[SH – PR2 / Practical Research 2]

1
[Understanding Data and Ways to Systematically Collect Data]

Understanding Data and Ways to Systematically

Collect Data

A lot of data from different sources preoccupy your mind as you go through
the several stages of research. To understand the data; that is, to find
meanings in them in relation to your study, you have conduct an orderly
manner of gathering, identifying, and grouping tem. A set-by-set
arrangement of facts and information is a must in research, because in
arriving at a conclusion about your study on the basis of the collected data,
you don’t only deal with lone proof or evidence but also with several proofs
hinging upon a common theme, concept or theory. (Baraceros, 2017)
At the end of the topic the students should be able to:
1. Discuss the quantitative research;
2. Discuss the areas of quantitative research; and
3. Discuss the most common quantitative research.

The Quantitative Research

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 focuses on gathering
numerical data and generalizing it across groups of people or to explain a
particular phenomenon. (Babbie, Earl R. The Practice of Social Research. 12th
ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage, 2010; Muijs, Daniel. Doing
Quantitative Research in Education with SPSS. 2nd edition. London: SAGE
Publications, 2010.)
our 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.
Quantitative research deals in numbers, logic, and an objective stance.
Quantitative research focuses on numeric and unchanging data and detailed,
convergent reasoning rather than divergent reasoning [i.e., the generation of
a variety of ideas about a research problem in a spontaneous, free-flowing
manner].

Course Module
Its main characteristics are:
1. The data is usually gathered using structured research instruments.
2. The results are based on larger sample sizes that are representative of the
population.
3. The research study can usually be replicated or repeated, given its high
reliability.
4. Researcher has a clearly defined research question to which objective
answers are sought.
5. All aspects of the study are carefully designed before data is collected.
6. Data are in the form of numbers and statistics, often arranged in tables,
charts, figures, or other non-textual forms.
7. Project can be used to generalize concepts more widely, predict future
results, or investigate causal relationships.
8. Researcher uses tools, such as questionnaires or computer software, to
collect numerical data.
The overarching aim of a quantitative research study is to classify features,
count them, and construct statistical models in an attempt to explain what is
observed.
Things to keep in mind when reporting the results of a study using
quantitative methods:
1. Explain the data collected and their statistical treatment as well as all
relevant results in relation to the research problem you are investigating.
Interpretation of results is not appropriate in this section.
2. Report unanticipated events that occurred during your data collection.
Explain how the actual analysis differs from the planned analysis. Explain
your handling of missing data and why any missing data does not
undermine the validity of your analysis.
3. Explain the techniques you used to "clean" your data set.
4. Choose a minimally sufficient statistical procedure; provide a rationale
for its use and a reference for it. Specify any computer programs used.
5. Describe the assumptions for each procedure and the steps you took to
ensure that they were not violated.
6. When using inferential statistics, provide the descriptive statistics,
confidence intervals, and sample sizes for each variable as well as the
value of the test statistic, its direction, the degrees of freedom, and the
significance level [report the actual p value].
7. Avoid inferring causality, particularly in nonrandomized designs or
without further experimentation.
8. Use tables to provide exact values; use figures to convey global effects.
Keep figures small in size; include graphic representations of confidence
intervals whenever possible.
9. Always tell the reader what to look for in tables and figures.
 [SH – PR2 / Practical Research 2]
3
[Understanding Data and Ways to Systematically Collect Data]

Areas and Most Common Quantitative Research

Quantitative research is a type of empirical investigation. That means the
research focuses on verifiable observation as opposed to theory or logic.
Most often this type of research is expressed in numbers. A researcher will
represent and manipulate certain observations that they are studying. They
will attempt to explain what it is they are seeing and what affect it has on the
subject. They will also determine and what the changes may reflect. The
overall goal is to convey numerically what is being seen in the research and
to arrive at specific and observable conclusions.
If you’re going to be conducting quantitative research, you might want to
check out Udemy’s course on writing an effective research paper. There you
will find information to help you understand how to conduct your own
research, as well as how to interpret the research of others and arrange it
into a cohesive paper.
There are four basic types of quantitative research: survey, correlational,
causal-comparative, and experimental. But we must first understand how
quantitative research works.
How Quantitative Research Works
To better understand this style of research we need to break down its major
tenets. There are three: observing and explaining something that happens,
collecting information, and analyzing the information. The combination of
these three parts is at work when presenting clear and well-researched
findings.
Observing and explaining occurrences is the first step. The search for this
explanation can be presented in the form of a question. It can also be
expressed as a hypothesis. In the case of a hypothesis the search for an
explanation is made as a statement to be proved of disproved – depending on
the goals of your research.
The collection of information in quantitative research is what sets it apart
from other types. Quantitative research is focused specifically on numerical
information, also known as ‘data.’ Because the research requires its
conductor to use mathematical analysis to investigate what is being
observed, the information collected must be in numbers.
The last step of the research revolves around using mathematics to analyze
the ‘data’ collected. This is done with statistics. When most people think
about quantitative research they think specifically about statistics. You might
want to check out Udemy’s Introductory Statistics course. It can help you to
better understand how to crunch numbers for better quantitative research
practices.
Now, let’s go over the four types of quantitative research:
1. Survey Research

