12 SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Practical Research 2
Quarter 3 – Module 1:
The Nature of Quantitative Research

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 Practical Research 2
Quarter 1 – Module 1:
What is It

Quantitative research is the process of collecting and analyzing numerical

data. It emphasizes 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. The final written
report has a set structure consisting of introduction, literature and theory, methods,
results, and discussion (Cresswell, 2013).

Your goal in conducting quantitative research study is to determine the

relationship between one thing (an independent variable) and another (a dependent or
outcome variable) within a population. Quantitative research designs are either
descriptive (subjects usually measured once) or experimental (subjects measured
before and after a treatment). A descriptive study establishes only associations between
variables; an experimental study establishes causality (Babbie, 2010).

Quantitative research deals in numbers, logic, and an objective stance. It

focuses on numeric and unchanging data and detailed, convergent reasoning rather
than divergent reasoning such as the generation of a variety of ideas about a
research problem in a spontaneous, free-flowing manner (Babbie, 2010).

Characteristics of Quantitative Research

The main characteristics of quantiitative research (Brians, Craig

Leonard et al. (2011) are the following:
The data is usually gathered using structured research instruments.
The 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.
The 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. Data
are in the form of numbers and statistics, often arranged in tables, charts,
figures, or other non-textual forms.
Project can be used to generalize concepts more widely, predict future
results, or investigate causal relationships.
The researcher uses tools, such as questionnaires or computer software,
to collect numerical data
The Strengths and Weaknesses of Quantitative Research
The quantitative as survey approach has two significant advantages. First, it
can be administered and evaluated quickly. There is no need to spend time at the
organization prior to administering the survey, and the responses can be tabulated
within a short timeframe. Second, numericaldata obtained through this approach
facilitates comparisons betweenorganizations or groups, as well as allowing
determination of the extent of agreement or disagreement between respondents
(Yauch and Steudel, 2003).
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 Strengths Weaknesses
1. Reliability by 1. No human
critical perception and
analyzed. Quantitative beliefs.
2. Short time frame Research
2. Lack of
for administered Methodology
resources for
survey. Approach large scale
3. Facilitated research.
numerical data for 3. No depth
groups and extents experience
of agree or disagree description.
from respondents.

Figure 1. The Strengths and Weaknesses of Quantitative

Methodology by Carr, L. T. (1994)

TYPES OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

The term research can mean any sort of “systematic research in any field of
inquiry” (Kabir, 2016). Basic research is concerned with clarifying underlying
processes, with the hypothesis usually expressed as a theory.On the other hand,
applied research is interested in examining the effectiveness of particular educational
practices. Researchers engaged in applied research studies may or may not want to
investigate the degree towhich certain theories are useful in practical settings.
Experimental Research
Experimental research is the most conclusive of scientific methods because
the researcher actually establishes different treatments and then studies their
effects. Results from this type of research are likely to lead to the most clear-cut
interpretation. It is very popular in natural sciences such as the Science
Investigatory Project (SIP) in the junior high school.

Correlational Research 15
Correlational research is a type of research that is done to determine
relationships among two or more variables and to explore their implications for
cause and effect. An example question for correlational research is, Is there a
relationship between student’s academic performance and availability of ICTs at
home? Here, you are going to gather the data and investigate the extent of relationship
between the academic performance and availability of ICT at home. Perhaps, you
can assume that students with more ICTs available at home have better academic
performance. But, without manipulating the data, the researcher has to test using a
statistical tool if your assumption is right.

Causal-Comparative
Causal comparative is a type of research that is intended to determine the
cause for or the consequences of differences between groups of people. Suppose you
want to determine whether students from single-parent families do more poorly in
his/her course than students from two-parent families. Here, you might compare
two groups of students who already belong to one or the other type of family to see
if they differ in their achievement. Suppose the groups do differ, you can only
conclude that the difference does exist. However, you cannot conclude that the
difference in the family situation produced the difference in achievement. It’s
because there are other factors that may have caused/contributed the difference.

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 Survey Research
Survey research obtains data to determine specific characteristics of a group.
For an instance, you want to find out how the students feel about the Modular
Learning Modality and what they like about this approach. You may get the data
through a variety of survey techniques that measure their views about the modular
approach. A descriptive survey involves asking thesame set of questions of a large
number of individuals using a questionnaire. You can also gather the data
through interview. Data will be tabulated and
reported.
VARIABLES
A variable is a concept, a noun that stands for variation within a class of
objects, such as chairs, gender, eye color, achievement, motivation, or running speed.
Even style and lust for life are variables.

Quantitative versus Categorical Variables

Quantitative variables exist in some degree along the range from less to
more, and you can assign numbers to different individual or subjects to indicate
how much of the variable they possess. Few examples are height (e.g. 5’2”, 6’1”) and
weight (e.g. 46kg., 42kg.). Oftentimes, quantitative variables can be subdivided into
smaller and smaller units such as length which can be measured in miles, yards,
feet, inches or in whatever subdivision of an inch is needed.

