What is a Quantitative

Research?
What is a Quantitative Research?

Quantitative Research is a systematic scientific

investigation of data and their relationships.

Quantitative Research designs are structurally

scientific methods, utilizing deductive
reasoning in forms of hypotheses.
Characteristics of a Quantitative Research

EMPIRICAL
Research is based on direct experience
or observation by the researcher.
LOGICAL
Research is based on valid procedures
and principles
Characteristics of a Quantitative Research

CYCLICAL
Research is a cyclical process because it starts with a
problem and ends with problem

ANALYTICAL
Research utilizes proven analytical
procedures in gathering the data, whether
historical, descriptive, experimental and case
study.
Characteristics of a Quantitative Research

CRITICAL
Research exhibits careful and precise judgment

METHODICA
L
Research is conducted in a methodical
manner without bias using systematic
method and procedures.
Characteristics of a Quantitative Research

REPLICABILITY
The research design and procedures are
replicated or repeated to enable the
researcher to arrive at valid and conclusive
results
Strengths & Weaknesse
Of Quantitative Researc
Strengths of Quantitative Research
Testing and validating already
constructed theories about how and
why phenomena occur

Testing hypotheses that are

constructed before the data are
collected
Strengths of Quantitative Research
Can generalize research findings
when the data are based on
random samples of sufficient size

Can generalize a research finding when

it has been replicated on many different
populations and subpopulations
Strengths of Quantitative Research

The researcher may construct a

situation that eliminates the
confounding influence of many
variables, allowing one or more
credibly established cause-and-effect
relationship
Strengths of Quantitative Research
It may have higher credibility with
many influential people (e.g.
administrators, politicians, people
who fund programs).

It is useful in studying large population

of people.
Weaknesses of Quantitative Research
The researcher might miss out on
phenomena occurring because of
the focus of theory or hypothesis
testing rather than on theory or
hypothesis generation (called the
confirmation bias)
Weaknesses of Quantitative Research
The researcher’s categories that
are used might not reflect local
constituencies’ understanding.

Knowledge produced might be too

abstract and general for direct
application to specific local situations,
contexts, and individuals.
 Kinds of
Quantitative Research
 Kinds of Quantitative Research
1. Survey Research
Survey research uses interviews, questionnaires, and sampling
polls to get a sense of behavior with intense precision.

Survey research can be conducted around one group

specifically or used to compare several groups.

When conducting survey research it is important that the

people questioned are sampled at random. This allows for
more accurate findings across a greater spectrum of
respondents.
 Kinds of Quantitative Research
2. Correlational Research
Correlational research tests for the relationships between two
variables.

Performing correlational research is done to establish what

the affect of one on the other might be and how that affects
the relationship.
In correlational research the survey is conducted on a
minimum of two groups.
 Kinds of Quantitative Research
3. Causal-Comparative Research
Causal-comparative research looks to uncover a cause and
effect relationship.

Rather than look solely for a statistical relationship between

two variables it tries to identify, specifically, how the different
groups are affected by the same circumstance.
In causal-comparative research the study of two or more
groups is done without focusing on their relationship.
 Kinds of Quantitative Research
4. Experimental Research
Experimental research is guided specifically by a hypothesis.
A hypothesis is a statement to be proven or disproved. 
This type of research is the bedrock of most sciences, in
particular the natural sciences. 

Once that statement is made experiments are begun to find

out whether the statement is true or not. 
VARIABLES and
ITS KINDS?
What is a Variable?
Variables are properties or
characteristics of people or things that
vary in quality or magnitude from
person to person or object to object
(Miller & Nicholson, 1979)
Example of Variables
- Demographic characteristics
- Personality traits
- Communication styles or competencies
- Gender
- Academic Performance
- Preferences
 Kinds of Variables
Independent Variables
- Variables that are manipulated either by
researcher or by nature or circumstance
- Variables that are also called “stimulus”,
“input” or “predictor”
- Analogous to the cause in a cause-and-
effect relationship
 Kinds of Variables
Dependent Variables
- Variables that are observed or measured
and that are influenced or changed by the
independent variables.
- Variables that are also called “response”,
“output” or “criterion”
- Analogous to the “effect” in a cause-and-
effect relationship