CHARACTERISTICS, STRENGTH,

WEAKNESSES, KINDS OF
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
OBJECTIVE/S:
DESCRIBE CHARACTERISTICS, STRENGTH AND WEAKNESSES, KINDS OF
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH (CS_RS12-IA_C-1).
Directions: Put a check (✓) beside the number if the statement describes the
characteristics of a Quantitative Research.

1. Data is in the form of words, pictures, or objects.

2. The data is usually gathered using structured research instruments.

3. It is not based upon numerical measurements and does not use numbers and
statistical methods as key research indicators and tools.

4. It tends to be associated with small-scale studies and a holistic perspective, often

studying a single occurrence or a small number of occurrences/case studies in great
depth.

5. The research study can usually be replicated or repeated, given its high reliability.
6. Data are in the form of numbers and statistics, often arranged in tables, charts,
figures, or other non-textual forms.

7. Emphasis is on discovery rather than proof.

8. The results are based on larger sample sizes that are representative of the
population.

9. It tends to be associated with emergent research design, using a wide range of

approaches

10. A researcher has a clearly defined research question to which objective

answers are sought.
Quantitative research is an objective, systematic empirical investigation of
observable phenomena through the use of computational techniques. It highlights
the numerical analysis of data hoping that the numbers yield unbiased results that
can be generalized to some larger population and explain a particular observation.
Simply, quantitative research is concerned with numbers and their relationship with
events
CHARACTERISTICS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

1. OBJECTIVE. Quantitative research seeks accurate measurement and analysis

of target concepts. It is not merely on intuition and guesses. Data are gathered
before proposing a conclusion or solution to a problem.

2. CLEARLY DEFINED RESEARCH QUESTIONS. The researchers know in

advance what they are looking for. The research questions are well-defined for
which objective answers are sought. All aspects of the study are carefully designed
before the data are gathered.
3. STRUCTURED RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS. Standardized instruments
guide data collection, thus, ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and validity of data.
Data are normally gathered using structured research tools such as questionnaires to
collect measurable characteristics of the population: age, socio-economic status,
number of children, among others.

4. NUMERICAL DATA. Figures, tables, or graphs showcase summarized data

collection in order to show trends, relationships, or differences among variables and
allow you to see the evidence collected.
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 the researcher’s bias in
interpreting the results.

6. REPLICATION. Quantitative methods can be repeated to verify findings in

another setting, thus strengthen and reinforcing the validity of findings 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. Quantitative research puts emphasis on proof, rather than discovery.
STRENGTHS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

1. It is objective. The most reliable and valid way of concluding results, giving
way to a new hypothesis or to disproving it. Because of bigger number of the
sample of a population, the results or generalizations are more reliable and
valid. Since it provides numerical data, it can’t be easily misinterpreted.

2. The use of statistical techniques facilitates sophisticated analyses and allows you
to comprehend a huge amount of vital characteristics of data.
3. It is real and unbiased. If the research is properly designed it filters out external
factors, and so can be seen as real and unbiased.

4. 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.

5. Quantitative studies are replicable. Standardized approaches allow the study to

be replicated in different areas or over time with the formulation of comparable
findings.
6. Quantitative experiments are useful for testing the results gained by a series of
qualitative experiments, leading to a final answer, and narrowing down possible
directions to follow.
WEAKNESSES OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

1. Quantitative research requires a large number of respondents. It assumes 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 is contextual factors to help interpret the results or to explain
variations that are usually ignored. It does not consider the distinct capacity of the
respondents to share and elaborate further information, unlike qualitative research.

4. Much information is 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 lookout for respondents who are just
guessing in answering the instrument.
Directions: Determine if the description given below is a strength or weakness of a
quantitative research. Write your answer on the blank provided.

1. The most reliable and valid way of concluding results, giving way to a new hypothesis
or to disproving it. ___________________________

2. Since, there are more respondents compared to qualitative research, the expenses will be
greater in reaching out to these people and in reproducing questionnaires.
_______________________

3. If not done seriously and correctly, data from questionnaires may be incomplete

and inaccurate. ____________________________

4. Standardized approaches allow the study to be replicated in different areas or over time
with formulation of comparable findings. _______________________________

5. Quantitative experiments are useful for testing the results gained by a series of
qualitative experiments, leading to a final answer, and narrowing down of possible
directions to follow. _______________________________

6. It is assumed that the larger the sample is, the more statistically accurate the findings are.
________________________

7. Researchers must be on the look-out on respondents who are just guessing in answering
the instrument. ______________________________
8. It does not consider the distinct capacity of the respondents to share and
elaborate further information unlike the qualitative research.
__________________________

9. It is real and unbiased. _____________________

10. It is costly. ______________________

Directions: Write your concise learning about the following.

1. What are the characteristics of quantitative research?

2. Discuss the strengths of quantitative research.

3. Discuss the weaknesses of quantitative research.

Assessment

Directions: Choose the statement that best answers the given question or that
completes the statement. Write the letter of your answer before the number.

1. Which of the following BEST defines quantitative research?

A. It is an exploration associated with libraries, books, and journals.

B. It is an activity concerned with finding new truths in education.

C. It is a systematic process of obtaining numerical information about the world.

D. It is an activity of producing or proving a theorem.

2. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of quantitative research?
A. Data are gathered before proposing a conclusion or solution to a problem.

B. Quantitative methods can be repeated to verify findings in another setting, thus strengthen and
reinforcing the validity of findings eliminating the possibility of spurious conclusions.

C. Figures, tables, or graphs showcase summarized data collection in order to show trends,
relationships, or differences among variables. In sum, the charts and tables allow you to see the
evidence collected.

D. It seeks to gather a more comprehensive understanding of activities related to human behavior

and the attributes that rule such behavior.
3. Which of the following describes the characteristics of research where data are in
form of statistics?

A. Objective B. Numerical Data C. Replication D. Large Sample Size

4. This characteristic of quantitative research refers to its necessity to arrive at more

reliable data analysis.

B. Large Sample Sizes B. Replication C. Numerical Data D. Objective

5. It is done to check the correctness and verify the findings of the study.

A. Large Sample Sizes B. Objective C. Numerical Data D. Replication

Additional Activities
RESEARCH WORK. Search (5) different titles of a quantitative research in research reports and
classify them as to the research design used. Use the format below.

No. Research Title Research Design