Nature of
Inquiry and
Research
(Quantitative Research)
Course Material 1
Objectives
At the end of the lesson, the students
will be able to:
1. describe the characteristics, strengths, weaknesses, and
kinds of quantitative research;
2. illustrate the importance of quantitative research across
field; and
3. differentiate the kinds of variables and their uses.
Key Questions:
1. What is the nature of inquiry and research, its
characteristics and methods?
2. What is Quantitative research?
3. What are the differences of qualitative and
quantitative research?
4. What are the different variables in a
Quantitative Research?
Research
Research is defined as a systematic and
organized process of collecting, organizing,
analyzing, and interpreting data to find
answers to people's queries.
Introduction to
Quantitative
Research
Quantitative
Research
is an empirical approach to
scientific investigation that
centers on the systematic
collection and analysis of
numerical data.
What is the Goal of a
Quantitative Research?
The primary goal of quantitative research is to
quantify relationships, test hypotheses, and
make predictions about populations.
Key Features of a Quantitative Research
Numerical Data
Statistical Analysis
Structured Research Design
Large Sample Sizes
Hypothesis Testing
Generalizability
Faster Data Analysis
Reliable Data
High Replicability
Objectivity
Advantages of Quantitative
Research
Objectivity and Precision
Statistical Analysis
Generalizability
Replicability
Efficiency
Clear-Cut Results
Causality Exploration
Structure Questioning
Data Comparisons
Disadvantages of Quantitative
Research
Lack of Depth and Detail
Limited Exploration of Context
Rigidity in Design
Might be oversimplified
Too much dependence of Instrumentation
Kinds of Quantitative Research
1. Experimental Research
2. Non- Experimental Research
Experimental Research
● True Experimental
● Quasi- Experimental
1. EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
Experimental research is a quantitative research that
treats or deals with the object or subject of the research in
a 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 any 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.
A. True Experimental Research
researchers have full control, including random assignment
of participants to experimental conditions.
Effects of Temperature to the Academic Scores of Students
Experimental
1. True Experimental
Example:
• You want to answer “Should plants need to be watered in order to live?”
• CG- Plants that are not watered.
• EG- Consists of plants that received water.
• CG- Set of plants not exposed to salt.
• EG- Received salt treatment
Quantitative Research Designs
Experimental
Placebo- a phenomenon where people report real
improvement after taking a fake or nonexistent treatment
Using The FIVES Strategy to Improve Students’
Reading Comprehension Skills
RESEARCH QUESTIONS:
1. What is the difference in the mean scores of the pre-test
between the control group and the experimental group?
2. What is the difference in the mean scores of the post-test
between the experimental group and the control group?
3. What is the level of difference in the mean scores between
the pre-test and post-test measurements within the
experimental group?
B. Quasi Experimental
Research
Similar to True Experimental research, this research design aims
to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between two
variables.
Unlike True Experiment, quasi-experiment does not rely on
random assignment. Instead, subjects are assigned to groups
based on non-random criteria.
B. Quasi Experimental
Research
Useful tool in situations where true experiments cannot be used
for ethical and practical reasons.
Experimental
2.Quasi- Experimental
You discover that a few of the psychotherapists in the clinic have decided to try
out the new therapy, while others who treat similar patients have chosen to stick
with the normal protocol.
You can use these pre-existing groups to study the symptom progression of the
patients treated with the new therapy versus those receiving the standard course
of treatment.
Non- Experimental Research
● Survey
1. Cross-Sectional
2. Correlational
3. Longitudinal
3.1 Trend Study
3.2 Cohort Study
3.3 Panel Study
● Ex-Post Facto/ Causal- Comparative Study
● Comparative Study
● Descriptive
Non- Experimental Research
Way of finding out truths about a subject by describing the collected data
about such subjects and determining their relationships or connection
with one another.
Any treatment or condition is not involved in this type of research.
There is a measuring variable here; hence once you do this kind of
research, you deal with both qualitative and quantitative research.
B. NON-EXPERIMENTAL
1. Descriptive Research
• aims to observe and report on a as it takes place or manifests itself.
One of certain phenomenon, type of behavior, or trait
limitation
inability to establish causal relationship,
used when little is known about a topic the descriptive research design is its that is,
one variable cannot be claimed as the cause of another variable.
• This is why the descriptive research design is or when the study is exploratory in
nature.
B. NON-EXPERIMENTAL
1. Descriptive Research
• It can answer the what, where, when, and how questions but not the why
question.
