Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region 1
Schools Division of Ilocos Sur
Sinait National High School
Ricudo, Sinait, Ilocos Sur

Self Learning Kit

PRACTICAL RESEARCH II
Senior High School
Weeks 1-3
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH- CHARACTERISTICS,
STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES, IMPORTANCE and VARIABLES
Competency

 Describes characteristics, strengths, weaknesses and kinds of quantitative research

(CS_RS12-Ia-c-1)
 Illustrates the importance of quantitative research across all fields (CS_RS12-Ia-c-
2)
 Differentiates kinds of variables and their uses (CS_RS12-Ia-c-3)

Short Discussion

Before we describe the characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of a quantitative

research, let us first understand what a quantitative research design is.

Quantitative research is defined as a systematic investigation of phenomena by

gathering quantifiable data and performing statistical, mathematical, or computational
techniques. It is also a research design that collects information from existing and potential
customer through surveys or questionnaires to gather the result of which can be depicted
in the form of numbers. These numbers were used in stating generalization about a given
problem. Or simply, it is a design that is concerned with numbers and its relationship with
even.

The data in quantitative

research is collected through
structured research, and the
results are based on a larger
size of samples that
represents or reflects the
population. An important fact
about this kind of research is
that it can be repeated and
replicated. The questions
about the research study are
defined, and all its aspects are
designed so that the data
collected is reliable and accurate.
 The quantitative researcher uses several tools to gather numerical data that is in the
form of statistics and numbers and is arranged in non-textual forms like figures, charts,
and tables.

CHARACTERISTICS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

1. OBJECTIVE. Quantitative research seeks accurate measurement and analysis of

target concepts. It is not based on mere intuition and guesses. Data are gathered
before proposing a conclusion or solution to a problem.

2. CLEARLY DEFINED RESEARCH QUESTIONS. The researchers know in advance

what they are looking for. The research questions are well-defined for which
objective answers are sought. All aspects of the study are carefully designed before
data are gathered.

3. STRUCTURED RESEARCH
INSTRUMENTS. Standardized
instruments guide data collection,
thus, ensuring the accuracy, reliability
and validity of data. 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. Figures, tables or graphs showcase summarized data

collection in order to show trends, relationships or differences among variables. In
sum, the charts and tables allow you to see the evidence collected.

5. LARGE SAMPLE SIZE. To arrive at a more reliable data, a normal population

distribution curve is preferred. This requires a large sample size, depending on how
the characteristics of the population vary. Random sampling is recommended in
determining the sample size to prevent researcher’s bias in interpreting the results.

6. REPLICATION. Quantitative methods can be repeated to verify findings in another

setting, thus strengthen and reinforcing validity of findings and eliminating the
possibility of spurious conclusions.

7. FUTURE OUTCOMES. By using complex mathematical calculations and with the

aid of computers, if-then scenario may be formulated thus predicting future results.
Quantitative research emphasis on proof rather than discovery.

STRENGTHS and WEAKNESSES OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

 Strengths

1. It is objective. The most reliable

and valid way of concluding
results, giving way to a new
hypothesis or to disproving it.
Because of a bigger number of
the sample of a population, the
results or generalizations are
more reliable and valid.

2. The use of statistical techniques facilitates sophisticated analyses and allows

you to comprehend a huge amount of vital characteristics of data.

3. It is real and unbiased. If the research is properly designed, it filters out external
factors, and so can be seen as real and unbiased.
 4. The numerical data can be analyzed in quick and easy way. By employing
statistically valid random models, findings can be generalized to the population
about which information is necessary.

5. Quantitative studies are replicable. Standardized approaches allow the study to

be replicated in different areas or over time with formulation of comparable
findings.

6. Quantitative experiments are useful for testing the results gained by a series of
qualitative experiments, leading to a final answer, and narrowing down of
possible directions to follow.

 Weaknesses

1. Quantitative research can be costly, difficult and time-consuming-difficult

because most researchers are non-mathematicians.

2. Quantitative studies require extensive statistical treatment, requiring stringent

standards, more so with confirmation of results. When ambiguities in some
findings surface, retesting and refinement of the design call for another
investment in time and resources to polish the results.

3. Quantitative methods also tend to turn out only proved or unproven results,
leaving little room for uncertainty, or grey areas.

