WEEKLY LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS

Practical Research 2 Quarter 2 Week 1

Nature of Inquiry and Research (Quantitative Research)

Name: ___________________________________________ Section: ____________________

Learning Objective:

● Describes characteristics, strengths, weaknesses, and kinds of quantitative

research (CS_RS12-Ia-c-1)
● 1 week

Key Concepts

Nature of Inquiry and Research

● Inquiry is term synonymous with the word “investigation”. When you inquire or
investigate, you tend to ask questions to probe or examine something (HOTS
questions).

● Research is a scientific, experimental, or inductive manner of thinking, starting

from particular to more complex ideas, execute varied thinking acts that range
from lower order to higher order thinking strategies reflected by the steps in the
research process.

Definition of Terms (taken from Franje et al, Module for Practical Research 2)

Experimental design - A research design that allows the researcher to control the
situation and identifies the cause and effect relationship between variables. (Prieto et
al., 2017).

Inquiry - It is synonymous to the term ‘investigation’ that when you inquire or

investigate, you tend to ask questions to probe or examine something (Baraceros,
2016).

Non-experimental - A research design that is sometimes equated with survey

research and is very common in the social sciences (Mujis, 2004).

Numerical data - It pertains to a number or symbol to express how many; how much
or what rank things are to have in this world. (Baraceros, 2016).

Quantitative research - A type of research that makes you focus your mind by
means of statistics that involve collection and study of numerical data (Baraceros,

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 2016).

Research - A scientific, experimental, or inductive manner of thinking (Baraceros,

2016)

Research hypothesis - It is a tentative explanation that accounts for a set of facts

and can be tested by further investigation.

Research title - This summarizes the main idea or ideas of your study. It condenses
the paper’s main ideas/ideas into few words.

Variable - It is a characteristic or attribute of interest in the research study that can

take on different values and is not constant.

Quantitative research – Uses quantities and numbers (scores, ratings, frequencies,

percentages, prices) to denote particular thing - makes you focus your mind by means
of statistics that involve collection and study of numerical data (Baraceros, 2016).
Numerical data is pertaining to a number or symbol to express how many, how much
or what rank things are to have in this world. Quantitative research systematically
and objectively generates information on events or concepts (Figure 1).

QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

Hypothesis testing
Measurable

Number/Symbol

Figure 1. Description of Quantitative Research Method

Characteristics of Quantitative Research

● Antwi and Hamza (2015) stated that quantitative research approach primarily
follows the confirmatory scientific method because its focus is on hypothesis
testing and theory testing. A hypothesis is an assumption, a statement
predicting how variables relate to each other and that can be tested to see if it
might be true through research. A theory is an account of social reality that is
grounded in data but extends beyond that data (Adler & Clark, 2011; Leavy,
2017).

● According to Leavy (2017) quantitative research is characterized by deductive

approaches to the research process aimed at proving, disproving, or lending
credence to existing theories. Quantitative research values breadth, statistical
descriptions, and generalizability. Quantitative approaches to research center
on achieving objectivity, control, and precise measurement. The following are
the standards or criteria of quantitative research (Baraceros, 2016).

Strengths and Weaknesses of Quantitative Research

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 ● Prieto et. al (2017) identified the strengths and weaknesses of qualitative
research as summarized in the table below:

Strengths Weaknesses
Precision of numbers Inadequacy of numbers fot total
picture and depth of analysis
Level of significance (Statistical) can Less than 100% accuracy in
be determines – that results are not sampling, instrument construction
due to chance alone and administration.
Sample is less prone to sampling Assumptions in statistical methods
bias
Error can be computed, e.g,
sampling error

Addresing Weaknesses of Quantitative Research

● Rigor in doing quantitative research procedures must observe.
● Addition of qualitative analysis using quotes of subjects (persons from whom
data are collected) to support statistical results.

Kinds of Quantitative Research

1. Experimental Research

● Experiments in research came to mean “taking a deliberate action

followed by systematic observation” (Shadish, Cook, & Campbell, 2002,
Leavy, 2017). Experiments are used in explanatory research and are
based on causal logic (or cause-and-effect logic). This logic looks at
identifying causal relationships between variables (e.g., A causes X or A
causes X under Y circumstance). Leavy (2017) stated that there are
necessary conditions in order to support the presence of a causal
relationship. Mujis (2004) further stated that experimental method is a
test under controlled conditions that is made to demonstrate a known
truth or examine the validity of a hypothesis.