Course Module
Survey research uses interviews, questionnaires, and sampling polls to get a
sense of behavior with intense precision. It allows researchers to judge
behavior and then present the findings in an accurate way. This is usually
expressed in a percentage. Survey research can be conducted around one
group specifically or used to compare several groups. When conducting
survey research it is important that the people questioned are sampled at
random. This allows for more accurate findings across a greater spectrum of
respondents.
It is very important when conducting survey research that you work with
statisticians and field service agents who are reputable. Since there is a high
level of personal interaction in survey scenarios as well as a greater chance
for unexpected circumstances to occur, it is possible for the data to be
affected. This can heavily influence the outcome of the survey.
There are several ways to conduct survey research. They can be done in
person, over the phone, or through mail or email. In the last instance they can
be self-administered. When conducted on a single group survey research is
its own category. However survey research can be applied to the other types
of research listed below.
You’ve probably taken part in several survey research projects, since they are
extremely common. Have you ever received a receipt from a store or
restaurant where you’re asked to call a number at the bottom to participate
in a survey and be entered to win? Have you ever been asked to “stay on the
line” to answer a few questions after an experience with a customer service
rep? Have you ever been asked to give your thoughts after visiting a website?
These are all examples of survey research.
2. Correlational Research
Correlational research tests for the relationships between two variables.
Performing correlational research is done to establish what the affect of one
on the other might be and how that affects the relationship. Correlational
research is conducted in order to explain a noticed occurrence. In
correlational research the survey is conducted on a minimum of two groups.
In most correlational research there is a level of manipulation involved with
the specific variables being researched. Once the information is compiled it is
then analyzed mathematically to draw conclusions about the affect that one
has on the other.
Remember, correlation does not always mean causation. For example, just
because two data points sync doesn’t mean that there is a direct cause and
effect relationship. Typically, you should not make assumptions from
correlational research alone.
3. Causal-Comparative Research
Causal-comparative research looks to uncover a cause and effect
relationship. This research is not conducted between the two groups on each
other. Rather than look solely for a statistical relationship between two
variables it tries to identify, specifically, how the different groups are affected
by the same circumstance. Causal-comparative research involves
‘comparison.’ In causal-comparative research the study of two or more
groups is done without focusing on their relationship. As always the use of
 [SH – PR2 / Practical Research 2]
5
[Understanding Data and Ways to Systematically Collect Data]

statistical analysis is engaged to synthesize the data in a clear method for

presentation.
4. Experimental Research
Though questions may be posed in the other forms of research, experimental
research is guided specifically by a hypothesis. Sometimes experimental
research can have several hypotheses. A hypothesis is a statement to be
proven or disproved. Once that statement is made experiments are begun to
find out whether the statement is true or not. This type of research is the
bedrock of most sciences, in particular the natural sciences. If natural
sciences, such as biology, are something you are interested in you should
check out Udemy’s course on writing an A+ Biology Paper. It will help you
use the types of quantitative research to great effect
(https://blog.udemy.com/types-of-quantitative-research/)

Glossary
Survey Research – this is a research used a questionnaire in order to gain
data or collect data.
Experimental Research – this is a research used scientific process
Correlational Research – this is a research used correlation to the result of
the research
Casual-Comparative Research – states the difference or similarities between
or among the variables

References
Baraceros, Esther L. (2017), Practical Research 2, Rex Book Store, Inc., First
Edition
Baraceros, Esther L. (2017), Practical Research 1, Rex Book Store, Inc., First
Edition
Sarno, Emerlita G. (2010), Tips and Techniques in Writing Research, Rex
Book Store, Inc.

Course Module