NATURE OF INQUIRY
AND RESEARCH
WHAT ARE QUANTITATIVE METHODS?
Quantitative methods are those research
methods that use numbers as its basis for making
generalizations about a phenomenon.
These numbers originate from objective scales of
measurement of the units of analysis called
variables.
CHARACTERISTICS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
• Data gathering instruments contain items that
solicit measurable characteristics of the population
(e.g. age, the number of children, educational
status, economic status).
• Standardized, pre-tested instruments guide data
collection thus ensuring the accuracy, reliability
and validity of data.
CHARACTERISTICS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
• For more reliable data analysis, a normal population
distribution curve is preferred over a non-normal
distribution. This requires a large population, the numbers
of which depend on how the characteristics of the
population vary. This requires adherence to the principle of
random sampling to avoid researcher’s bias in interpreting
the results that defeat the purpose of research.
CHARACTERISTICS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
• The data obtained using quantitative methods are organized using
tables, graphs, or figures that consolidate large numbers of data to
show trends, relationships, or differences among variables. This
fosters understanding to the readers or clients of the research
investigation.
• Researchers can repeat the quantitative method to verify or confirm
the findings in another setting. This reinforces the validity of
groundbreaking discoveries or findings thus eliminating the
possibility of spurious or erroneous conclusions.
CHARACTERISTICS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
• Quantitative models or formula derived from data
analysis can predict outcomes. If-then scenarios can
be constructed using complex mathematical
computations with the aid of computers.
• Advanced digital or electronic instruments are used
to measure or gather data from the field.
STRENGTHS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
1. Allows for a broader study, involving a greater number of
subjects and enhancing the generalization of the results
2. Allows for greater objectivity and accuracy of results.
3. Applying well-established standards means that the
research can be replicated and then analyzed and
compared with similar studies.
STRENGTHS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
4. Summarizes vast sources of information and make
comparisons across categories and over time.
5. Personal bias can be avoided by keeping a distance from
participating subjects and using accepted computation
techniques.
WEAKNESSES OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
1. Quantitative data is more efficient and bale to test
hypothesis but may fail to notice contextual point.
2. Uses a fixed and inflexible approach and so employs a rigid
process of discovery.
WEAKNESSES OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
3. The development of standard questions by researchers can
lead to structural bias and fake representation where the data
in reality mirrors the outlook of the researcher rather than of
the participating subject.
4. Results offer less detail on behavior, attitudes and
motivation.
5. Researcher may gather a much constricted and sometimes
superficial dataset.
WEAKNESSES OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
6. Results are inadequate as they may give numerical
descriptions rather than comprehensive narrative and usually
offer less detailed accounts of human perception.
7. The research is frequently done in an unnatural, artificial
environment so that a level of control can be applied to the
study. This level of control might not normally be in place in
the real world thus yielding laboratory results as opposed to
real world results.
WEAKNESSES OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
8. Preset answers will not automatically reflect how people
really sense about and in some cases might just be the closest
match to the preconceived hypothesis.
KINDS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
1. Descriptive Research
Descriptive studies are usually the best methods for collecting
information that will demonstrate relationships and describe the
world as it exists
In human research, a descriptive study can provide information
about the naturally occurring health status, behavior, attitudes or
other characteristics of a particular group.
Information is collected without changing the environment (i.e.,
nothing is manipulated)
KINDS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
1. Descriptive Research
conducted to demonstrate associations or relationships
between things in the world around you
Descriptive studies can involve a one-time interaction
with groups of people ( cross-sectional study ) or a study
might follow individuals over time ( longitudinal study )
KINDS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
1. Descriptive Research
Descriptive studies, in which the researcher interacts
with the participant, may involve surveys or interviews
to collect the necessary information.
Descriptive studies in which the researcher does not
interact with the participant include observational
studies of people in an environment and studies
involving data collection using existing records (e.g.,
medical record review).
KINDS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
2. Correlational Research
investigates one or more characteristics of a group to
discover the extent to which the characteristics vary
together
The main purpose of a correlational study is to
determine relationships between variables, and if a
relationship exists, to determine a regression equation
that could be used make predictions to a population
KINDS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
2. Correlational Research
Correlation does not imply causation.
For example, in studying the relationship between smoking
and cancer, the researcher begins with a sample of those who
have already developed the disease and a sample of those who
have not. The researcher then looks for differences between the
two groups in antecedents, behaviors, or conditions such as
smoking habits. If it is found that there is a relationship
between smoking and a type of cancer, the researcher cannot
conclude that smoking caused the cancer.
WHAT IS CAUSAL-COMPARATIVE RESEARCH?
In this type of research investigators attempt to
determine the cause or consequences of
differences that already exist between or among
groups of individuals.
