PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2

THIS COURSE DEVELOPS CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS

THROUGH QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH.
At the end of the lesson you will be able to:

 describecharacteristics, strengths, weaknesses,

and kinds of quantitative research.
 Write YES or NO
1. Research must be hurriedly conducted.
2. There should be enough data before conducting research.
3. Research must observe a step-by-step process.
4. The researcher must have the final say in his or her findings.
5. A person’s opinion is acceptable and considered as an answer to the questions asked by the
researcher.
6. Any concern or issue confronted by the students is researchable.
7. The causes why students fail in quizzes are worth researching.
8. The student-researcher must read literature related to the problem he or she is studying.
9. The researcher must avoid listening to another researcher to have an objective view of his or her
study.
10. The steps in conducting research are patterned.
List down the words that are related to the
definition of research.
investigation intuition
system discovery
opinions instrument
interview literature
subjective guessing
phenomena dreams
experiences productivity
teleserye theories
biases factual
validate data
 Form a group and formulate your
own definition of research based on
the correct answers in the previous
activities. Present your output to the
class.
 Definition of Research

1. Research follows a step-by-step process of investigation that uses standardized approach in

answering questions or solving problems (Polit & Beck, 2004).
2. Research plays an important role in tertiary education. Though there are many problems
confronted by higher education, developments are realized through research. After all, its main
purpose is to answer a question or to solve an issue (Palispis, 2004).
3. Research is a continuous undertaking of making known the unknown (Sanchez, 2002).
4. Research is an investigation following ordered steps leading to a discovery of new information
or concepts (Sanchez, 1999).
5. Research is a very careful investigation of something that purports the contribution of additional
or new knowledge and wisdom (Bassey, as cited by Coleman & Briggs, 2002).
6. Research is a tested approach of thinking and employing validated instruments and steps in
order to obtain a more adequate solution to a problem that is otherwise impossible to address
under ordinary means (Crawford, as cited by Alcantara & Espina, 1995).
Characteristics of Research

1. The research should be systematic.

2. The research should be objective.
3. The research should be feasible.
4. The research should be empirical.
5. The research should be clear.
Plagiarism constitutes claiming
another person’s idea or
intellectual property as one’s
own.
Roles of the Researcher

 According to Nieswiadomy (2005), the researcher serves different roles in a study.

These are as follows:
1. As principal investigator
2. As member of a research team
3. As identifier of researchable problems
4. As evaluator of research findings
5. As user of research findings
6. As patient or client advocate during study
7. As subject/respondent/participant
 IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH

 Research provides a scientific basis for any practice or methodology in any field or
discipline.
 Research is undertaken for the continuous development and further productivity in
any field.
 Research helps develop tools for assessing effectiveness of any practice and
operation.
 Research provides solutions to problems concerning almost all issues encountered
in the different areas of work.
 Research impacts decision-making.
 Research develops and evaluates alternative approaches to the educational
aspects of discipline.
 GOALS FOR CONDUCTING RESEARCH

1. To produce evidence-based practice.

2. To establish credibility in the profession.
3. To observe accountability for the profession.
4. To
promote cost-effectiveness through
documentation.
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH VS QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

 Quantitative Research according to Aliaga and Gunderson (2000) is

explaining phenomena by collecting numerical data that are analysed
using mathematically based methods (in particular statistics). This type
of research utilizes numbers and statistical analysis. It is ideal in studying
phenomenon which must contend with the problems of measurement.
 Qualitative Research is defined as the “naturalistic method of inquiry of
research which deals with the issue of human complexity by exploring
it directly,” (Polit and Beck, 2008).
 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
researchers know in advance what they are looking for. The research
questions are weII-defined for which objective answers are sought. All
aspects of the study are carefully designed before data are gathered.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

3. Structured 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.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

5. Large Sample Sizes. 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. Random sampling
is recommended in determining the sample size to avoid researcher’s bias in
interpreting the results.
6. Replication. Reliable quantitative 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.It
is objective. Since it provides numerical
data, it can’t be easily misinterpreted.
2.Theuse of statistical techniques facilitates
sophisticated analyses and allows you to
comprehend a huge amount of vital
characteristics of data.
 STRENGTHS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

3. The numerical data can be analyzed in a quick and

easy way. By employing statistically valid random
models, findings can be generalized to the
population about which information is necessary.
4. Quantitative studies are replicable. Standardized
approaches allow the study to be replicated in
different areas or over time with the formulation at
comparable findings.
 WEAKNESSES 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
to 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.
 WEAKNESSES OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

4. Many information 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 are just guessing in answering the instrument.
 IMPORTANCE OF QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH IN DIFFERENT FIELDS

