QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

WHAT IS 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”.

▪ quantitative research generates numerical data or

information that can be converted into numbers.
▪ Only measurable data are being gathered and analyzed in quantitative
research.
▪ Goal or Aim of the Research:
– The primary aim of a Quantitative Research is to focus more in counting and classifying
features and constructing statistical models and figures to explain what is observed.
▪ Quantitative Research is highly recommended for the late phase of research
because it provides the researcher a clearer picture of what to expect in his
research compared to Qualitative Research.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

Its main characteristics are:

1. The data is usually gathered using structured research instruments.results are based on larger sample sizes that are
representative of the population. The research study can usually be replicated or repeated, given its high reliability.

2. Researcher has a clearly defined research question to which objective answers are sought. All aspects of the study are
carefully designed before data is collected.

3. Data are in the form of numbers and statistics, often arranged in tables, charts, figures, or other non-textual forms.

4. Project can be used to generalize concepts more widely, predict future results, or investigate causal relationships.

5. Researcher uses tools, such as questionnaires or computer software, to collect numerical data.

6. The overarching aim of a quantitative research study is to classify features, count them, and construct statistical
models in an attempt to explain what is observed.
 WHAT IS QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH?

▪ Data Gathering Instrument

– Quantitative Research makes use of tools such as questionnaires, surveys,
measurements and other equipment to collect numerical or measurable data.

▪ Type of Data
– if you are conducting a Quantitative Research, what will most likely appear in
your discussion are tables containing data in the form of numbers and
statistics.

▪ Approach
– In Quantitative Research, researchers tend to remain objectively separated from
the subject matter. This is because Quantitative Research is objective in
approach in the sense that it only seeks precise measurements and analysis of
target concepts to answer his inquiry.
 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.
 UNITS AND VARIABLES IN QUANTITATIVE DATA

▪ Units:
When we collect data in quantitative educational research, we have
to collect them from someone or something. The people or things
(e.g. schools) we collect data on or from are known as units or cases.
▪ Variables:
The data that we are collecting from these units are known as
variables. Variables are any characteristic of the unit we are
interested in and want to collect (e.g. gender, age, self-esteem).
 UNITS AND VARIABLES

▪ The label ‘variable’ refers to the fact that these data will
differ
between units.
For example, achievement will differ between pupils and
schools, gender will differ between pupils, and so on.
▪ If there are no differences at all between the units we want to study,
we probably aren’t going to be able to do any interesting research
(for example, studying whether pupils are human would not yield
interesting findings).
 ADVANTAGES OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

▪ Quantitative research design is an excellent way of finalizing results and

proving or disproving a hypothesis. The structure has not changed for
centuries, so is standard across many scientific fields and disciplines.
▪ After statistical analysis of the results, a comprehensive answer is reached,
and the results can be legitimately discussed and published.
▪ Quantitative experiments also filter out external factors, if properly
designed, and so the results gained can be seen as real and unbiased.
▪ Quantitative experiments are useful for testing the results gained by a series
of qualitative experiments, leading to a final answer, and a narrowing down
of possible directions for follow up research to take.
 DISADVANTAGES OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

▪ Quantitative experiments can be difficult and expensive and require a lot of time to perform.
▪ They must be carefully planned to ensure that there is complete randomization and correct
designation of control groups.
▪ Quantitative studies usually require extensive statistical analysis, which can be difficult, due to
most scientists not being statisticians. The field of statistical study is a whole scientific discipline
and can be difficult for non-mathematicians
▪ The requirements for the successful statistical confirmation of results are very stringent, with very
few experiments comprehensively proving a hypothesis; there is usually some ambiguity, which
requires retesting and refinement to the design. This means another investment of time and
resources must be committed to fine-tune the results.
▪ Quantitative research design also tends to generate only proved or unproven results, with there
being very little room for grey areas and uncertainty. For the social sciences, education,
anthropology and psychology, human nature is a lot more complex than just a simple yes or no
response.
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
 DEFINITION

Qualitative research is the process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting non-

numerical data, such as language. Qualitative research can be used to
understand how an individual subjectively perceives and gives meaning to their
social reality.
Qualitative data is defined as non-numerical data, such as text, video,
photographs or audio recordings. This type of data can be collected using diary
accounts or in-depth interviews, and analyzed using grounded theory or
thematic analysis.
Qualitative research is commonly used in the humanities and social sciences, in
subjects such as anthropology, sociology, education, health sciences, history, etc.
 CHARACTERISTICS

1. Natural environment (natural setting)

2. Researcher as a key instrument
3. Multiple sources of data
4.  Inductive data analysis.
5. The meaning of the participants
6. Design that develops
7. Theoretical perspective
8. Interpretive.
9. A holistic account.
 QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS

Each of the research approaches involve using one or more data collection methods.
These are some of the most common qualitative methods:

1. Observations: recording what you have seen, heard, or encountered in detailed field

notes.
2. Interviews: personally asking people questions in one-on-one conversations.
3. Focus groups: asking questions and generating discussion among a group of people.
4. Surveys distributing questionnaires with open-ended questions.
5. Secondary research: collecting existing data in the form of texts, images, audio or
video recordings, etc.
 DATA COLLECTION STRATEGY

1. Qualitative observation
Qualitative observation is an observation in which the researcher goes directly to the field to observe participant
behavior and activities at the research location. In this observation, the researcher can record and record both
structured and unstructured notes. Usually researchers are involved in a variety of roles, it can be as a complete
participant or non-participant.
2. Qualitative interview
In qualitative interviews, qualitative researchers can interview face-to-face or face to face with participants, by
telephone, or can also be involved in focus group interviews or group interviews. The questions are unstructured
and open questions for the purpose of capturing the opinions and views of participants on a particular issue.
3. Quality documents
Qualitative documents can be public documents such as newspapers, magazines or papers or in the form of
personal documents such as diaries, diaries and e-mails.
4. Audio and visual material
This data can be in the form of recordings of both sound and images and printed results such as pictures,
photographs and paintings.
 ADVANTAGES OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Qualitative research often tries to preserve the voice and perspective of participants and can be adjusted as
new research questio arise. Qualitative research is good for:
Flexibility
The data collection and analysis process can be adapted as new ideas or patterns emerge. They are not rigidly
decided beforehand.
Natural settings
Data collection occurs in real-world contexts or in naturalistic ways.
Meaningful insights
Detailed descriptions of people’s experiences, feelings and perceptions can be used in designing, testing or
improving systems or products.
Generation of new ideas
Open-ended responses mean that researchers can uncover novel problems or opportunities that they wouldn’t
have thought of otherwise.
 DISADVANTAGES OF
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

1. Unreliability
The real-world setting often makes qualitative research unreliable because of uncontrolled factors that affect
the data.
2. Subjectivity
Due to the researcher’s primary role in analyzing and interpreting data, qualitative research cannot be
replicated. The researcher decides what is important and what is irrelevant in data analysis, so interpretations
of the same data can vary greatly.
3. Limited generalizability
Small samples are often used to gather detailed data about specific contexts. Despite rigorous analysis
procedures, it is difficult to draw generalizable conclusions because the data may be biased and
unrepresentative of the wider population
4. Labor-intensive
Although software can be used to manage and record large amounts of text, data analysis often has to be
checked or performed manually.
THANK YOU