Practical Research 2

Quarter 2 – Module 1:
Quantitative Research
Methodology
Practical Research 2
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 2 – Module 1: Quantitative Research Methodology
First Edition, 2020

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This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you master the Quantitative
Research Designs. The scope of this module permits it to be used in many different learning
situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are
arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be
changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. choose appropriate quantitative research design;

What I Know
Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.

1. Which of the following is the science that deals with the collection, tabulation or presentation,
analysis, and interpretation of numerical or quantitative data?
a. Accounting b. Research c. Statistics d. Taxonomy
2. In a quantitative research study, the researcher manipulates the ________ variable and
measures the changes in the ______ variable. Which pair of words will complete the statement
correctly?
a. dependent, independent c. population, sample
b. independent, dependent d. sample, population
3. A group of Grade 12 students is asking Grade 11 students to answer survey questionnaires
about the canteen facilities and services of a certain school. What are they doing?
a. Formulating a hypothesis. c. Observing and defining a problem.
b. Gathering and collecting data. d. Testing a hypothesis.
4. What would a group of students be doing if they are encoding the answers of the respondents
to a survey using Excel spreadsheets?
a. Defining a problem. c. Processing and organizing data.
b. Observing and collecting data. d. Testing a hypothesis.
5. Which of the following quantitative research designs is most appropriate for a study that
involves two or more experimental set-ups using different groups of test organism/respondents
in a field study?
a. Correlational Design c. Quasi-Experimental
b. Descriptive Survey d. True Experimental study

Lesson
Quantitative Research Designs
1
Source: (Prieto et al, 2017)

1.
Define
Researc
h 2.
7. Problem Review
Interpre
The
t And
Literatur
Report
e

6.
Analyze 3.
RESEARCH Formulate
And
Present PROCESS Hypothesi
s
Data

4.
5.
Design
Collect
Researc
Data
h
Source: (Prieto et al, 2017)
Figure 1 The Research Process that guides the researcher.

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In doing a research study, the researcher is guided by the Research Process. With Research being a
logical, scientific and objective activity, the diagram below shows the steps in doing Research. As a
researcher, you went through with the first three steps in the Research Process, fairly easy. But you
cannot proceed with steps 5, 6 and 7, unless you make a plan that includes the preparation of
materials needed for the study, the procedure in conducting the investigation, the actual data
collection, how measurements are to be taken and recorded, and procedure to test your hypothesis.
The last procedure will require knowledge in statistical techniques, which is why Statistics and
Probability is a prerequisite for Practical Research 2.

What’s In

In the last module, the Conceptual Framework you constructed allowed you to visualize how the
variables of your research study are related to each other by going through the process of reviewing
all the related literature relevant to your research problem. Before you proceed to the lessons of this
module, let us recall some major and important concepts about the Research Problem and the
Literature Review.
• Quantitative Research aims primarily to test theories. The conclusions of Quantitative research
rely on numerical data and the results of statistical treatment of the numerical data.
• The variables of quantitative research are categorized into: a) independent (cause), b)
dependent (effect), c) intervening or mediating, d) controlled or constant, and e) confounding
or extraneous variables.
• The Statement of the Problem consists of the Main or General Problem and the Specific
Questions. They should express completely the elements of the Research Problem namely: a)
subject matter, b) aim, c) population, d) period of study, and the e) place the research study is
conducted.
• The Conceptual Framework may be presented as a flow chart, map, diagram or a text showing
the different variables of a study and how they are related to each other. This framework also
expresses how the researcher plans the whole research study.
• The Hypothesis is nullified or accepted after using appropriate statistical treatment to test it.
• The Conceptual Framework and the Hypotheses are the results of an exhaustive,
comprehensive and relevant Review of Related Literature.
• The Literature Review should provide all the important inputs a researcher needs so
as to help the researcher design a complete, justifiable, doable, and attainable
Quantitative Research Methodology.

What’s New
Research Methodology
According to the University of Witwatersrand (2020), research methodology is the set of specific
procedures or techniques planned for the purpose of identifying, collecting, selecting, processing and
analyzing information and data about the research problem. In a research study, the overall validity
and reliability of the results are evaluated through the methodology section. The methodology section
allows the researcher to answer two main questions: How was the numerical data collected or
gathered? How was the numerical data analyzed?
Generally, the Quantitative Research Methodology consists of the following sections:
• Research Design
• Description of the Participant/ Population
• Sampling Technique
• Development of the Research Instrument/ Instrumentation
• Data Gathering Procedure
• Statistical Treatment of Data
However, for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) strand under the
Academic track follow a different format for the sections of their Methodology.

1. Research Method 3. Data Gathering Procedure

2. Materials and Procedure 4. Statistical Treatment of Data
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This module will help you learn about all these sections of the Quantitative Research Methodology.
So let us start.

