PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2 REVIEWER
Result is generally reliable since the study
WHAT IS QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH?
Quantitative Research
- According to Aliaga and Gunderson (2000),
“explaining phenomena by collecting
numerical data that are analyzed using
mathematically based methods (in particular
statistics).”
- Utilizes numbers and statistical analysis.
- Focuses on quantifying data
- Always in numerical or statistical approach
- We get answers in numbers
- The output is usually in graphs, tables, and
charts.
- It utilizes deductive reasoning – a
conclusion based on reasons and evidences.
Phenomenon
- Peculiar incident that can happen anywhere,
with any discipline or in any organization.
- Examples: increase in sales, change in turn-
over rates, change in drop-out rates,
decrease in the number of failing students,
etc.
Characteristics of Quantitative Research
1. Reliable and objective
2. It deals with mathematical tools (statistics).
3. It reduces a complex problem.
4. Sample represents the population.
5. It involves cause and effect relationship.
6. It tests theories or hypotheses.
7. The subjectivity of its methodology is a
secondary concern.
8. Deals with the details of the subject.
Advantages of Quantitative Research
1. Allows the researcher to measure and
analyze data to arrive at an objective answer
to the problem.
2.
uses a big sample of the population.
3. Established standards are used in choosing
the instruments, in sampling procedures, and
in choosing the most appropriate statistical
treatment, thus making the research
replicable.
4. Personal biases can be avoided since
personal interaction is not part of the
research process.
5. Processes involved are simplified since the
steps in doing quantitative research are made
easy and systematic.
6. Results can be reduced through statistical
treatments and can be interpreted in a few
statements.
Disadvantages of Quantitative Research
1. Context of the study or the experiment is
ignored in such a way that it does not
consider the natural setting where the study
is conducted.
2. Having a large study sample requires
researchers to spend more resources.
3. Results are limited since they are usually
based on the analysis of numbers and are not
obtained from detailed narratives.
4. Provides less elaborate accounts of human
perceptions.
5. In experimental research, the level of control
might not be normally applicable in the real
world because it is usually done in a
laboratory.
6. Preset or fixed alternative answers may not
necessarily reflect the true answers of the
participants.
7. Findings can be influenced by the
researcher’s perspective since most of the
time, the participants are unknown to him or
her.
Importance of Quantitative Research
- Some areas of study and the function of
quantitative research in them:
o Education – used in measuring the
level of performance of students and
teachers, and in assessing the
 effectiveness of the methods and the
different programs conducted.
o Business – improve the overall
marketing strategy, and help the
company make informed decisions
on how to best move forward with a
particular product or services.
o Medical and Allied Health Service –
yields statistics that can help improve
the rate of recovery of patients with
illnesses and sicknesses, and the
efficacy of medicines and vaccines,
among others.
o Science and Technology – can lead
to a more responsible and
accountable operation of the
different components of technology.
Types of Experimental Research
- True-experimental – Involves statistical
analysis to approve or disapprove the
hypothesis of the experiment. It uses random
assignment of participants.
- Quasi-experimental – “Quasi” means
resemblance. Similar with true-
experimental, quasi-experimental aims to
establish a cause and effect relationship. It
does not rely on random assignment of
participants, meaning participants are
grouped based on some criteria.
- Single-subject – Studies the detail of each of
a small number of participants. It only has
two to ten participants. Focuses on
understanding behavior through
experimental manipulation. Mostly used in
SPED and counseling.
- Pre-experimental – The simplest form of
research design. Mostly a single group is
observed. Types of Pre-experimental
research:
o One-shot case study – A single group
is observed at a single point in time.
o One-group pretest-posttest – A single
group is observed at a two time
points.
o Static-group comparison – A group
that has experienced some treatment
is compared with one that has not.
CLASSIFICATIONS OF VARIABLES
Variables
- “data item”
- Anything that the researcher is trying to
measure.
- Basic unit of information studied in a
research.
- Logical set of attributes, characteristics,
numbers, or quantities that can be measured
or counted.