1. Research studies are gaining an unprecedented focus and attention. Then,

only the faculty members in the higher education have so much interest and
conduct researches but now, even the teachers in the basic education are
engrossed in researches and devote time and effort in conducting researches
to improve educational practices that may lead to more quality learning of
the students. Many teachers do action researches because there is a serious
need to identify the problems of the deteriorating quality of education. By
doing so, they can be addressed systematically and educational decisions
are assured to be sound. Innovative teaching strategies are product of
researches. Researches also validate, test and challenge existing educational
practices that may lead to reforms which are more contextualized, localized,
and responsive to the needs of the learners.
 Importance of Quantitative Research

2. In the area of Accounting, Business, and Management (ABM), researches can

help design a new product or service, figuring out what is needed and ensure
that the development of a product is highly targeted towards demand.
Businessmen can also utilize research results to guarantee sufficient distribution of
their products and decide where they need to increase their product distribution.
Conducting researches can also help a business determine whether now is the
proper time to open another branch or whether it needs to apply for a new loan.
It may also help a small business decide if a procedure or strategy should be
changed to meet the requirements of the customer base. Research is important
for any organization to remain competitive in the market. The primary function of
research in ABM is to correctly determine its customers and their preferences,
establish the enterprise in the most feasible location, deliver quality goods and
services, analyze what the competitors are doing and find ways on how to
continuously satisfy the growing and varied needs of the clients.
 Importance of Quantitative Research

3. In the field of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

(STEM), medical practitioners, for example, conduct researches to
obtain significant information about disease trends and risk factors,
results of various health interventions, patterns of care, and health care
costs and use. The different approaches to research provide
complementary insights. Researches help in determining the
effectiveness and even side effect of drugs and therapies in different
populations and various it is also necessary in evaluating experiences in
clinical practice in order to develop mechanisms for best practices
and to ensure high-quality patient care. Researches in this field
ultimately aim for man's longevity.
 IMPORTANCE OF QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH IN DIFFERENT FIELDS

4. As for the engineers, architects, and other builders, research

helps in providing designs which are creatively beautiful and
at the same time give more convenience and efficiency as
they utilize modern technology to adapt to the ever-
changing society. New materials and procedures may be
developed so as to further strengthen the structural
materials that can withstand various calamities and
disasters.
 IMPORTANCE OF QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH IN DIFFERENT FIELDS
5. In the discipline of Humanities and Social Sciences, research
aims to provide solutions to the social problems directly felt by
people. Researches in this field deal more on societal
behaviors and social issues such as stress, worker ethics,
organizational commitment, leadership style, child labor,
teenage pregnancy, human trafficking, to drug addiction and
other forms of criminality. Social Science researches lead to
the understanding of social interactions that may lead to the
formulation of new theories and practices that contribute to
societal development and welfare.
 IMPORTANCE OF QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH IN DIFFERENT FIELDS
As a whole research can help us understand and assess the
things and occurrences around us. It provides us with rationale
and justifications for our decisions and actions. It gives us the
opportunity to discover various means of identifying problems, to
find new ways of dealing with life’s challenges, and to come up
with innovative materials and mechanisms that can improve the
quality of our lives.
 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 in
social media, the number of malnourished students who failed
in the achievement test, and how healthy is the food served
during recess in the public schools.
 KINDS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

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 at relationships that exists between or among
the variables. For example, if pre-board examination results can be used to
predict performance in the Licensure Examination tor Teachers (LET), then
the higher the pre-board grade, the higher most likely be the score in the
LET. Correlational research is employed if you like to know, for example, if
the following factors are related to each other: sex and mathematical
ability, marriage and cancer recovery, occupation and life span.
 KINDS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

3. Evaluation Research. This kind of research aims to

assess the effects, impacts or outcomes of practices,
policies or programs. Assessing the implementation of
nursing care in a hospital and determining the
impact of a new treatment procedure for patients
are examples of evaluation research.
 KINDS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

4. Survey Research. A survey research is used to gather information from groups

of people by selecting and studying samples chosen from a population. It
may be done in various ways like face-to-face, phone, mail, and online. A
survey research may be cross-sectional if the information is collected from a
sample in just single point in time just like the child-rearing practices of single
parents, and population control practices of unmarried couples. A survey
research is considered longitudinal if the researcher collects information on
the same subjects over a period of time, sometimes lasting many years in
order to study the changes through the years. Longitudinal survey is utilized, for
example, to determine the growth of rice yield in the country and the rate of
promotion of doctorate degree holders five years after earning the degree.
 KINDS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

5. 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. overweight) and their stress-coping
levels measured. This is an ex post facto design because a pre-
existing characteristic (weight) was used to form the groups.
 KINDS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

6. Experimental Research. This research utilizes scientific method to test cause

and-effect relationships under conditions controlled by the researcher. In this
case an 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 so he/she teaches one
section using the new strategy and teaches another comparable section
without 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 another meaning all other variables are controlled by the teacher.