• Unlike Experimental Research, the researcher does not control or
manipulate any of the variables but only measures them.
B. NON-EXPERIMENTAL
1. Descriptive Research
• Sample SOPs
How often do you buy mobile phones for fitness purposes?
How much would you be willing to pay for women’s lifestyle magazine?
How regularly do you go abroad for a holiday?
B. NON-EXPERIMENTAL
1. Descriptive Research
B. NON-EXPERIMENTAL
1. Descriptive Research
Survey Research
involves collecting data from individuals
through the administration of structured
questionnaires or interviews. This method is
efficient for collecting data from a large
sample, allowing researchers to generalize
findings to a broader population. Survey
research is widely used in social sciences,
market research, and public opinion studies.
1. Cross-Sectional Research
Cross-sectional research is a type of
observational study that collects data from a
population or a representative subset at a single
point in time. Instead of following participants
over an extended period, researchers gather
information from different individuals or groups
simultaneously.
1. Cross-Sectional Research
Cross-sectional research is a type of observational
study that collects data from a population or a
representative subset at a single point in time.
Instead of following participants over an extended
period, researchers gather information from different
individuals or groups simultaneously.
A cross-sectional study can examine current
attitudes, beliefs, opinions, or practices.
Analyzing ESL Graduate Students’ E-
Reading Habit
RESEARCH QUESTIONS:
1. What is the demographic profile of the respondents?
2. What is the e-reading habit of the respondents?
3. Is there a significant difference on the e-reading habit
between male and female respondents?
4. Is there a sigificant relationship on the e-reading habit
and age of the respondents?
5. Is there a significant relationship between the e-reading
habit and socioeconomic status of the respondents?
2. Correlational
Research
A relationship exists between two variables when
knowing the value of one variable allows you to
estimate, to some degree, what the value would be of
the other variable.
B. NON-EXPERIMENTAL
2. Correlational Research
Positive correlation Both variables change in the same As height increases, weight also
direction increases
Negative correlation The variables change in opposite As coffee
directions consumption increases, tiredness de
creases
Zero correlation There is no relationship between the Coffee consumption is not
variables correlated with height
Exploring the Correlation between Exercise
and Stress Levels
RESEARCH QUESTIONS:
1. To what extent is there a correlation between the
frequency of exercise and self-reported stress levels
among adults?
2. Does the type of exercise (e.g., aerobic, strength training)
exhibit a differential correlation with reported stress
levels?"
3. Are there gender or age-related variations in the observed
correlation between onine habits and stress levels?
B. NON-EXPERIMENTAL
2. Correlational Research
• Analyzing numerical data to understand the correlation
between study hours and academic performance,
providing insights into potential connections without
manipulating the variables
B. NON-EXPERIMENTAL
2. Correlational Research
B. NON-EXPERIMENTAL
2. Correlational Research
B. NON-EXPERIMENTAL
2. Correlational Research
3. Longitudinal
Research
Studying changes in variables over an
extended period with quantitative measures.
LONGITUDINAL: Trend Study
A trend study is a type of longitudinal research that examines
changes in a particular variable or phenomenon within a
population over time.
EXAMPLE: A research interested in finding out the characteristics
of adult learners would survey adult students in a particular course
in that particular year. This would be followed by annual survey of
adults enrolling in the course. The annual survey of beginners
would continue until sufficient data is gathered to enable a
discussion on trends in the characteristics of adult learners enrolling
in that course.
LONGITUDINAL: Cohort Study
A group of people with the same characteristics/ population
are followed over time, but a different sample was taken.
EXAMPLE: A researcher might be interested in the career
development of NU- Fairview students who graduated between
the years 2022-2029. The research might choose to survey
different samples every two years for a period of five years.
LONGITUDINAL: Panel Study
• A panel study is a specific type of longitudinal study
where data is gathered from the same sample, known
as a "panel," at different points in time.
• EXAMPLE: In the same example regarding career
development of NU Fairview students who graduated
between the years 2022-2029, the first sample
graduate that is drawn would be followed over a
specified period of time
Ex-Post Facto/ Causal - Comparative
Implies “After the fact” because causes are
studied after they have exerted their effect
on another variable.
Sometimes it is unethical or impossible to
manipulate certain variables to investigate
their potential influence on the dependent
variable.