● Edmonds and Kennedy (2017) defined hypotheses as simply predictions

the researcher posits as to the direction a relationship will manifest
between two or more variables. It is purely statistical terminology that is
thus tested with statistics. In experimental research, there are two
distinct types of hypotheses: the alternative hypothesis (HA) and the null
hypothesis (Ho). The alternative hypothesis (HA) is the one we want to be
true, while the null hypothesis (Ho) is the opposite (Mujis, 2004).

a. Pre-experimental designs are focused on studying a single group

that is given the experimental intervention (experimental groups
only).
b. True experimental designs (also called classical experiments) are
based on randomization. Research subjects are randomly
assigned to control and experimental groups. Because both
randomization and control groups are used, true experiments are

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 considered the strongest form of experiments.
c. Quasi-experimental designs involve taking advantage of natural
settings or groups, and thus subjects are not randomly assigned.

2. Non-experimental Research
● According to Baraceros (2016), non-experimental research is a way of
finding out the truths about a subject by describing the collected data
about such subject and determining their relationships or connections
with one another. It cannot establish cause-effect relationships. Leavy
(2017) stated that while validity is still a concern in non-experimental
research, the concerns are more about the validity of the measurements,
rather than the validity of the effects.

a. Survey research is the most widely used quantitative design in the

social sciences. Common uses of survey research with which you
are probably familiar include the census, polling on political
issues or public opinions, and market research (Leavy, 2017).
Surveys are commonly used to observe attitudes, trends, or
opinions of the population of interest. Participants are usually
selected from the population to discover the relative incidence,
distribution, and interrelations of DRAFT 10 educational,
sociological, behavioral, or psychological variables. Thus, it can be
classified as quantitative and is often considered a variant of the
observational approach.
b. Descriptive or observational studies because the researcher
observes or describes what the subjects report and do not
intervene with a treatment (Patten and Newhart, 2017)
c. Correlational research (Prieto et al., 2017) - has three types: ∙
Bivariate correlational studies- obtain scores from two variables
from each subject and use them to calculate a correlation
coefficient. Correlation means variables are selected because they
are believed to be related. Examples:
1. Ice cream sales go up (variable 1) if the temperature is
high (variable 2). (Positive correlation)
2. Crime in the community increases (variable 1) as the
number of police personnel decreases (variable 2). (Negative
correlation)
3. Increase ice cream sales are not correlated to crime
increase in the community. (Zero correlation)
∙ Prediction studies- the correlation coefficient to show how one
variable predicts another. Example: National Achievement Test (NAT) scores
in Grade 12 are used to predict students’ scores in college entrance exam.
∙ Multiple Regression Prediction Studies- these make it possible to
combine the variables that can contribute to the over-all prediction in an
equation that adds together the predictive of each identified variable.

Importance of Practical Research

● Helps solve recurring, long-term real-life problem, not emergencies
● Provides data for better understanding of real-life concerns and issues,
individual or group (community, national, international).

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 ● Makes recommendations to improve existing situations or realities.

Exercises / Activities

Activity 1.1 Determine whether inquiry or research is a applicable to the given

Apply Now! situation: Write N/A if not applicable and A if applicable.

1. A person wants to know the occupant of one condominium.

2. A student wants to know the medical effects of Guava leaves.
3. Mr. Cruz wants to know the technique to make his electric fan
function instantly.
4. Professor Gomez wants to discover the impact of social networking on
his students’s learning abilities.
5. A businessman wants to find out which between these two marketing
strategies: free-tasting and attractive packaging could increase daily
sales.
Activity 1.2 Identify Me. Direction: Check ( ) the space provided before the number if
IDENTIFY the statement describes the characteristics of a Quantitative Research.
ME
Quantitative research can be based on replication and duplication (e.g.,
______1.
replicating a previously conducted study with new populations).

In quantitative research, a sample needs to be large enough to adequately

______2.
represent the population.

Quantitative research includes interview data that may be described in a

______3.
narrative that points out themes and trends.

Quantitative research value the depth of meaning and people’s subjective

experiences and their meaning-making processes.
______4.