KINDS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH DESIGNS

Research design refers to the overall

strategy that you choose in order to
integrate the different components of the
study in a coherent and logical way,
thereby ensuring you will effectively
address the research problem.
Furthermore, a research design constitutes
the blueprint for the selection,
measurement and analysis of data. The
research problem determines the research
design you should use.

Quantitative methods emphasize objective measurements and the statistical,

mathematical or numerical analysis of data collected through polls, questionnaires, and
surveys or by manipulating pre-existing statistical data using computational techniques.

The kind of research is dependent on your aim in conducting the study and the
extent to which the findings will be used. Quantitative research designs are generally
classified into experimental and non-experimental.

The following are the various kinds of quantitative research design that a research
may employ.

EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH DESIGN. This allows the researcher to control the

situation. In doing so, it allows the researcher to answer the question “What causes
something to occur?” This kind of research allows the researcher to identify cause and
effect relationships between variables and to distinguish placebo effects from treatment
effects. Further, this research design supports the ability to limit alternative explanations
and to infer direct casual relationships in the study; the approach provides the highest level
of evidence for single studies.

NON-EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN. In this kind of

design, the researcher observes the phenomena
as they occur naturally and no external variables
are introduced. In this research design, the variables are not deliberately manipulated nor
is the setting controlled. Researchers collect data without making changes or introducing
treatments. This design could also be called DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH DESIGN whose
main purpose is to observe, describe and document aspects of a situation as it naturally
occurs and sometimes to serve as a starting point for hypothesis generation and theory
development.
Importance of Quantitative Research
Quantitative research is a systematic approach to collect information via sampling
methods, for instance, questionnaires, online polls and online surveys. It is gathered from
both potential and existing customers and clients and depicted in terms of numerical.

Quantitative research is generally used in fields like political science, gender

studies, community health, marketing, sociology, economics, psychology, demography,
and education. It’s objective is to employ mathematical theories in relation to phenomena.
The process offers a connection between mathematical expression and empirical
observation.

Variables in Quantitative Research

The term ‘variable’ has been

mentioned several times so that it is
necessary to define it here. In
research, a variable refers to a
“characteristics that has two or more
mutually exclusive values or
properties” (Sevilla and Other, 1988).
Sex, for instance, has two properties
which are maleness and femaleness.
The ages of different persons have
different values; so with their size,
height, weight and income.
The phenomenon of variety is what makes life interesting; it is one of the motivating
factors of the research undertaking.

The root word of the word variable is “vary” or simply “can change”. These
variables are among the fundamental concepts of research, alongside with
measurement, validity, reliability, cause and effect; and theory. Bernard (1994) defines a
variable as something that can take more than one value, and values can be words or
numbers
 A variable specifically refers to characteristics, or attribute of an individual or an
organization that can be measured or observed and that varies among the people or
organization being studied (Creswell, 2002).

TYPES OF VARIABLES (ALLEN, TITSWORTH, HUNT, 2009)

1. CONTINUOUS VARIABLES – A variable that can take infinite number on the value
that can occur within the population. Its values can be divided into fractions. Examples
of this type of variable include age, height, and temperature. Continuous variables can
be further categorized as:

a. INTERVAL VARIABLES – It have values that lie

along an evenly dispersed range of numbers. It is a
measurement where the difference between two
values does have meaning. Examples of interval
data include temperature, a person’s net worth (how
much money you have when you subtract your debt
from your assets), etc. In temperature, this may
illustrate as the difference between a temperature
of 60
degrees and 50 degrees is the same as difference between 30 degrees and 20
degrees. The interval between values makes sense and can be interpreted. And the
best example of interval is test scores.

b. RATIO VARIABLES – It have values that lie along an evenly dispersed range of
numbers when there is absolute zero. It possesses the properties of interval variable
and has a clear definition of zero, indication that there is none of that variable.
Examples of which are height, weight, and distance. Most scores stemming from
response to survey items are ratio-level values because they typically cannot go below
zero. Temperature measured in degrees Celsius and degrees Fahrenheit is not a ratio
variable because 0 under these temperatures scales does not mean no temperature at
all.

