CHAPTER 1 - LESSON

Characteristics, Strengths,
Weaknesses, Kinds of Quantitative
Research
Prepared by:
Francess Johanna F. Dela Fuente
Teacher I/Subject Teacher
 INTRODUCTION
• Quantitative research designs use numbers in stating
generalizations about a given problem or inquiry in
contrast to qualitative research that hardly uses
statistical treatment in stating generalizations.

• These numbers are the results of objective scales of

measurements of the units of analysis called variables.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
• OBJECTIVE. Quantitative research seeks accurate
measurement and analysis of target concepts. It is not
based on mere intuitions and guesses. Data are gathered
before proposing a conclusion or solution to a problem.
• STRUCTURED RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS. Data are
normally gathered using structured research tools such as
questionnaires to collect measurable characteristics of the
population.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
• CLEARLY DEFINED RESEARCH QUESTIONS. In quantitative
research, 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 data are gathered.
• NUMERICAL DATA. Data are in the form of numbers and
statistics, often organized and presented using tables, charts,
graphs and figures that consolidate large numbers of data to
show relationship among variables.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
• 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.
• REPLICATION. Reliable quantitative studies can be
repeated to verify or confirm the correctness of the results in
another setting. This strengthens the validity of the findings
thus eliminating the possibility of spurious conclusions.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
• FUTURE OUTCOMES. By using complex
mathematical calculations and with the aid of
computers, if-then scenarios may be formulated thus
predicting future results.
 Strengths and Weaknesses of
Quantitative Research
STRENGTHS
1. Quantitative research design is the most reliable and valid way of
concluding results, giving way to a new hypothesis or to disproving it.
2. Because of a bigger number of the sample of a population, the results or
generalizations are more reliable and valid.
3. Quantitative experiments filter out external factors, if properly designed, and
so the results gained can be seen, as real and unbiased. Quantitative
experiments are useful for testing the results gained by a series of
qualitative experiments, leading to a final answer, and a narrowing down of
possible directions to follow.
 Strengths and Weaknesses of
Quantitative Research
WEAKNESSES
1. Quantitative research can be costly, difficult and time-consuming- difficult
because most researchers are non-mathematicians. '
2. Quantitative studies require extensive statistical treatment, requiring stringent
standards, more so with confirmation of results. When ambiguities in some
findings surface, retesting and refinement of the design call for another
investment in time and resources to polish the results.
3. Quantitative methods also tend to turn out only proved or unproven results,
leaving little room for uncertainty, or grey areas. For the social sciences,
education, anthropology and psychology, human nature is a lot more complex
than just a simple yes or no response.
 Kinds of Quantitative Research Designs

Research design refers to the overall strategy that you choose

in order to integrate the different components of the study in a
coherent and logical way, thereby ensuring you will effectively
address the research problem.

Furthermore, a research design constitutes the blueprint for the

selection, measurement and analysis of data. The research problem
determines the research design you should use.
 Kinds of Quantitative Research Designs
• Quantitative methods emphasize 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 designs are generally classified
experimental and non-experimental as the following matrix
shows:
 Kinds of Quantitative Research
Descriptive Research. This design is concerned with describing the
nature, characteristics and components of the population or a
phenomenon.
Example:
1. The hours senior high school students spend in social media.
2. The condition of No back-riding Policy of motorcycles in the town of
Pag-asa
3. The effect of the shifting of classes to students and parents
 Kinds of Quantitative Research
Correlational Research. It is the systematic investigation of the nature
of relationships, or associations between and among variables
without necessarily investigating into causal reasons underlying them.
Example: You want to research about the relationship of the following:
1. sex and mathematical ability
2. marriage and cancer recovery
3. occupation, and life span.
 Kinds of Quantitative Research
Evaluation Research. This kind of research aims to assess the
effects, impacts or outcomes of practices, policies, or programs.
Example:
1. Determining the impact of a new treatment procedure to
patients.
2. Evaluating the attitude of the students in learning to the new
technology used in teaching
3. The effectiveness of wearing of facemask in the town of Pag-
asa.
 Kinds of Quantitative Research
Survey Research. A survey research is used to gather
information from groups of people by selecting and studying
samples chosen from a population. It may be done in various
ways like face-to-face, phone, email, and online.
Example:
1. Determining the rate of promotion of doctorate degree holders
five years after earning the degree.
2. Sanitary practices of the student at home
3. Preferable track of the senior high school students
 Kinds of Quantitative Research
Causal-Comparative Research. It is also known as ex post facto (after the fact) research. This
kind of research derives conclusion from observations and manifestations that already occurred
in the past and now compared to some dependent variables.
Example:
1. If you are interested in how weight influences stress-coping level of adults. Subject would be
separated by groups (underweight, normal weight, overweight) and their stress-coping levels
measured. Weight is a pre- existing characteristic that makes it an ex post facto design.
2. You want to know why the people in Pag-asa has higher of incidents of cancer than its
neighboring town (cancer cases are the pre-existing fact that makes it ex post facto)
3. The increase of fatal vehicular accidents in a town (vehicular accident is the pre-existing fact
that makes it ex post facto)
 Kinds of Quantitative Research
Experimental Research. This research utilizes scientific method to test cause-and-effect
relationships under conditions controlled by the researcher. In this case an effort is made to
determine and impose control over all other variables except one.
Example:
1. A teacher would like to know if a new teaching strategy is effective or not so he/she teaches
one section using the new strategy and teaches another comparable section without the new
strategy, then an achievement test was given to the two sections. The manipulated independent
variable is the new teaching strategy, and all other variables are controlled by the teacher.
2. An agriculturist wants to know which is more effective, organic fertilizer or synthetic inorganic
fertilizer in sweet potato crops.
3. A dietician wants to recommend ampalaya ice cream to his patients. He wants to know how
much ratio of ampalaya and milk would be acceptable to the taste of his patients.
 MINI QUIZ
• Directions: Identify which about quantitative research is described
in each item below. Choose your answer from the box.

Objective Conclusive
Result-oriented Structured data gathering method
Particularistic Random sampling
Hypotheses are tested Deductive
Measurable Numerical data
1. Examples of these are the standardized or researcher-
made questionnaires, surveys, and observations.
2. These are information which are expressed in numbers.
3. These are presumptions to be computed before accepting
it as true.
4. The relevance of the outcome is more important than the
process of the research.
5. This is the ability of the data to be counted.
6. It denotes the unbiased representation of the total population.
7. It starts out with a general statement, or hypothesis, and
examines the possibilities to reach a specific, logical conclusion.
8. It is meant to provide information that is useful in reaching
conclusions or decision-making.
9. The results and conclusion are based on relevant facts, not
on personal perception.
10.Quantitative research focuses on a specific research
problem to yield specific outcomes.