Quantitative Research: Its Definition,

Characteristics, Types and Purpose

Definition of Quantitative Research

By definition, quantitative research is an objective, systematic empirical investigation of observable

phenomena through the use of computational techniques. It highlights numerical analysis of data hoping that
numbers yield unbiased result that can be generalized to some larger population and explain a particular
observation. Simply, quantitative research is concerned with numbers and the relationship with events.

According to Aliaga and Gunderson (2020), quantitative research is explaining a phenomenon by

collecting numerical data that are analyzed 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 problems of measurement.
Characteristics of Quantitative Research

1. Objective
2. Clearly Defined Research Questions
3. Structured Research Instruments
4. Numerical Data
5. Large Sample Sizes
6. Replication
7. Future Outcomes
 Advantages and Disadvantages of Quantitative Research
Advantages (Strengths) Disadvantages (Weaknesses)
1. It allows the researcher to measure and 1. The context of the study or the experiment is
analyze the data arrive at an objective answer ignored in such a way that it does not consider
to the problem posed or stated. the natural setting where the study is conducted.
   
2. The result is reliable since the study uses a 2. Having a large study sample requires
big sample of the population. researchers to spend more resources.
 
 
3. Results are limited since they are usually based
3. Standards are usually used in choosing the
on the analysis of numbers and are not obtained
instruments, in sampling procedures, and in
from detailed narratives.
choosing the most appropriate statistical  
treatment, thus making the research replicable. 3. It provides less elaborate accounts of human
  perceptions.
4. Personal biases can be avoided since personal  
interaction is not part of the research process. 4. In experimental research, the level of control
  might not be normally placed in the real world
5. Processes involved are simplified since the because it is usually done in a laboratory.
steps in doing the quantitative research are  
made easy and systematic. 5. Preset or fixed alternative answers may not
necessarily reflect the true answers of the
participants.
6. Results can be reduced through statistical  
treatments and interpreted in a few statements. 6. Findings can be influenced by the researcher’s
perspective since most of the time, the
participants are unknown to him/her.
 Kinds of Quantitative Research

1.Descriptive Research
2. Correlational Research
3. Evaluation Research
4. Survey Research
5. Causal-Comparative Research
6. Experimental Research