Key Elements of a Research Proposal

Quantitative Design

What are the main types of quantitative approaches to research?

It is easier to understand the different types of quantitative research designs if you consider how the researcher designs for
control of the variables in the investigation.

If the researcher views quantitative design as a continuum, one end of the range represents a design where the variables are
not controlled at all and only observed. Connections amongst variable are only described. At the other end of the spectrum,
however, are designs which include a very close control of variables, and relationships amongst those variables are clearly
established. In the middle, with experiment design moving from one type to the other, is a range which blends those two
extremes together.

There are four main types of Quantitative research: Descriptive, Correlational, Causal-Comparative/Quasi-Experimental,

and Experimental Research. Systematic collection of information requires careful naturally formed research. The
selection of the units studied and careful measurement of data, or pre-existing groups.
Types of Quantitative Design relationships, and
Identified control groups
distributions of variables
exposed to the treatment
Experimental research, often
called true experimentation,
uses the scientific method to
establish the cause-effect
Correlational research Causal-
Descriptive research comparative/quasiattempts to determine the experimental relationship among a group of
seeks to describe the research extent of a relationship attempts to establish variables that make up a
current status of an causebetween two or more effect relationships among the study. The true experiment is
identified variable. These variables using statistical variables. These types of data. In often thought of as a
research projects are this type of design, design are very similar to true laboratory study, but this is not
designed to provide relationships between and experiments, but with some always the case; a laboratory
systematic information among a number of facts key differences. An are sought setting has nothing to do with
about a phenomenon. The and interpreted. independent variable is This type of it. A true experiment is any
researcher does not research will identified but not manipulated recognize trends study where an effort is made
usually begin with an and by the experimenter, and to identify and impose control
hypothesis, but is likely to patterns in data, but it does effects of the independent over all other variables except
develop one after not go so far in its analysis variable on the dependent one. An independent variable
collecting data. The to prove causes for these variable are measured. The is manipulated to determine
analysis and synthesis of observed patterns. Cause researcher does not the effects on the dependent
the data provide the test of randomly and effect is not the basis assign groups and variables. Subjects are
the hypothesis. must use of this type of observational ones that are randomly assigned to
h variable. are studied only. Variables
are not manipulated; they
amples of Descriptive are only identified and are
search: studied as they occur in a
natural setting.
• A description of
how second-grade *Sometimes correlational
students spend research is considered a
their time during type of descriptive
summer vacation research, and not as its
own type of research, as no
• A description of the
variables are manipulated
tobacco use habits
in the study.
of teenagers
• A description of
Examples of Correlational
how parents feel
Research:
about the
twelvemonth school
year • The relationship
• A description of the between
attitudes of intelligence and
scientists regarding self-esteem
global warming • The relationship
• A description of the between diet
kinds of physical and anxiety
activities that • The relationship
typically occur in between an
nursing homes, and aptitude test and
how frequently each success in an
occurs algebra course
• A description of the • The relationship
extent to which between ACT
elementary scores and the
teachers use math freshman grades
• The
manipulatives
relationships
between the
types of
activities used in
math
classrooms and
student
achievement
• The covariance
of smoking and
lung disease
variable are studied and experimental treatments rather
compared to groups who are than identified in naturally
not. occurring groups
When analyses and Examples of Experimental
conclusions are made, Research:
determining causes must be
done carefully, as other • The effect of a new
variables, both known and treatment plan on
unknown, could still affect breast cancer
the outcome. A • The effect of positive
causalcomparative designed reinforcement on
study, described in a New attitude toward school
York Times article, "The
• The effect of teaching
Case for
with a cooperative
$320,00 Kindergarten
group strategy or a
Teachers," illustrates how
traditional lecture
causation must be thoroughly
approach on students’
assessed before firm
achievement
relationships amongst
• The effect of a
variables can be made.
systematic preparation
and support system on
Examples of Correlational children who were
Research: scheduled for surgery
on the amount of
• The effect of psychological upset
preschool attendance and cooperation
on social maturity at • A comparison of
the end of the first the effect of
grade personalized
• The effect of taking instruction vs.
multivitamins on a traditional instruction
students’ school on computational skill
absenteeism
• The effect of gender
on algebra
achievement
• The effect of part-time
employment on the
achievement of high
school students
• The effect of magnet
school participation on
student attitude
• The effect of age on
lung capacity
t is the basic methodology for a quantitative research design?

overall structure for a quantitative design is based in the scientific method. It uses deductive reasoning, where the
archer forms an hypothesis, collects data in an investigation of the problem, and then uses the data from the investigation,
analysis is made and conclusions are shared, to prove the hypotheses not false or false. The basic procedure of a

titative design is:

1. Make your observations about something that is unknown, unexplained, or new. Investigate current theory surrounding
your problem or issue.

2. Hypothesize an explanation for those observations.

3. Make a prediction of outcomes based on your hypotheses. Formulate a plan to test your prediction.

4. Collect and process your data. If your prediction was correct, go to step 5. If not, the hypothesis has been proven false.
Return to step 2 to form a new hypothesis based on your new knowledge.

5. Verify your findings. Make your final conclusions. Present your findings in an appropriate form for your audience.