point of view of those
experiencing it.

Time expenditure
lighter on the
Qualitative
planning end and Research Text-based
heavier during the
analysis phase

Can be valid and More in-depth

reliable but largely information on a few
depends on skill cases
Unstructured or
and rigor of the
No statistical tests semi-structured
researcher
response options
 Now that you have already recalled what a qualitative research is, let’s move on to the lesson.

Quantitative Research
Quantitative research, according to Aliaga and Gunderson (2000), is “explaining phenomena by
collecting numerical data that are analyzed sing mathematically based methods in particular, statistics.”
This type of research utilizes numbers and statistical analysis. It is ideal in studying phenomenon which
must contend with the problems of measurement.

According to Creswell (2013),

research is a systematic and objective
creation of knowledge. It is an
investigation or experimentation aimed
at the discovery and interpretation of
facts, revision of accepted theories or
laws in the light of new facts, or practical
application of such new or revised
theories or laws.

As what you have learned from Practical Research 1, qualitative research is a type of research
wherein non-numerical data is analyzed and interpreted to come up with results. Usually, the data is
gathered through interviews and focus group.
 On the other hand, quantitative research is defined as a systematic investigation of phenomena
by gathering quantifiable data and performing statistical, mathematical, or computational techniques. An
example of quantitative research is the survey conducted to understand the amount of time a doctor
takes to tend to a patient when the patient walks into the hospital. A patient satisfaction survey template
can be administered to ask questions like how much time did a doctor take to see a patient, how often
does a patient walk into a hospital, and other such questions.

People formulate various ways and immediate or lasting solutions when faced with difficulties or
perplexed by struggles. Even at a young age, we use our senses and cognitive skills to gather information,
assess and re-assess facts, find meaning to the numbers and grow in understanding of the world around
us. Long before we read it in books and learned it from teachers, we are already applying quantitative
approach in our daily lives in the most primal way.

Characteristics of Quantitative Research

Quantitative research is commonly used in natural sciences research problems because of the
following characteristics:

Fast Data Large

Sample Size Replication
Collection

Visual Result Characteristics of Faster Data

Presentation Quantitative Analysis
Research

Reliable
Data Objective
Strengths and Weaknesses of Quantitative Research

Strengths of Quantitative Research Weaknesses of Quantitative Research

It allows the researcher to measure and The context of the study or the experiment is
analyze the data to arrive at an objective ignored in such a way that it does not consider
answer to the problem posed or stated. the natural setting where the study is
conducted.

The result is reliable since the study uses a Having a large study sample requires
big sample of the population. researchers to spend more resources.

It is replicable since standards are usually Results are limited since they are usually
used in choosing the instruments in based on the analysis of numbers and are not
sampling procedures, and in choosing the obtained from detailed narratives.
most appropriate statistical treatment.

Personal biases can be avoided since It provides less elaborate accounts of human
personal interaction is not part of the perceptions.
research process.

Processes involved are simplified since the In experimental research, the level of control
steps in doing quantitative research are might not be normally placed in the real world
made easy and systematic. because it is usually done in a laboratory.

Preset or fixed alternative answers may not

necessarily reflect the true answers of the
Results can be reduced through statistical participants.
treatments and interpreted in a few
statements.
Findings can be influenced by the researcher’s
perspective since most of the time, the
participants are unknown to him/her.
Kinds Of Quantitative Research

Survey Research

Survey research is the most fundamental tool for all quantitative research methodologies and
studies. Surveys are used to ask questions to a sample of respondents, using various types such as online
polls, online surveys, paper questionnaires, web-intercept surveys, etc. Every small and big organization
intends to understand what their customers think about their products and services, how well are new
features faring in the market and other such details. By conducting survey research, an organization can
ask multiple survey questions, collect data from a pool of customers, and analyze this collected data to
produce numerical results. It is the first step towards collecting data for any research.

This type of research can be conducted with a specific target audience group and also can be
conducted across multiple groups along with comparative analysis. A prerequisite for this type of research
is that the sample of respondents must have randomly selected members. This way, a researcher can
easily maintain the accuracy of the obtained results as a huge variety of respondents will be addressed
using random selection. Traditionally, survey research was conducted face-to-face or via phone calls but
with the progress made by online mediums such as email or social media, survey research has spread to
online mediums as well.

Correlational Research

A comparison between two entities is invariable. Correlation research is conducted to establish a

relationship between two closely-knit entities and how one impacts the other and what are the changes
that are eventually observed. This research method is carried out to give value to naturally occurring
relationships, and a minimum of two different groups are required to conduct this quantitative research
method successfully. Without assuming various aspects, a relationship between two groups or entities
must be established. Researchers use this quantitative research method to correlate two or more
variables using mathematical analysis methods. Patterns, relationships, and trends between variables are
concluded as they exist in their original set up. The impact of one of these variables on the other is
observed along with how it changes the relationship between the two variables. Researchers tend to
manipulate one of the variables to attain the desired results. Ideally, it is advised not to make conclusions
merely based on correlational research. This is because it is not mandatory that if two variables are in sync
that they are interrelated.

Causal-Comparative Research

This research method mainly depends on the factor of comparison. Also called the quasi-
experimental research, this quantitative research method is used by researchers to conclude cause-effect
equation between two or more variables, where one variable is dependent on the other independent
variable. The independent variable is established but not manipulated, and its impact on the dependent
variable is observed. These variables or groups must be formed as they exist in the natural set up. As the
dependent and independent variables will always exist in a group, it is advised that the conclusions are
carefully established by keeping all the factors in mind.

Causal-comparative research is not restricted to the statistical analysis of two variables but
extends to analyzing how various variables or groups change under the influence of the same changes.
This research is conducted irrespective of the type of relation that exists between two or more variables.
Statistical analysis is used to distinctly present the outcome of obtained using this quantitative research
method.

Experimental Research

It is also known as true experimentation; this research method is reliant on a theory. Experimental
research, as the name suggests, is usually based on one or more theories. This theory has not been proven
in the past and is merely a supposition. In experimental research, an analysis is done around proving or
disproving the statement. This research method is used in natural sciences. There can be multiple theories
in experimental research. A theory is a statement that can be verified or refuted.

After establishing the statement, efforts are made to understand whether it is valid or invalid.
This type of quantitative research method is mainly used in natural or social sciences as there are various
statements which need to be proved right or wrong.
References:

Baraceros, E. L. (2016). Practical research 2 (1st ed.). Rex Book Store, Inc.

Cristobal, A., & Cristobal, M. (2017). Practical research 2 for senior high school. C & E Publishing Inc.

DepEd Antipolo. (2020). Senior High School Learner’s Packet (LeaP). Ang KADLUAN: A Learning

Management System. https://www.angkadluan.com/course/view.php?id=20

Grand Canyon University. (n.d.). An overview of quantitative research. CIRT: Center for Innovation in

Research and Teaching. Retrieved August 3, 2021, from https://bit.ly/2LUP3ye

Muijs, D. (2011). Introduction to Quantitative Research. Doing Quantitative Research in Education with

SPSS, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781849203241.n1

Ragma, F. (2016). Research 1 & 2 qualitative and quantitative research for senior high school. Mindshapers

Co., Inc.

Prepared by: Dazzle P. Muli, LPT