Characteristics of Quantitative Research

1. It is reliable and objective.

2. It uses statistics to generalize a finding.
Statistical Methods:
• Pearson’s r measures the relationship between two variables;
• T-test examines the presence of a statistical differences between two means;
• Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) looks into the statistical difference among the means of two or more group and multiple regression, which tests the relationship between several
independent variables and one dependent variable.

Quantitative researchers seek explanations and predictions that can be generalized, refers to the extent to which not only represent the samples but also the population at large.

3. It reduces and restructures a complex problem to a limited number of variables.

4. It looks at the connections between variables and establishes cause and effect relationships in highly controlled circumstances.
5. It tests theories or hypothesis.
6. It tends to rely on deductive form of analysis.
• This type of analysis moves from general to specific or from theory, hypothesis to logical conclusion.
7. It assumes that the sample of representative of the population.

Standardized data can be collected from sizeable number of participants/samples using probability sampling, which is highly randomized. Because of this, quantitative is said to exhibit a
lower level of subjectivity and a higher rate of generalizability
Strengths of Quantitative Research
Standards are usually used in choosing the instruments, in sampling procedures, and in choosing the most
appropriate statistical treatment, thus making the research replicable.
The result is reliable since the study uses a big sample of the population.
It allows the researcher to measure and analyze the data to arrive at an objective answer to the problem
posed or stated.
It has a low degree of subjectivity
It can make predictions based on numerical, quantifiable data. Results can be reduced through statistical
treatments and interpreted in a few statements.
It can establish causality more conclusively.
Data analysis using statistical software is faster.
Data gathering techniques are typically less demanding compared with those in qualitative research.
Weaknesses of Quantitative Research
Results are limited and cannot provide in-depth information since they are usually based on the analysis of
numbers and are not obtained from detailed narratives.
It provides less comprehensive textual description of human experiences and perceptions.
Numerical data may be insufficient in analyzing intangible factors, such as gender roles, socio-economic
status and social norms of a given population.
It has less flexibility in terms of study design
5. Responses of participants are strictly limited to what has been asked. These responses may not be
extensive in some cases.
6. Self-reported data may not be very accurate as respondents may have the tendency to underestimate or
overestimate their skills and behavior during self-assessment tasks.
7. Having a large study sample requires researchers to spend more resources.
 KINDS OF VARIABLES
1. Numeric or Quantitative variables Despite lacking numerical value, these variables can still be used in quantitative research. they
These are variables that can be measured numerically and used primarily in quantitative research. it involve assigning values to specific categories or groups. It answers the questions “what type” or
answers the questions “how many” or “how much.” “which category.”
a. Discrete variables
It can be counted. They can only be denoted by positive whole numbers and are not described in a. Ordinal variables
ranges. These variables can take a value which can logically ordered or ranked.
Some examples: Some examples:
- Academic grades such as A, B, C
- Number of registered cars - Clothing size such as XS, S, M, L
- Number of business locations - Measures of attitude like strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree.
- Number of children in the family - Frequency is described as rare, seldom, sometimes, almost always, or always
- Population of students
- Total number of faculty members b. Dichotomous variables
b. Continuous variables These variable represent only two categories.
It is also referred to as interval variables. They are measured in ranges and can be denoted by non- Some examples:
whole numbers. It can have positive or negative values. They can also be expressed as fractions.
Some examples: - Gender (male and female)
- Time - Answer (yes or no)
- Age - Veracity (true or false)
- Temperature c. Nominal variables
- Height These variables can have more than two categories or values.
- Weight Some examples:

