Quantitative research is an objective, systematic, empirical investigation of observable phenomena

through the use of computational techniques. It highlights numerical analysis of data hoping that the
numbers yield unbiased results that can be generalized to some larger population and explain a particular
observation. Simply, quantitative research is concerned with numbers and its relationship with events
(Castro, 2018).
CHARACTERISTICS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH:
1. Objective. Quantitative Research seeks accurate measurement and analysis of target concepts. It
is not based on mere intuitions and guesses. Data are gathered before proposing a conclusion or
solution to a problem.
2. Clearly Defined Research Questions. In quantitative research, the researcher knows in advance
what they are looking for. The research questions are well-defined for which objective answers
are sought. All aspect of the study is carefully designed before data are gathered.
3. Structures Research Instruments. Data are normally gathered using structured research tools
such as questionnaires, to collect measurable characteristics of the population like age, socio-
economic status, number of children, among others.
4. Numerical Data. Data are in the form of numbers and statistics, often organized and presented
using tables, charts, graphs, and figures that consolidate large numbers of data to show trends,
relationships, or differences among variables.
5. Large Sample Size. To arrive at a more reliable data analysis, a normal population distribution
curve is preferred. This requires a large sample size, depending on how the characteristics of the
population vary. Ransom sampling is recommended in determining the sample size to avoid
researcher’s bias in interpreting the results.
6. Replication. Reliable research studies can be repeated to verify or confirm the correctness of the
results in another setting. This strengthens the validity of the findings thus eliminating the
possibility of spurious conclusions.
7. Future Outcomes. By using complex mathematical calculations and with the aid of computers,
if –then scenarios may be formulated thus predicting future results.
STRENGTHS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
1. Testing and validating already constructed theories about how and why phenomena occur
2. Testing hypotheses that are constructed the data are collected
3. Can generalize research findings when it has been replicated on many different populations and
subpopulations
4. Useful for obtaining data that allow quantitative predictions to be made
5. The researcher may construct a situation that eliminates the confounding influence of many
variables, allowing one to more credibly establish cause and effect relationships
6. Data collection using some quantitative methods is relatively quick
7. Provides precise, quantitative, numerical data
8. Data analysis is relatively less time consuming (using statistical software)
9. The research results are relatively independent of the researcher
10. It may have higher credibility with many people in power (e.g., administrators, politicians, people
who fund programs)
11. It is useful for studying large number of people.
WEAKNESSESS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
 1. Quantitative research requires a large number of respondents. It is assumed that the larger the
sample is, the more statistically accurate the findings are.
2. It is costly. Since there are more respondents compared to qualitative research, the expenses will
be greater in reaching out these people and in reproducing the questionnaires.
3. The information contextual factors to help interpret the results or to explain variations are usually
ignored. It does not consider the distinct capacity of the respondents to share and elaborate
further information unlike the qualitative research.
4. Many information’s are difficult to gather using structured research instruments, specifically on
sensitive issues like pre-marital sex, domestic violence, among others.
5. If not done seriously and correctly, data from questionnaires may be incomplete and inaccurate.
Researchers must be on the look-out on respondents who’s just guessing in.
KINDS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
1. Descriptive Research. This design is concerned with describing the nature, characteristics and
components of the population or a phenomenon. There is no manipulation of variables or search
for cause and effect related to the phenomenon. This design attempts to find general attributes of
the presently existing situation and determine the frequency with which it occurs. Descriptive
research is used if, for example, you want to know how many hours senior high school students
spend it social media, the number of malnourished students who failed in the achievement test,
and how healthy is the food served during recess in the school.

Examples:
a. A description of how parents feel about the twelve-month school year
b. A description of the attitudes of scientists regarding global warming
c. A description of how senior high school students spend their time during the pandemic
2. Correlational Research. It is the systematic investigation of the nature of relationships, or
associations between and among variables without necessarily investigating into causal reasons
underlying them. It is also concerned with the extent of relationships that exists between or
among variables. For example, if the academic performance of a student can be predicted using
their nutritional status. Correlational research is employed if you like to know, for example, if the
factors are related to each other: sex and mathematical ability, marriage and cancer recovery,
occupation and life span.

Examples:
a. The covariance of smoking and lung disease
b. The relationship between intelligence and self-esteem
c. The relationship between an aptitude test and success in an algebra course
d. The relationship of the increase of COVID19 infections and economic condition
3. Causal – Comparative Research. IT is also known as ex post facto after the fact) research.
This kind of research derives conclusion from observations and manifestations that already
occurred in the past and now compared to some dependent variables. IT discusses why and how
a phenomenon occurs. For example, a researcher is interested in how weight influences stress-
coping level of adults. Here, the subjects would be separated into different groups (underweight,
normal weight and overweight) and their stress - coping levels measured. This is an e post facto
design because pre – existing characteristics (weight) was used to form the groups.

Examples:
 a. The effect of vaping on lung capacity
b. The effect of taking multivitamins on a students’ school absenteeism
c. The effect of part-time employment on the achievement of high school students
4. Experimental Research. This research design utilizes scientific method to test cause-and-effect
relationships under conditions controlled by the researcher. In this case and effort is made to
determine and impose control over all other variables except one. An independent variable is
manipulated to determine the effects on the dependent variables. For instance, a teacher would
like to know if a new teaching strategy is effective or not, he/she teaches one section using the
new strategy and teaches another comparable section without new the new strategy, then an
achievement test was given to the two sections. The manipulated independent variable is the new
teaching strategy which is being tested if it has an effect on the dependent variable which is the
achievement of the students. Notice that the sections are comparable with one other meaning all
other variables are controlled by the teacher.

Examples:
a. The effect of positive reinforcement on attitude toward school
b. The effect of Remdesivir medication to the COVID19 patients
c. The effect of teaching with a cooperative group strategy or a traditional lecture approach
on students’ achievement
d. The effect of a systematic preparation and support system approach in employees the
effect of age on lung capacity
THE IMPORTANCE OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH ACROSS FIELDS
Quantitative research thus is worth pursuing as it is seen to be:
1. More reliable and objective
2. Can use statistics to generalize a finding
3. Looks at relationships between variables and can establish cause and effect in highly controlled
circumstances
4. Tests theories or hypothesis
5. Assumes sample is representative of the population
6. Subjectivity of researcher in methodology is recognized less
 7. Less detailed than qualitative data and may miss a desired response from the participant

A variable is a target measurement or outcome of your problem statement/research questions. A constant,

on the other hand, carries the exact – same value for all subjects in a study.
QUALITATIVE vs. QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH VARIABLES
1. Qualitative or Categorical Variables. These variables are non-numeric and whose observations
vary in kind but not in degree. Examples of qualitative variables are sex (male or female),
religion, marital status, race, color, and alike.
2. Quantitative or Continuous Variables. These variables have numeric values and whose
observations vary in magnitude. Examples of quantitative variables are age, number of
children/siblings, income, weight, height. Quantitative variables can be either:

3. Discrete Variables – these quantitative variables are countable in a finite amount of time. Thus,
we can simply identify the magnitude and quantity. Examples of such can be the amount of
money on your pocket right now, your number of siblings, the number of students present in the
class, the number of classrooms in our school and alike.
4. Continuous Variables – are quantitative variables hose observations can assume any one of the
countless number of values in a line interval. Examples are your height, weight, length of your
hair, time, and alike.