IN OTHER WORDS…
• Causal-comparative research is an attempt to identify a
causative relationship between an independent variable
and a dependent variable.
• The relationship between the independent variable and
dependent variable is usually a suggested relationship (not
proven) because you (the researcher) do not have complete
control over the independent variable.
THE THREE TYPES
• There are 3 types of causal-comparative research:
• Exploration of Effects
• Exploration of Causes
• Exploration of Consequences
SIMILARITIES TO CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH
• Both types of research are examples of
associational research:
• Researchers seek to explore relationships among
variables.
• Both attempt to explain phenomena of
interest.
• Both seek to identify variables that are
worthy of later exploration
• Often provide guidance for later experimental
studies.
SIMILARITIES TO CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH
• Neither allow the researcher to manipulate the
variables.
• Both attempt to explore causation.
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
Experimental research is a study that strictly adheres to a scientific
research design.
It includes a hypothesis, a variable that can be manipulated by the
researcher, and variables that can be measured, calculated and
compared.
Most importantly, experimental research is completed in a controlled
environment.
The researcher collects data and results will either support or reject
the hypothesis. This method of research is referred to a hypothesis
testing or a deductive research method
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
Experimental research seeks to determine a relationship
between two (2) variables—the dependent variable and the
independent variable.
After completing an experimental research study, a
correlation between a specific aspect of an entity and the
variable being studied is either supported or rejected.
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
Data in experimental research must be able to be quantified, or
measured.
Data collected could be acidity/alkalinity, area, circumference, density,
electrical current/potential/resistance, force, growth (time, weight,
volume, length/width), heat, humidity, light intensity, mass, pressure,
sound intensity, temperature, time, velocity, volume or weight.
However, the entity should be carefully observed qualitatively, or
described using words and photographs. How does the entity look, smell,
sound, feel, and taste (when appropriate)? These types of observations
help supplement the measurements taken throughout the experiment.
MEANING OF VARIABLE
A variable is anything in a research
situation that varies and can be measured.
It can be human characteristics, groups,
schools, districts, instructional materials,
etc.
TYPES OF VARIABLE
1.Independent Variable – stimulus variable
chosen by the researcher to determine its
relationship to an observed phenomenon.
2. Dependent Variable – response variable
which is observed and measured to
determine the effect of the independent
variable.
TYPES OF VARIABLE
3. Intervening Variable – interferes with the
dependent and independent variables, but its
effects can either strengthen or weaken the
independent and dependent variables.
4. Control Variable – the variable controlled by
the researcher in which the effects can be
neutralized by eliminating or removing the
variable.
TYPES OF VARIABLE
5. Moderate variable - changes the strength
or direction of an effect between two
variables x and y. In other words, it affects the
relationship between the independent
variable (predictor) and a dependent
variable (criterion).
TYPES OF VARIABLE
6. Confounding Variable
A confounding variable is an “extra” variable
that you didn’t account for.
They can ruin an experiment and give you
useless results.
They can suggest there is correlation when in
fact there isn’t. They can even introduce bias.
EXAMPLE
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH ACROSS DISCIPLINE
1. Social Science
Social scientists study all aspects of human society from
the optimal distribution od goods and services to human
behavior and social relationships within groups and
between individuals
On the basis of their studies and analyses, social scientist
suggests solutions to social, business, personal,
governmental and environmental problems.
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH ACROSS DISCIPLINE
2. Science Research
Scientists study natural and physical phenomena from
diseases and global warming to atomic fission and ecology.
Chemist, Physicists, Biologists and the like are hired by
companies in research and development
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH ACROSS DISCIPLINE
3. Market Research
Market researchers use surveys, studies and focus groups
to collect data about consumer behavior.
Businesses use the information that market researchers
gather in various ways like what consumers think about
the product, test the effectiveness of an advertising
campaign or find out how people use website.
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH ACROSS DISCIPLINE
4. Financial Research
Researchers analyze companies’ financial statements and
operations, report on market trends and company
performance
Quite a few economists and other researchers also work
for various branches in the government
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH ACROSS DISCIPLINE
5. Academic Research
Teachers and professors generally conduct researches in
various disciplines.
When professors and researchers are not teaching, they
are often working on academic research which helps
advance knowledge in a particular field. These are the
basic unit of work in higher education.
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH ACROSS DISCIPLINE
5. Academic Research
It uses formal, scientific and systematic procedures to
discover answers. The scholarly research is guided by an
already existing theory in order to reject or support the theory.
Shared primarily through academic writings (doctoral
dissertation, thesis, dissertation research, scholarly journals,
academic conferences & presentations, academic articles and
other publications (e.g., books)
