Introduction to Quantitative

Research
The following definition, taken from Aliaga
and Gunderson (2000), describes what we
mean by quantitative research methods
very well:

“Quantitative research is Explaining

phenomena by collecting numerical data
that are analyzed using mathematically
based methods (in particular, statistics)”.
 Quantitative Research
“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. Quantitative
research focuses on gathering numerical data and
generalizing it across groups of people or to explain
a particular phenomenon”.
Babbie, Earl R. The Practice of Social Research. 12th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage, 2010; Muijs,
Daniel. Doing Quantitative Research in Education with SPSS. 2nd edition. London: SAGE Publications, 2010.
 What is Quantitative
Research?

 In a nutshell, quantitative research generates

numerical data or information that can be
converted into numbers.
 Only measurable data are being gathered and
analyzed in quantitative research.
 Quantitative Data
“Quantitative data is information about
quantities; that is, information that can be
measured and written down with numbers.”

 Some examples of quantitative data are

your height, your shoe size, and the length
of your fingernails.
 Quantitative data defines
whereas qualitative data describes.
FOUR TYPES OF
QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH
PREPARED: KEN CLAUDIE E. LUGATIMAN
 Descriptive Research
Correlational Research
Causal Comparative /
Quasi-Experimental
Experimental Research
 DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH
This type of research describes what
exists and may help to uncover new facts
and meaning. The purpose of descriptive
research is to

observe, describe, document

aspects of a situation as it naturally

occurs.
 Seeks to describe the current
status of an identified variable or
phenomenon.

 The researcher does not usually

begin with a hypothesis, but is
likely to develop one after
collecting data.
 CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH
..tests for the relationships between two
variables. Performing research is done to:

establish what is the effect of one on

the other might be and how that affects
the relationship.

“a noticed occurrence”
..the survey is conducted on a minimum
of two groups.

• Remember, correlation does not

always mean causation:

e.g. just because two data points

sync doesn’t mean that there is a
direct cause and effect relationship
 CAUSAL-COMPARATIVE /
QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL
..looks to uncover a cause and effect
relationship.

i.e. research is not conducted

between the two groups on each
other, but look for a statistical
relationship
..the study of two or more groups is
done without focusing on their
relationship.

“Remember, causal-comparative
involves comparison.”
• An independent variable is
identified but not manipulated by
the researcher, and the effects of
the IV on the DV are measured.

• The researcher does not randomly

assign groups and must use ones
that are naturally formed or pre-
existing groups.
 EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
..is guided specifically by a
hypothesis.

Often called true experimentation,

this type of research uses the
scientific method to establish cause-
effect relationship among a group of
variables that make up a study.
“Remember, the independent
variable is manipulated to
determine the effects on the
dependent variables.