Categorical variables do not vary in degree,

16 amount, or quantity but are
qualitatively different. Few of the examples are eye color, gender, religious preference,
occupation, position on a baseball team, and most kinds of research “treatments” or
“methods”. Even, Learning Delivery Modality (e.g. Printed modular distance learning,
online distance learning, etc.)
Independent versus Depended Variable
Independent variables are those that the researcher chooses to study in
order to assess their possible effect(s) on one or more variables. It is presumed to affect
or somehow influence at least one other variable.

Dependent variables are those variables that are presumed to be affected by

the independent variables. This means that dependent variables“depends on” what the
independent variables do to them, or how independent variables affect them. It can
be portrayed graphically as follows:

Independent Dependent
variable(s) Variable(s)
(presumed or possible (presumed result)
cause)

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What’s More

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 Activity:

Directions: Copy the diagram on your notebook and do what are asked.

1. What is a Quantitative Research?

What are the kinds of Quantitative Give a sample research

Research? Give describe each. applicable for this type.

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 Assessment

Name:_________________________________________________
Activity 1 Let’s check it out…

Directions. Read and analyze the statements below. Write True if the
statement is correct and False if it is wrong. Write your answers
in your YELLOW PAD PAPER.

1. Qualitative research uses inductive approach to test theory.

2. The researchers in quantitative type of research must focus on a
specific research question that can be addressed in the study.
3. In quantitative research, it requires a careful review of the research
literatures and developing hypotheses that frequently come from social
theory.
4. The questionnaires or experiment will be applied in quantitative study.
5. Quantitative Research involves counting or measuring often statistical
tests are applied to detect or confirm tendencies.
6. Probability or non-probability sampling approaches in quantitativestudy
are required the researchers to choose a proper way before drawing a
sample size.
7. Using questionnaire is one of the most popular tools for the quantitative
research.

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 What I Can Do

Activity 6. Let’s prove it…

Directions. List down at least 3 interesting topics/titles for a quantitative

research that are related in your chosen strand. Out of the
three topics, encircle the one that you think you are
most interested to conduct a research this semester.

3 Possible Research Topics

1.
2.
3.

Why are y o u interested to conduct this research?

How can this research benefit you as a researcher?

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 Assessment

Activity 7. Let’s check it out…

Directions. Read and analyze the statements below. Write True if the
statement is correct and False if it is wrong. Write youranswers
in your activity notebook.

8. Qualitative research uses inductive approach to test theory.

9. The researchers in quantitative type of research must focus on a
specific research question that can be addressed in the study.
10. In quantitative research, it requires a careful review of the research
literatures and developing hypotheses that frequently come from social
theory.
11. The questionnaires or experiment will be applied in quantitative study.
12. Quantitative Research involves counting or measuring often statistical
tests are applied to detect or confirm tendencies.
13. Probability or non-probability sampling approaches in quantitativestudy
are required the researchers to choose a proper way before drawing a
sample size.
14. Using questionnaire is one of the most popular tools for the quantitative
research.

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Answer Key

Activity 7: Assessment
Activity 6: Answers may vary
Activity 5: Answers may vary
Activity 4: Answers may vary
Activity 3: Answers may vary
Activity 2: Answers may vary
7. True
6. True
5. True
4. True
3. True
2. True
1. False
Activity 1

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Glossary

Applied research -is a methodology used to solve a specific, practical

issue affecting an individual or group.

Basic research -is a type of research approach that is aimed at

Gaining a better understanding of a subject,
Phenomenon or basic law of nature.

Dependent variable - the variable that depends on other factors that are
measured. These variables are expected to change as
a result of an experimental manipulation of the
independent variable or variables. It is the presumed
effect.
Independent variable - the variable that is stable and unaffected by the
other variables you are trying to measure. It refers
to the condition of an experiment that is
systematically manipulated by the investigator. It is
the presumed cause.
Variable -in research simply refers to a person, place,
thing, or phenomenon that you are trying to measure in
some way.

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 References
Book
s Babbie, Earl R. The (2010). Practice of Social Research. 12th ed. Belmont,
CA: Wadsworth Cengage.

Brians, Craig Leonard et al. (2011). Empirical Political Analysis: Quantitative

and Qualitative Research Methods. 8th ed. Boston, MA: Longman.

Creswell, J. W. (2013). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed

methods approaches. Sage publications.

McNabb, David E. (2008) Research Methods in Public Administration and

Nonprofit Management: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches. 2nd
ed. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe, 2008.

Tudy, Randy & Tudy, Ida & Bayod, Rogelio & Ararao, Charlene. (2019).
Learning the Fundamentals of Quantitative Research.

Yauch and Steudel, (2003) Organizational Research Methods,

journals.sagepub.com

Online

Bit.ly/intro2research

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