What is Quantitative Research?

Quantitative Research, according to Allaga and Gunderson (2000), is “explaining phenomena by

collecting numerical data that are analyzed using mathematical based methods ( in particular statistics).”
This type of research utilizes numbers and statistical analysis. It is ideal in studying phenomenon which
must contend with the problems of measurement.

A phenomenon is a peculiar incident that can happen anywhere, with any discipline or in any
organization. Examples are increase in sales, change in turn-over rates, change in drop-out rates,
decrease in the number of failing students in Mathematics, shift in the percentage of dengue patients,
rise in the rate of youth drug addiction, and decrease in juvenile crime rates in the rural areas.

In studying a phenomenon, quantitative researchers attempt to measure relevant factors and

variables by attaching numeric values that express quantity. Analyzing numbers to answer a scientific
inquiry is done through mathematical formulas usually used in descriptive and inferential statistics.

Quantitative Research is the traditional, positivist scientific method which refers to a general set
of orderly, disciplined procedures to acquire information. It utilizes deductive reasoning to generate
predictions that are tested in the real world. It is systematic since the researcher progresses logically
through a series of steps and according to a pre-specified plan of action.

Characteristics of Quantitative Research

1. It is reliable and objective.

2. It uses statistics to generalize a finding.

3. It reduces and restructures a complex problem to a limited number of variables.

4. It looks at the connections between variables and establishes cause and effect relationships in
highly controlled circumstances.

5. It tests theories or hypotheses.

6. It assumes that the sample is representative of the population.

7. The subjectivity of its methodology is a secondary concern.

8. It deals with the details of the subject.

 Strengths and Weaknesses of Quantitative Research
Strengths/Advantages
 It allows the researcher to measure
and analyze the data to arrive at an
objective answer to the problem
posed or stated.
 The result is reliable since the study
uses a big sample of the population.
 Standards are usually used in choosing
the instruments, in sampling
procedures, and in choosing the most
appropriate statistical treatment, thus
making the research replicable.
 Personal biases can be avoided since
personal interaction is not part of the
research process.
 Processes involved are simplified since
the steps in doing quantitative
research are made easy and
systematic.
 Results can be reduced through
statistical treatments and interpreted
in a few statements.
Weaknesses/Disadvantages
 The context of the study or the
experiment is ignored in such
away that it does not consider the
natural setting where the study is
conducted.
 Having a large study sample
requires researches to spend more
resources.
 Results are limited since they are
usually based on the analysis of
numbers and are not obtained
from detailed narratives.
 It provides less elaborate accounts
of human perceptions.
 In experimental research, the level
of control might not be normally
placed in the real world because it
is usually done in a laboratory.
 Preset or fixed alternative answers
may not necessarily reflect the
true answers of the participants.
 Findings can be influenced by the
researcher’s perspective since
most of the time, the participants
are unknown to him/her.
Four Types of Quantitative Research

1) Descriptive Research- aims to define the existing condition of a classified variable. It is intended
to offer methodical data or systematic information about a phenomenon. It does not usually
start with a hypothesis but rather after systematic data gathering since the test of hypothesis
comes from data analysis. Gathering of data necessitates thorough selection not only of the
units studied but the measurement of each variable as well.

Example:

1. A description of how senior high school students celebrate their birthdays

2. A description of how parents feel about the K to 12 Curriculum

2. Correlational Research- the degree of relationship between two or more variables using statistical
data. It seeks to interpret the relationship between and among a number of facts and distinguishes
tendencies and patterns in data, but does not go so far in analysis to prove causes for these observed
patterns. Moreover, the data, relationships, and distributions variables are identified only in a natural
setting and not in a manipulated one.

Example:

1. The relationship between successful career and educational attainment

2. The relationship between high grades and having tutors

3. Causal Comparative/Quasi-Experimental Research-It endeavors to ascertain cause-effect relationship

among variables. This type of research is very similar to true experiments but with key dissimilarities
such as (a) an independent variable is identified but not manipulated and (b) the effects of the
independent variable on the dependent variables are measured. You do not randomly assign groups but
rather use those that are naturally formed or preexisting. The recognized control groups exposed to the
treatment variable are compared to groups who are not.

In arriving at conclusions, establishing causes must be done prudently, as other variables, both known
and unknown, could still affect the outcome. 

Example:

1. The effect of studying in Catholic schools on the moral value system of those who graduate
from these schools

2. The effect of exercising regularly to body witness

4) Experimental (Empirical) Research-it is usually termed as true experimentation. It applies the
scientific method to prove “the cause-effect relationship among a group of variables that make up a
study. The true experiment is also considered as a “laboratory study”, yet this is not most of the time
the situation because a laboratory setting may not be necessary.

Characteristics of a True Experiment

a. Any study where an effort is made to identify and impose control over all other variables
except one.

b. An independent variable which is manipulated to determine its effects on the

dependent variables

c. Subjects that are randomly assigned to experimental treatments rather than identified
in naturally occurring groups.

Example:

1. The effect of positive reinforcement on one’s attitude to excel in school

2. The effect of peer counseling and support group on a student’s emotional condition

ACTIVITY 1
Directions: Answer the questions briefly. Write your answers on the space provided.

1. Define quantitative research.

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2. Explain at least two (2) characteristics of research.

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b. ___________________________________________________________________________
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 3. Explain at least two (2) strengths and weaknesses of quantitative research.

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b. ___________________________________________________________________________
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4. Explain the easiest and commonly used quantitative research.

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ACTIVITY 2

Directions: Let’s check how well do you know about research. Write your answers on the space
provided.

1. Most areas of quantitative study have to deal with processes that involve experimentations,
tests, and research. Mention at least two (2) types of quantitative research and discuss them
according to your understanding.

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2. Research in our daily life help us to understand various issues in life leading to a solution, in
what way does research helps you with knowledge to learn and discover new things?

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ACTIVITY 3
I -Directions: Complete each sentence by choosing the letter of the correct answer. Write your answer
in the space provided before each number.

_________1. Quantitative Research is the traditional, positivist _____which refers to a general set of
orderly, disciplined procedures to acquire information.

a. Scientific method

b. Numerical

c. Qualitative

d. Real facts

________2. In studying a phenomenon, quantitative researchers attempt to measure relevant factors

and variables by attaching _____that express quantity.

a. Numerical values

b. Inferential statistics

c. Mathematical formulas

d. Deductive reasoning

_______3. Quantitative Research utilizes _______reasoning to generate predictions that are tested in
the real world.

a. Inductive

b. Deductive

c. Inferential

d. Descriptive

______4. Quantitative research looks at the connections between variables and establishes
________relationships in highly controlled circumstances.

a. Inferential

b. Descriptive

c. Cause and Effect

d. Objective
______5. It uses ________ to generalize a finding.

a. Information

b. Statistics

c. Data base

d. Reliable sources

II-Directions: Write STRENGTH if it is an advantage when using quantitative research or write

WEAKNESSES if it’s not. Write your answers on the space provided.

_______________1. Personal biases can be avoided since personal interaction is not part of the research
process.

________________2. Processes involved are simplified since the steps in doing quantitative research are
made easy and systematic.

_______________3. Results can be reduced through statistical treatments and interpreted in a few
statements.

_______________4 Results are limited since they are usually based on the analysis of numbers and are
not obtained from detailed narratives.

_______________5. It provides less elaborate accounts of human perceptions.

III –Directions: Write down all the things that you have learned from this lesson. Write down all the
things that you were able to understand and the things you had difficulty in understanding.

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