2. DISCRETE VARIABLES – This is also known as categorical or classificatory

variable. This is any variable that has limited number of distinct values and which cannot
be divided into fractions like sex, blood group, and number of children in family. Discrete
variable may also categorized into:

a. NOMINAL VARIABLE – It represent categories that cannot be ordered in any

particular way. It is a variable with no quantitative value. It has two or more categories
but does not imply ordering of cases. Common examples of this variable include eye
color, business type, religion, biological sex, political affiliation, basketball fan affiliation,
etc. A sub-type of nominal scale with only two categories just like sex is known as
dichotomous.
 8

b. ORDINAL VARIABLE – It represent

categories that can be ordered from greatest to
smallest. This variable has two or more categories
which can be ranked. Examples of ordinal variable
include education level, income brackets, etc. An
illustration of this is, if you asked people if they
liked listening to music while studying and they
could answer either “NOT VERY MUCH”,
“MUCH”, “VERY MUCH” then
you have an ordinal variable. While you can rank them, we cannot place a value to
them. In this type, distances between attributes do not have any meaning. For
example, you used educational attainment as a variable on survey, you might code
elementary school graduates = 1, high graduates = 2, college undergraduate = 3,
and college graduate = 4. In this measure, higher number means greater education.
Even though we can rank these from lowest to highest, the spacing between the
values may not be the same across the levels of the variables.

Kinds of Variables According to Experimental Qualitative Research

Several experts have lumped together the following as the major kinds of
variables:

1. INDEPENDENT VARIABLES – Those that probably cause,

influence, or affect outcomes. They are invariably called treatment,
manipulated, antecedent or predictor variables. This is the cause
variable or the one responsible for the conditions that act on
something else to bring about changes.

EXAMPLE: A study is on the relationship of study habits and

academic performance of UTNHS senior high school students.
STUDY
HABITS is the independent variable because it influenced the outcome or the
performance of the students.

2. DEPENDENT VARIABLES – those that depend on the

independent variables; they are the outcomes or results of the
influence of the independent variable. That is why it is also called
outcome variable.

EXAMPLE: A study is on the relationship of study habits and

academic performance of UTNHS senior high school students.

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE is the dependent variable because it is

depending on the study habits of the students; if the students change their study habit
the academic performance also change.

3. CONTROL VARIABLES – A special types of independent variables that are

measured in the study because they potentially influence the dependent variable.
Researchers use statistical procedures (e.g. analysis of covariance) to control these
variables. They may be demographic or personal variables that need to be
“controlled” so that the true influence of the independent variable on the dependent
variable can be determined.

Assessment/ Application

Address: Ricudo, Sinait, Ilocos Sur

Telephone No: (077) 674 0004
Email Address: sinaitnhs1947@gmail.com
 9

Instructions: Perform the task indicated below.

1. Create (5) significant statements/ sentences about the learnings in this self
learning kit.

1
2
3
4
5

2. Differentiate qualitative from quantitative research methods through a Venn

Diagram.

3. Choose one characteristic, one strength and one weakness of quantitative

research design and expand the idea.

Characteristic Strength Weakness

4. In google scholar, list down two samples of quantitative research titles in each
category.
If you are in STEM, use the table below.
Science Mathematics Technology Engineering

If you are in ABM, use the table below.

Accountancy Business Management

5. Identify what is being asked in each number. Write your answer after the
statement. Choose your answer from the box below.
a. Variables that represent categories that cannot be ordered in any particular
way.
b. Variables that have values that lie along an evenly dispersed range of
numbers when there is an absolute zero, as opposed to net worth, which can
have a negative debt-to- income ratio-level variable.
c. Variables that represent categories that can be ordered from greatest to
smallest.
d. Kind of variable that probably cause, influence, or effect outcomes. They are
variably called treatment, manipulated, antecedent or predictor variables.

Address: Ricudo, Sinait, Ilocos Sur

Telephone No: (077) 674 0004
Email Address: sinaitnhs1947@gmail.com
 10

e. Variables that depend on independent variables; they are the outcomes or

results of the influence of the independent variable.

6. Determine if what type of variable are the following. Write I if the variable is
Interval, N if Nominal, R if Ratio and O if Ordinal.
a. Military Title
b. Temperature in degree Celsius
c. Birthplace
d. Year Level
e. Clothing such as hat, shirt, shoes
f. A score in 5- item quiz in Math
g. Freshman, Sophomore
h. Person’s net worth
i. Male or female
j. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Address: Ricudo, Sinait, Ilocos Sur

Telephone No: (077) 674 0004
Email Address: sinaitnhs1947@gmail.com