Activity 2: Directions: Classify the following of word/group that is inside the box if it is
Let’s Meet strength or weakness of quantitative research.
Them

Precise Assumptions in statistical methods

Uses statistical tool Error can be computed

Less prone to sampling bias Less than 100% Accuracy

Inadequacy of Numbers

strength weakness

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 Activity 3: 1. Based on the lesson, I have realized that Quantitative research is
This is Me ___________________________________________________________________
Now ___________________________________________________________________.
2. Based on the lesson, I realized that Variables are
________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________. These
variables are of two basic types namely ___________________________and
_________________________. I also noticed that there are also other variables
you may encounter in your research study such as:
____________________________, ______________________,
______________________, ___________________,_ ______________________,
_____________________, _____________________ Furthermore, I learned that
among the variables; quantitative variables are those
__________________________________________________________________.
Evaluation Since you have mastered the concepts of quantitative research, you
QUIZ shall now apply the things you have learned. Please carefully read the
details and do what is asked below. What Have I Learned What I Can Do
DRAFT 16 Observe your school, the community or your home? Identify
possible problem that is present in your observation and practice solving
the problem by filling in the blank. Make it more numerical in nature using
the terms frequencies, number of times, how often, etc.
a. What is the observation? _______________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________.
b. What is the problem? _________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________.
c. Provide three (3) possible solutions to solve the problem?
Solution 1: _________________________________________________________.
Solution 2: _________________________________________________________.
Solution 3: _________________________________________________________.
d. What are the possible results of the three (3) possible solutions?
Result # 1: ___________________________________________________.
Result # 2: ___________________________________________________.

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 Result # 3: ____________________________________________________.
e. Which among the solutions has the best result and why?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________.

Reflection

1. I observe ……….
2.I realize …………….

3. I understand …………

References for learners:

Allen, Mike The SAGE Encyclopedia of Communication Research Methods. 4 vols.

Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc, 2017. doi: 10.4135/9781483381411.
Akanoh, Chika. How to Write the Scope of Study Outlining its Salient Features. African
Press, October 15, 2015. https://afribary.com/blog/656/how-towrite-the-scope-of-
study-outlining-its-salient-features/

Baraceros, Esther Practical Research 2. Manila, Philippines. Rex Book Store, Inc, 2016.
Bryman, Alan. Social research methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012.

Bwisa, Henry. The basics of writing a statement of the problem for your research
proposal. May 15, 2018. https://doi.org/10.34193/EI-A-5275

Carr, Linda “The strengths and weaknesses of quantitative and qualitative research:
What method for nursing?” Journal of Advanced Nursing, 20(4), 716-721, 1994
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2648.1994.20040716.x

Connolly, Paul. Quantitative data analysis in education: A critical introduction using

SPSS. London & New York, NY: Routledge, 2007. Creswell, John W. Research design:
qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Sage
Publications. 2003.

Denzin, Norman K., & Lincoln, Yvonna S. The landscape of qualitative research: Theories
and issues. London:SAGE Publications. 1998.

Edmonds,W.Alex and Kennedy, Tom D. An Applied Guide to Research Designs

Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods. Second Edition. Los Angeles:SAGE
Publications. 2017.

Leavy, Patricia. Research Design: Quantitative, Qualitative, Mixed Methods, Arts- Based,
and Community-Based Participatory Research Approaches. The Guilford Press, New
York. 2017.

Author: Reviewers: 1.
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McCombes, Shona. How to write a problem statement. April 15, 2019,
https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/problem-statement/

McMillan, James H., and Schumacher, Sally. Research in Education. Boston: Pearson
Education.2016.

Patten, Mildred. L. and Newhart, Michelle. Understanding Research Methods : An

Overview Of The Essentials.10th ed.

Taylor and Francis. 2017. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315213033

Prieto, Nelia. G., Naval Victoria C. and Carey, Teresita G. Practical Research 2 for Senior
High School. Manila, Philippines. LORIMAR Publishing, Inc. 2017.

Potane, Joel D. Practical Research 2: Quantitative Research. Regional Training of

Trainers. October 8-30, 2017, Cagayan de Oro City. 2017.

Answer Key

Activity 1.1 Activity 1.2

1. NA 1.
2. A 2.
3. A 3.
4. A 4.
5. A
Activity 2

Strength Weakness

1. Precise 1. Inadequacy of Numbers

2. Uses statistical tool 2. Less than 100% accuracy
3. Less prone to sampling bias 3. Assumptions in Statistical
4. Error can be computed methods

Prepared by:

JONDIE MARK AUTENTICO

Trackhead
Lumbocan NHS

Reviewed and Checked by:

RODEL B. PASION, Ph.D

Trackhead

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 Tungao National High School

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