Classifications of Variables
- Numeric Variables (Quantitative Variables)
– values that describe a measurable
numerical quantity and answer the questions
“how many” or “how much.” Values are in
numbers whose characteristics are
quantifiable.
o Continuous Numeric Variables –
would take forever to count;
uncountable set of values; never
finish counting them. Examples:
time, age, temperature, height, and
weight.
o Discrete Numeric Variables –
countable set of values. Examples:
number of registered cars, number of
children in a family, population of
students, and total number of faculty
members.
- Categorical Variables – describe a quality of
characteristic of a data unit like “what type”
or “which category.” Types of data which
are divided or placed into groups.
o Ordinal Variables – value which can
be logically ordered or ranked.
Examples: clothing size, academic
grades, and Likert scale.
o Nominal Variables – doesn’t have
any numerical meanings so it cannot
be organized in a logical sequence.
 Examples: eye colors, names, kinds
of religion, gender, and various
languages.
o Dichotomous Variables (Binary
Variables) – only has two
values/levels. Examples: answer (yes
Research Title
or no) and veracity (true of false).
o Polychotomous Variables – have
many categories or values or levels.
Examples: educational attainment,
civil status, and level of performance
(excellent, very good, good,
satisfactory, or poor).
- Experimental Variables
o Independent Variables (Manipulated
or Explanatory Variables) – can
Consideration
stand alone; manipulated in an
Problems/Gaps
experiment.
o Dependent Variables (Response or
Predicted Variables) – what the
researcher wants to change.
“Depends” on the manipulation of
the independent variable.
o Extraneous Variables (Mediating or
Intervening Variables) – also known
as “covariate variables.” You are not
observing them, but could affect the
result of the study.
- Non-experimental Variables – the
researchers measure the variable as they
naturally occur.
o Predictor Variables – change the
other variable/s in a non-
experimental study. No manipulation
happening.
o Criterion Variables – influenced by
the predictor variable.
- Variables According to the Number Being
Studied
o Univariate – one variable or single
characteristic or attribute. Example:
height.
o Bivariate – two characteristics.
Examples: temperature and
electricity bill.
o Polyvariate (Multivariate) – three or
more characteristics. Example:
cholesterol, blood pressure, weight,
and eating habits (BMI).
RESEARCH TITLE
- Summarize the main idea of the paper.
- Concise statement of the main topic.
- Include the major variables.
- Show the relationship of the main variables
of the study.
- Includes the main task of the researcher.
- Mention the participants (in a general
manner) and the setting.
in Formulating Research
- External Criteria – factors that go beyond
the researcher’s personal qualities or
attributes that affect his or her study.
o Novelty – topic must not have been
used by many researchers; the
newness of a topic and its variables
will inspire a researcher or other
researchers. Should not be common.
o Availability of Subjects – think of
study participants who are within
your reach. The people should be
easily approached and their
cooperation could easily be gained.
o Administrative Support – refers to
the aid or assistance that can be
solicited from the school or extended
by the community.
o Availability and Adequacy of
Facilities and Equipment – devices
that are used in undertaking the
research must be considered.
o Legal and Ethical Considerations –
ensure that all activities undertaken
are acceptable and are done in
accordance with what is legal and
morally right.
- Internal Criteria – personal characteristics,
capabilities, and qualities of the researcher
that affect the study.
o Experience, Training, and
Professional Qualifications –
researcher’s knowledge, expertise,
and experience in order for them to
cope with the research demands.
o Motivation, Interest, Intellectual
Curiosity, and Perceptiveness of the
Researcher – bring anticipated
satisfaction or enjoyment in the
completion of research tasks.
o Time Management – considers the
fact the studies must be pursued in a
given time frame.
o Personal Costs and Returns –
research is an expensive undertaking.
The amount of necessary funding
depends on the size of sample, the
place where the research is to be
conducted, the research design, and
the treatment of data.
o Hazards, Penalties, and Handicaps –
determined by the researcher’s
physical and intellectual capacity and
moral judgement.