TYPES OF QUANTITATIVE

RESEARCH
GROUP 2 (AMPERE)
FOUR MAIN TYPES OF QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH
Sukamolson (n.d.) has identified the four main types of the quantitative
research method as follows:

Causal-
Comparative/Q
Descriptive Correlational Experimental
uasi-
Research Research Research
Experimental
Research
 DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH
Descriptive research refers to the methodology that focuses on answering
questions about the research subject's "what" rather than its "why." Its
primary goal is to simply describe the nature of the demographics under
study.
 “Descriptive studies may be characterised as simply the attempt to
determine, describe or identify what is, while analytical research
attempts to establish why it is that way or how it came to be.”
(Ethridge, D.E., 2004)
 It is aimed at casting light on current issues or problems through a
process of data collection that enables them to describe the situation more
completely than was possible without employing this method (Fox, W. &
Bayat, M.S., 2007).
MAIN USE OF DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH
It is often used in market research,
psychology, and some other social
science research to understand human
behaviour. It is also an important
aspect of physical scientific research,
with it being one of the most effective
methods of conducting descriptive
research.
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH METHODS
1. Observational Method: A quantitative observation includes
objectively collecting data that is primarily in numerical form. The
data collected should be related to or understood in terms of a
quantity.
2. Survey Method: Survey method includes recording the answers
of respondents through surveys or questionnaires. They are the
most common tool for collecting market research data, surveys are
generally used to collect feedback from the respondents.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

Uses primary data collection methods (case

Misleading information from respondents
studies, observational methods, surveys)

Flexible and diverse while being thorough

Biases in studies
and elaborate

Allows researchers to observe the Data of a small sample does not adequately
respondent’s behavior in natural settings represent the whole population

Cost-effective and can be done quickly Limited scope

CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH
According to Rana (2021),
correlational research refers to a non-
experimental research method which
studies the relationship between two
variables with the help of statistical
analysis. Correlational research does
not study the effects of extraneous
variables on the variables under study.
CHARACTERISTICS OF CORRELATIONAL
RESEARCH
Correlational research has three main characteristics according to
Fleetwood (2021). They are:

Backward
Non- Dynamic
looking
experimental
TYPES OF CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH
According to Fleetwood (2021), mainly three types of correlational
research have been identified:
1. Positive correlation: A positive relationship between two variables is when
an increase in one variable leads to a rise in the other variable. A decrease in one
variable will see a reduction in the other variable.
2. Negative correlation: If there is an increase in one variable, the second
variable will show a decrease and vice versa.
3. Zero correlation or No correlation: There is no correlation between the two
variables. A change in one variable may not necessarily see a difference in the
other variable.
DATA COLLECTION METHODS
Naturalistic observation
Archival data
Survey method
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Helps researchers to identify the variables that
Does not have the scope to imply causation
have the strongest relationships
Help researchers determine the direction and
Only gives information about the association
strength of the relationship between different
between two variables
variables
Does not omit the likelihood of other
Can also guide future research extraneous variables affecting the main
variables under study
Easier to interpret, cost-effective, and more
Not useful when researchers want to see the
applicable in day-to-day business decision-
isolated effects of one variable on another
making