Ratio variables - Business types

- Eye colors
These are special type of continuous variable. This type of variable cannot have a negative value. The - Kinds of religion
value of zero represents none or nothing. - Various languages
Some examples: - Types of learners
- Age - Hair color
- Height - Blood type
- Weight - Mode of transportation
- Distance 3. Experimental variables
- Test scores It is often best to refrain from using the terms “dependent variable” and “independent variable” in
- Annual Family Income in Thousands of Pesos non-experimental kinds of quantitative research, such as descriptive, correlational and ex post facto
- Number of students per classroom studies.
- Voter turnout per presidential election
2. Categorical variables a. Dependent variables
These are the variables examined for changes. It is also considered to be the presumed effect in
experimental research. thus, it is also called as response or predicated variable.
 c.1 Confounding variables
b. Independent variables If an extraneous variable is not appropriately controlled, it may be unequally present in the
These are the variables that are considered to affect the dependent variable. As such, it is the comparison groups. As a result, the variable becomes a confounding variable. Being unaware of or
presumed cause in experimental research. these variables are usually manipulated to see whether it failing to control for confounding variables may cause the researcher to analyze the results
cause changes on the dependent variable. incorrectly. The results may show a false correlation between the dependent and independent
variables, leading to an incorrect rejection of the null hypothesis.
c. Extraneous variables
These variables are already existing during the conduct of an experiment and could influence the For example,
result of the study. By knowing the extraneous variable, you will be able to lessen their adverse effect A hypothesis that coffee drinkers have more heart disease than non-coffee drinkers may be influenced
on your study. by another factor. Coffee drinkers may smoke more cigarettes than non-coffee drinkers, so smoking is
a confounding variable in the study of the association between coffee drinking and heart disease. The
Some examples: increase in heart disease may be due to the smoking and not the coffee. More recent studies have
1. Research Title: An Experiment on the Method of Teaching and Language Achievement shown coffee drinking to have substantial benefit in heart health and in the prevention of dementia.
Among Elementary Pupils
Example:
Independent Variable: Method of teaching Research Title: The Effects of Using Microsoft Word on the Writing Performance of Students.
Dependent Variable: Language achievement
Extraneous Variables: Ventilation facilities; Physical ambiance Independent variable: The use of Microsoft Word
Dependent variable: The students’ writing performance
2. Research Title: Use of Gardening Tools and Types of Fertilizer: Their Effects on the Amount Extraneous variable: The time and venue of writing. Conditioning the test in a non-air conditioned
of Harvest room may negatively affect the students’ writing performance.

Independent Variable: Use of gardening tools, types of fertilizer If the variable is not controlled, it may become the main factor behind the poor writing performance
Dependent Variable: Amount of harvest of the students, and not the use of Microsoft. Then it ceases to be an extraneous variable, and become
Extraneous Variables: Humidity level; Types of seeds/plants a confounding variable.

Kind Goal Variables and Experimental Data Collection Technique Sample Title
Manipulation
Descriptive To observe and report on a certain Variables are measured as they occur. Questionnaire Assessing Nurses’ Attitudes Toward Death and
phenomenon Caring for Dying Patients in a Comprehensive
Experimental manipulation is not used. Observation Cancer Center
(Lange, M., Thom, B., Kline, N.E., 2008)
Correlational To determine the nature of Variables are measured as they occur. Questionnaire The Relationship Between Service Quality and
relationship between variables Customer Satisfaction in the
without looking into the cause Experimental manipulation is not used. Tests Telecommunication Industry: Evidence from
Nigeria
 Observation (Ojo, O., 2010)
Ex post facto To infer the causes of a Experimental manipulation is not used. Questionnaire Comparison of Personal, Social and Academic
phenomenon which has already Variables Related to University Drop-out Rate
occurred Groups exposed to the presumed cause are and Persistence
compared with those who are not exposed (Bernardo, A., et al., 2016)
to it.

Quasi-experimental To establish cause-and-effect Experimental manipulation may have Tests The Impact of Smoking Bans on Smoking and
relationships limited use. Consumer Behavior: Quasi-experimental
Intact (i.e., established) groups are used; Evidence from Switzerland
individual subjects are randomly assigned (Boes, S., Marti, J., Maclean, J.C., 2014)
to the treatment and control groups.
Experimental To establish cause-and-effect Experimental manipulation is used. Tests Effects of Mobile Technology Use on Walking
relationships (Permutter, S., et al., 2014)
Intact groups are not used; individual
subjects are randomly assigned to the
treatment and control groups.
The random assignment of individual
subjects provides more conclusiveness as
to the causal relationships between the
variables.

Writing the Research Title 2. In many cases, the general problem or even the specific question that the researcher intends to
Generally, the title should: answer, when rewritten in a statement form, can serve as the title.
3. The title must have ten (10) to fifteen (15) words.
1. Summarize the main idea of the whole paper; 4. Avoid an overly general title such as “Exercise and Weight.”
2. Be written using fewest possible words without compromising its clarity and idea; 5. Refrain from using abbreviations unless they are commonly known.
3. Include the major variable/s; 6. Employ either the declarative or question form in formulating your title, but take note that the
4. Show the relationship of the main variables of the study; question form is used less frequently in research.
5. Include the main task of the researcher about the major variables under study; and 7. Use the current acceptable terminology in your field of study when writing your research
6. Mention the participants (in a general manner) and the settings title.
REMINDERS
1. In formulating the title, the researcher should avoid using words that serve no useful purposes Examples of Research Titles
and show wordiness. The words “methods”, “results”, “investigation”, and “study” appear redundant 1. Frequency of Tardiness and Level of Support of Parents Among High School Students in
when used in the thesis title such as “A Study of...” and “An Investigation of...” Selected Public School
2. Testing the Efficient Market Hypothesis on the Philippine Peso-Dollar Rates (Villanueva, 5. Homework, Reading Ability, and Exercises in Accounting: Their Influences on Outcomes in
2006) Bookkeeping
3. Effects of Peer Pressure on the Habit-forming Behavior of Honor Students 6. Work Values and Job Satisfaction Level of Employees (Corpuz, 2010)
4. Evaluation of the Services of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas: Basis for Service Enhancement
(Garcia, 2008)
I. Introduction
The first chapter of the research study aims to introduce the research problem, clarify important variables, discuss its delimitations, and specify its significance to the field of
study. It has the following elements:

A. Background of the Study

B. Statement of the Problem
C. Scope and Delimitation
D. Significance of the Study

A. Background of the Study

It presents the rationale and background of your study and clearly indicate why it is worth doing. The introduction is very important in establishing the cognitive setting of the research and it
involves:

a. Beginning with a general statement of the problem area with a focus on a specific research problem, to be followed by the rational or justification for the study.
b. Discussing why there is a need to study the problem;
c. Clarifying the important terminologies for the reader to easily understand what the research is about; the degree of seriousness of the problem which has prompted the researcher to
look for solutions; and
d. Another important component is the establishment of research gap, an issue that has not been fully addressed by the previous studies. Doing this helps you show where your research
stands in the academic field.

Here are the four components in establishing the research gap of your paper:
1. The current state of the field Explain that the general field in which your current study is situated remains to be a significant area of research up to the present. Point out that it continues to interest many
researchers and practitioners.
2. The current and conventional practices in addressing the issue Discuss the current practices being used by researchers, practitioners, or authorities within the particular field of study you are
investigating. Make sure to explain the merits of these practices and their contribution to your field of study.
3. The research gap Explain that there are other aspects under the topic which may not have been addressed by current practices and conventions in your field of study. It may be also possible that these
established practices have failed to provide conclusive findings in investigating your current topic. Additionally, you may state that there are very few studies that have explored the area of your current research.
make sure that the research gap you have identified remains relevant and has not been addressed yet; otherwise, you will fail to provide a convincing justification conducting your research.
4. The contribution of the present study in addressing the research gap
Discuss how you own study will help fill in the research gap you have identified. Filling the gap may be in the form of a new methodology or approach, or the development of a new perspective or theory.

B. Statement of the Problem

Research problem
It refers to the particular issue which you will address in your study as well as the specific area of concern of the research. It may exist in various settings such as schools, houses, restaurants, clinics or any place in
the community.
They are commonly found in areas where there is/are:
1. a trend or pattern; Example: Classmates failing in a lesson in Algebra, increasing tardiness in English class or misbehavior during PEHM classes.
2. a gap between theory and practice;
3. a literature review; and
4. a daily experience of a person that requires further inquiry especially if improvements are desired

Here are some steps that you can follow in identifying your research problem:

1.Conduct preliminary research using all available resources (print and non-print) in identifying research problem. You may visit the library or use online resources such as Google Scholar, EBSCO, ProQuest,
Science Direct and JSTOR. You may also use newspaper and magazines.
2. Based on your preliminary research, prepare a concept map or list of ideas or concept map related to the research topic. From that, you can cluster or group the ideas.
3. Identify your general research problem from the clusters. You can also think of specific research problem based on the general research problem.

Problem Statement/ Statement of the Problem

It will be difficult to conduct any research unless a clear problem is initially stated. Stating the problem helps the researchers clarify various essentials elements of research such as the major variables, the general
and specific questions, and the appropriate methodology.
The opening paragraph of this part of the research paper contains the general problem of the study. It has to be restated with specific details on the participants, setting, and period of study.

The important elements in the statement of the general problem are:

1. Main tasks- they satisfy the question. “what to do” with the major variables such as to associate, to relate, to assess, to measure, to determine, etc.
2. Main or major variables
3. Participants: subject or respondents
4. The specific setting
5. Coverage date of the conduct of study
6. For development research, the intended outputs such as an intervention program, module, policies, among others.
Examples of a general problem:

1. The main problem of this research is to look into the influence of video games and the utilization of social media on the language proficiency of the freshman students of Leyte National High School for
the first semester of academic year 2014-2015. The results of this investigation will be the basis of the formulation of the guidelines in the development, organization, and the implementation of effective study
habits.
2. The study aims to assess the behavioral traits of senior high school students and to relate them to the productivity level in the reviewing lessons and passing the long examinations. This study is to be
conducted during the first semester of SY 2016-2017 in the Division of Palo, Leyte.