QUANTITATIVE

RESEARCH
By: Michelle P. Cruz
MT I
The Nature of Inquiry
and Research
Research
Suggest an action that
denotes “to look for
something again”
 WHAT IS TO LOOK FOR IN THE RESEARCH PROCESS?
• New ideas
• At something in a different perspective using a new
LOOK investigative lens

• Certain processes
IMPROVE

• Something useful out of something old

CREATE

EXPLAIN • A series of observations

Nature & Importance

 Research is a systematic process of solving a problem or

finding answers to an inquiry.
 It is an organized method of finding or relatively new
ideas from the existing body of knowledge with the help of
useful tool for the purpose of improving the quality of life.
 “Most of the society’s major problems are resolved, needs
are satisfied, and demands are met.”
 Aims of Research

Verification of Existing Knowledge

• Proving/verifying the veracity of existing theories or
knowledge

Acquisition of New Knowledge

• Brings forth new ideas regarding a theory or even
create a totally new theory.

Application of New Knowledge

• Utilize and translate to something useful to humankind

Advancement of the Researcher’s

Expertise
• Gain relevant experiences that enhance and deepen
their knowledge and skills in the area of their
investigations
Quantitative Research: An Introduction

 Quantitative research is a formal, objective, systematic process in which

numerical data are used to obtain information about the world.
Quantitative research is:

 a formal, objective, systematic process for obtaining quantifiable information

about the world;

 presented in numerical form, and analyzed through the use of statistics;

 used to describe and to test relationships;

 used to examine the cause-and-effect of relationships.

Quantitative Research: An Introduction

 This method is used:

• Describe variables

• To examine relationships among variables

• to determine cause-and-effect interactions between variables.' (Burns &

Grove 2005:23)
In effect, to put it simple, QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH is concerned with numbers,
statistics, and the relationships between
events/numbers.
Characteristics Quantitative Research

 Methods or procedures of data gathering include items like age, gender,

educational status, among others, that call for measurable characteristics of the
population.

 Standardized instruments guide data collection, thus, ensuring the accuracy,

reliability and validity of data.

 Figures, tables or graphs showcase summarized data collected in order to show

trends, relationships or differences among variables. In sum, charts and tables
allow you to see the evidence collected.
Characteristics Quantitative Research

 A large population yields more reliable data, but principles of random

sampling must be strictly followed to prevent researcher’s bias.

 Quantitative research puts emphasis on proof, rather than discovery.

 Quantitative methods can be repeated to verify findings in another setting,

thus, reinforcing validity of findings..
 Strengths and Weaknesses of
Quantitative Research
Strengths
 Most reliable and valid way of concluding results

 Quantitative experiments filter out external factors

 Data can be very consistent, precise and reliable.

 Strengths and Weaknesses of
Quantitative Research
Weaknesses
 Quantitative research can be costly, difficult and time-consuming-difficult
because most researchers are non-mathematicians.

 Quantitative studies require extensive statistical treatment, requiring

stringent standards, more so with confirmation of results

 Quantitative methods also tend to turn out only proved or unproven results,
leaving little room for uncertainty, or grey areas.
Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research
STANDARDS QUALITATIVE QUANTITATIVE
Mental survey of reality Results from social Exists in the physical
interactions world
Cause-effect relationships Explained by people’s Revealed by automatic
objective desires descriptions of
circumstances or
conditions
Expression of data, data Verbal language(words, Numerals, statistics
analysis, and findings visuals, objects)
Research Plan Takes place as the Plans all research aspects
research proceeds before collecting data
gradually
Behavior toward research Desires to preserve the Control or manipulation
aspects/conditions natural setting of of research conditions by
research features the researcher
Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research
STANDARDS QUALITATIVE QUANTITATIVE
Obtaining knowledge Multiple methods Scientific method
Data analysis technique Thematic codal ways, Mathematically based
competence-based methods
Purpose Makes social intentions Evaluates objective and
understandable examines cause-effect
relationships
Style of expression Personal, lacks formality Impersonal, scientific, or
systematic

Sampling technique More inclined to Random sampling as the

purposive sampling or use most preferred
of chosen samples based
on some criteria