AN EX POST FACTO STUDY OF FIRST-YEAR STUDENT ORIENTATION
AS AN
INDICATOR OF STUDENT SUCCESS AT A COMMUNITY COLLEGE
1. How do the grade point averages (GPA) of community college
students taking orientation their first semester compare to the
GPA of their counterparts not taking orientation their first
semester?
2. To what degree are community college first-year students who
take orientation their first semester retained in the subsequent
semester in comparison with their counterparts who do not take
orientation their first semester?
3. To what degree does the delivery format used to complete
orientation affect retention and grade point averages?
HYPOTHESIS
is the statement or claim being made
(which we are trying to disprove)
NULL ALTERNATIVE
hypothesis states that there hypothesis should state what
is no difference between you expect the data to show,
groups or no relationship based on your research on
between variables. The null the topic. This is your
hypothesis is a presumption answer to your research
of status quo or no change. question.
NULL
H0: There is no difference in the salary of
factory workers based on gender.
ALTERNATIVE
Ha: Male factory workers have a higher
salary than female factory workers.
SRQ: Is there a significant difference on the e-reading habit between
male and female respondents?
NULL
H0: There is no significant difference on the e-reading
habit between male and female respondents.
ALTERNATIVE
Ha: There is a significant difference on the e-reading
habit between male and female respondents.
Using The FIVES Strategy to Improve Students’
Reading Comprehension Skills
RESEARCH QUESTIONS:
1. What is the difference in the mean scores of the post-test
between the control group and the experimental group?
2. What is the difference in the mean scores of the post-test
between the experimental group and the control group?
3. What is the level of difference in the mean scores between
the pre-test and post-test measurements within the
experimental group?
NULL
H0-There is no difference between the two groups
according to the mean score of the pretest.
H0- There is no difference of experimental group
according to the mean score of the posttest.
H0- There is no difference between the mean
scores for pre and post for the experimental
group. These hypotheses will be verified by the
end of this study.
Analyzing ESL Graduate Students’ E-
Reading Habit
RESEARCH QUESTIONS:
1. What is the demographic profile of the respondents?
2. What is the e-reading habit of the respondents?
3. Is there a significant difference on the e-reading habit
between male and female respondents?
4. Is there a sigificant relationship on the e-reading habit
and age of the respondents?
5. Is there a significant relationship between the e-reading
habit and socioeconomic status of the respondents?
NULL
H0- There is no significant difference on the e-
reading habit between the male and female
respondents.
H0- There is no significant relationship between
the respondents’ e-reading habit and age.
H0- There is no significant relationship between
the respondents’ e-reading habit and their socio-
economic status.
Exploring the Correlation between Exercise
and Stress Levels
RESEARCH QUESTIONS:
1. To what extent is there a correlation between the
frequency of exercise and self-reported stress levels
among adults?
2. Does the type of exercise (e.g., aerobic, strength training)
exhibit a differential correlation with reported stress
levels?"
3. Are there gender or age-related variations in the observed
correlation between onine habits and stress levels?
NULL
H0- There is no significant correlation between the
frequency of exercise and self-reported stress
levels among adults.
H0- There is no significant difference in the
correlation between reported stress levels and the
type of exercise (e.g., aerobic, strength training)
among adults.
H0- There are no gender and age-related
variations in the correlation between online habits
and stress levels among adults
Nature of Variables
● Dependent Variables
● Independent Variables
● Qualitative Variables
● Quantitative Variables
● Controlled Group
● Experimental Group
VARIABLE
Is any factor or propert that a research measures,
controls, and/or manipulates.
It is also the changing quantity or measure of any
factor, trait, or condition that can exist in different
amounts of time.
It is also alogical set of attributes, characteristics,
numbers, or quantities that can be measured or
counted/
Quantitative Variable
Numerical
Discrete Continuous
• Ex: number of chairs inside the • Ex: Weight and Height of students
classroom; class size of a certain
section; frequency of students who are
male.
Nature of Variables
• You design a study to test whether changes in room
temperature have an effect on math test scores.
• Your independent variable is the temperature of the
room. You vary the room temperature by making it cooler
for half the participants, and warmer for the other half.
• Your dependent variable is math test scores. You
measure the math skills of all participants using a
standardized test and check whether they differ based on
room temperature.
Nature of Variables
• You are studying the impact of a new medication on the
blood pressure of patients with hypertension.
• IV= Treatment
• DV=Blood pressure
Nature of Variables
You wanted to know how strong is the relationship between
rainfall and soil erosion. What is the IV and the DV?
Questions?
Thank
you!