(Rana, 2021)
WHEN TO USE CORRELATIONAL
RESEARCH
According to Bhandari (2021), there are a few situations where
correlational research is an appropriate choice.
• To investigate non-causal relationships
• To explore causal relationships between variables
• To test new measurement tools
 CAUSAL-COMPARATIVE/QUASI-
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
This research design aims to identify cause-effect associations
between independent and dependent variables after an action or event
has already occurred (Charles, 1995; Franken & Wallen, 1996: Gay,
1996, Martella et al., 1999).
Quasi-experimental research is research that resembles experimental
research but is not true experimental research. Although the independent
variable is identified, participants are not randomly assigned to
conditions or orders of conditions (Cook & Campbell, 1979).
 CAUSAL-COMPARATIVE/QUASI-
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
Because the independent variable is manipulated before the
dependent variable is measured, quasi-experimental research
eliminates the directionality problem. When conducting
studies, the researcher must first take into account the types of
variables to be used in the study, they make use of independent
variables that are nominal, or categorical in nature, it also
typically makes use of continuous dependent variable.
Three important aspects of Causal Comparative
method are:
1. Gathering of data on factors invariably present
in cases where the given result occurs and
discarding of those elements which are not
universally present
2. Gathering the data on factors invariably
present in cases where the given effect does
not occur
3. Comparing the two sets of data, or in effect,
subtracting one from the other to get at the
causes responsible for the occurrence or
otherwise of the effect.
MAIN USE OF CAUSAL-COMPARATIVE
RESEARCH
This research design is mainly used when independent variables
cannot or should not be examined using controlled experiment, such as
in education and social sciences (Hussain, Dr. 2019). When an
experiment would take a considerable length of time and be quite costly
to conduct, a causal-comparative study is sometimes used as an
alternative. The most common statistical techniques used are analysis of
variance and t-tests wherein significant differences in the means of
some measure (i.e. achievement) are compared between or among two
or more groups.
 EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
Quantitative experimental research involves the manipulation of the
independent variable and the measurement of the dependent variable.
experimental research should be used when looking to examine cause
and effect relations.
Experimental research has as its aim the generation of theory, and it
is done through collecting data under a set of conditions that are
controlled, and manipulated by the researcher (Kamil, 2004).
“An experimental design isolates the identified phenomena in a
laboratory and controls conditions under which the experiment occurs.”
(Rutberg & Bouikidis, 2018)
CHARACTERISTICS OF EXPERIMENTAL
RESEARCH
Harland (n.d.) states that experimental research
includes:
 a hypothesis,
a variable being controlled by the researcher,
and
variables that be measured, and analyzed.
TYPES OF EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH

Pre-
True Quasi-
experimental
Experimental experimental
Research
Research Research
TYPES OF EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
True Experimental Research
According to DeCarlo (n.d.), true experimental designs are
composed of the following: a pretest, posttest, control group, and
experimental group. These measurements are made in order for the
researcher to be able to make comparisons before and after the
experimentation.
TYPES OF TRUE EXPERIMENTAL
RESEARCH
DeCarlo (n.d.) categorized true experimental research into three types:
A. Pretest-Posttest Controlled Group (Classic Experimental Design)
-The pretest is given to both experimental and control group
-Treatment is given only to the experimental group
-Control group does not receive the treatment
-Posttest is given to both groups
TYPES OF TRUE EXPERIMENTAL
RESEARCH
B. Posttest Only Controlled Group
-Experimental group receives the treatment
-Control group does not receive the treatment
-Posttest is given to both groups
TYPES OF TRUE EXPERIMENTAL
RESEARCH
C. Solomon Four-Group
-There are two experimental and control groups (a total of four)
-Pretest is given to two groups
-Two groups receive the treatment
-The other two groups do not receive treatment
-Posttest is given to all groups
This table is a representation of the Solomon Four-Group research
design
EXPERIMENTA CONTROL EXPERIMENTA CONTROL
L GROUP 1 GROUP 1 L GROUP 2 GROUP 2

Pre-test Pre-test No Pre-test No Pre-test

Treatment No Treatment Treatment No Treatment

Posttest Posttest Posttest Posttest

TYPES OF EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
Quasi-Experimental Research
- This type of experimental research has been discussed prior.

Pre-experimental Research
- Named “pre-experimental” because they often take place before a
true experiment is conducted.
- In this type of research, the researcher has little to no control
over the research which makes this design considerably weak.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
Experimental Research has some advantages and disadvantages as listed by the
Colorado State University (2021):
ADVANTAGES
gain insight into methods of instruction
intuitive practice shaped by research
teachers have bias but can be reflective
researcher can have control over variables
humans perform experiments anyway
can be combined with other research methods for
rigor
use to determine what is best for population
provides for greater transferability than anecdotal
research
DISADVANTAGES
subject to human error
personal bias of researcher may intrude
sample may not be representative
can produce artificial results
results may only apply to one situation and may be
difficult to replicate
groups may not be comparable
human response can be difficult to measure
political pressure may skew results