QUANTITATIVE

RESEARCH
Q U A N T I T A T I V E
R E S E A R C H
Quantitative Research
From its root word quantity,
which means the “amount of” or
“number of,” quantitative
research deals with numerals and
how it can describe a
phenomenon or infer a
relationship.
Expressions like numerical forms,
objective thinking, statistical
methods, and measurement signal
the existence of quantitative
research. Expressing meaning
through numerals or a set of
symbols indicates specificity,
particularity, or exactness of
something
 “Improving academic achievement of
Grade 9 learners through the use of
graphic organizers”
“The relationship between
educational attainment
and crime rates” “iAssist: An interactive Mobile
Application for Students as Learning Tool
on Newton’s Three Laws of Motion”
“Level of effectiveness of
Quipper Online School to
students during the new
normal education” “Improving problem solving and
chemistry knowledge through use
of didactic teaching techniques”
 Quantitative research is the go-to approach for
scientific inquiry because of its ability to test
hypotheses. The relationship of different factors that we
see creates a clearer picture of what is happening
around us. These factors can also be called variables,
which are the basis for formulating and testing
hypotheses.
 Variables are traits that numerically
describe or give meaning to an object, phenomenon, or
group of people. These variables vary or change from
one thing to another. Examples of variables are the
height of a chair, the weight of a person, test scores of
a student, or the speed of a car.
Characteristics of Quantitative Research
[Quantitative research deals with numbers, and the following is a
list of characteristics of quantitative research]:

● Controllability. To understand a specific relationship or phenomenon,

quantitative research should be in an environment where all variables are
identified and can be controlled.

● Generalizability. It is from larger sample sizes that the results are

based on as a representative of the population.

● Objectivity. The results of the data are observable and measurable

using structured instruments.

● Replicability. The research study should be replicable by other teams of

researchers that will eventually come up with similar outcomes.
 Strengths of Quantitative Research
[The factual quality of quantitative research and its
generalizability to a population becomes the basis of its strengths.
Queiros, Faria, and Almeida (2017), who are researchers from
Portugal, published a paper evaluating the strengths and limitations
of qualitative and quantitative research approaches. In this
subsection, we are going to list down and briefly describe each of
the strengths of quantitative research.]

1. Analysis of data is assisted with statistical methods. These are

mathematical tools in which numbers can be processed to become
more meaningful. Simple statistical measures such as determining
the mean, median, and mode of a data set can also assist
researchers in reducing the bulk of data to make it easier to
understand. Analysis using statistics also provides unbiased results.
2. that can be employed in quantitative research that are relatively
easy to administer, a research with a large number of samples is
possible. This also allows researchers to make a more
comprehensive and generalizable conclusion for the entire
population.

3. Data can be presented in graphical or tabular form. Other than

statistical analysis, researchers can analyze data using graphical or
tabular representations. Numerical data summarized in tabular or
graphical form aid researchers in making sense of them better.
Weaknesses of Quantitative Research
[The following list describes the weaknesses of quantitative
research:]

1. A large sample size requires a lot of time and effort. The goal to
generalize the results of quantitative studies requires a larger sample size
which can be an issue for many researchers. This requirement increases the
cost of research, and its time frame becomes longer.

2. Statistical analysis of data requires an expert to perform. Poor knowledge

or inadequate skills in statistics might negatively affect the outcome of a
study.

3. Quantifying and reducing observations to just pieces of numerical values

makes it too simplistic. Numerical values can only answer the questions of
what and it is often difficult to use these values in answering the whys and
the hows of the phenomena.
 Types of Quantitative
Research
1.NON-EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
2.EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
1.NON-EXPERIMENTAL
RESEARCH
Non-Experimental research is a way of finding out truths
about a subject by describing the collected data about such subject and
determining their relationships or connections with one another. Any
treatment or condition is not involved in this type of research but there
is measuring of variables here. Hence, once you do a non-
experimental research, you deal with both quantitative and qualitative
data. Your desire to discover people thoughts, views, feelings,
attitudes about a certain societal issue, object, place or event causes
you to non-experimental research.
CHARACTERISTICS OF NON-
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
1. It is incapable of establishing cause-effect relationships. By itself, it can
take place in conjunction with other experimental and quasi-experimental
research methods.

2. It involves various ways of data analysis:

• Primary- analysis of data collected by the researcher himself
• Secondary- examination of data collected by other people
• Meta-analysis- analysis of data expressed numerically

3. It uses research methods that are applicable to both quantitative and

qualitative data [collects data through survey, observation, historical studies,
case studies, documentary analysis, etc.]
Types of Non-Experimental Quantitative
Research
[Quantitative research can generally be categorized into two:
experimental and non-experimental types. These two types are used by
researchers depending on the topic and the nature of the problem
that is being investigated.]
1. Descriptive Research
Descriptive quantitative research is an example of a
nonexperimental research design. The focus of this research
design is to describe factors, variables, or phenomena that occur
in nature.
2. Comparative Research
This is another example of a nonexperimental research
design. The primary objective of comparative research (also called
causal-comparative research) is to compare two variables in order
to identify whether there exists a causative relationship between
them. This kind of research usually involves two or more groups
and one independent variable.
3. Correlational Research

This is another example of a nonexperimental research

design. Its primary objective is to compare two variables then
identify the relationship between them.
1.EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH

Experimental research is a quantitative research that treats or

deals with the object or subject of the research in definite or exact
manner and determines the extent of the effects or influence of the
treatment on the object/subject, then discovers the causes of such
effects. Two groups are involved in an experimental research: the
experimental group, the one on which the treatment or influence is
applied; and the control group, which does not receive any treatment.
The objects or subjects involves in these types of research are chosen
randomly or selected by chance, rather than by the decision of the
researcher.
1. Quasi-experimental Research

Quasi-experimental research mirrors experimental

research, but it is not true experimental research where a
causal relationship can be determined with the use of
dependent and independent variables. Quasi-experiments
differ because the random selection of samples is not possible
due to innate or ethical reasons.
2. True Experimental Research

The primary objective of a true experimental

research design is to identify a cause-effect
relationship between the variables where the samples
are randomized.