Quantitative Research Designs

A research design is an overall strategy made up of connected parts or components that need to
work or function together in order to obtain the much needed data or results for the investigation of
the researcher. It is similar to a package of a particular product. The product has a general purpose
but it has specific details in order to perform specific functions as needed by the user. For example,
is a printer. The printer in the package or box has a general purpose of printing written materials.
But based on the different users’ needs, the printer in the package may not only be for printing but
also for scanning documents, copying documents, and connecting to any other Bluetooth devices
because of its Wi Fi capabilities, as needed by the user. A research design needs to be appropriate to
the researcher’s objectives.

According to Caintic and Cruz (2008), the elements of the research problem have to be considered in
planning for the appropriate research design. The activity below may help you understand the
elements of the research problem.
Activity 1.
Match the items in Column A with the items in Column B and Column C. Write your answers on
a separate sheet of paper.

A B C D
Question Element Example Parts of the
Methodology
A. What is your ____ 1. Aim of the ___ 7. Focus of the Research
study about? study study, cause of design
problem
B. Why are you ____ 2.Means of ___ 8. Group or groups Research
conducting the gathering data of organisms, design
study? objects or people
C. When is the ___ 3. Place the ___ 9. Questionnaire, Procedure
study study will be laboratory test,
conducted? conducted product testing,
D. Where is the ___ 4. Population/ ___10. School, Procedure
study subject/partici laboratory, home
conducted? pant/ sample workplace, field
E. From ___ 5. Subject matter ___11. Solution to a Description
whom/what of the study problem/issue of the
will the data be effects, rototype participants
gathered? of a product, /sample
F. How will the ___ 6. Time needed ___12. Week, Month Data
data be to conduct the and date of the gathering
gathered? study year procedure

What is It

The research design guides the researcher in the conduct of the investigation. It justifies the cost as
well as the relevance of the data needed, which in turn validates the significance of the statistical
treatment of data.

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Principles of a Research Design
According to Caintic and Cruz (2008), research designs follow four basic principles.
Replication. This principle is applied when the researcher decides how many
subjects/participants or groups of subjects/participants he needs in his investigation because the
experiment should be repeated several times or applied to more cases or groups of
samples/subjects/participants. This principle helps to see the relevance of observed differences and
makes statistical tests significant. This is similar to making several carbon copies of a document from
the same printer, if there are errors in the duplicated copies, the source of the error should be
investigated.
Local Control. Larger number of samples are ideal, but putting the samples into groups for
replication should ensure homogeneity or making sure that the members in each group of samples
or subjects are almost similar to each member. This principle help ensure that the expected results
may be caused by the variable or factor being investigated. So, applying to the example given above,
local control would mean making the same number of copies of the same document if you want to
compare the copies from a different printer.
Randomization. When the researcher applies sampling of cases/ subjects/ participants from
the population and assigning these cases/ subjects/ participants to groups and treatments, there
should not be any biases involved. Randomization assures objectivity and renders the validity of the
statistical tests. Let us say you have 100 pieces of letter-sized bond paper. The plan is to use 50 pieces
of the bond paper to printer 1 and the other 50 pieces to printer 2. But which of the 100 pieces of
paper will go to printer 1 and which papers will go to printer 2? One randomized way to decide on
this is to make a toss coin method: odd placed papers will be used for printer 1 if the “head” appears
and even placed papers will be used for printer 2 if the “tail” side of the coin appears.
Control of Extraneous Variables. In any research investigation, some variables will always
affect the variable that the researcher is investigating. These are called extraneous or outside
variables. This principle should always be part of the planning for the procedures of an investigation.
For the example above, you have to be sure that the only difference in the set-up of the document-
copying experiment is the printers. The papers used should be of the same type, same size, same
brand, from the same rim of bond papers and the area of the printing is just in one place, same date,
same time, and same procedure. These factors are called constant or controlled variables. If these
factors will not be controlled, then they might affect your expected results or your data.
Types of Quantitative Research Designs

QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

DESCRIPTIVE CAUSAL-
EXPERIMENTAL
COMPARATIVE

Survey Pre- True Quasi-

Ex-Post Facto
Experimental Experimental Experimental
Correlational One Shot Case Time Series
Pretest-Posttest
Study Experiment
Control group
Observational One-Group
Pretest-Posttest Counter
Solomon Four Balanced
Design Group Design
Comparative Design
Static Group
Posttest-Only NonEquivalent
Comparison
Developmental Control Group Control Group
Design Design
Evaluation Factorial Design

Trend Analysis
Source: (Prieto, et al, 2017), (Leedy, Paul D. and Jeanne Ellis Ormrod, 2001), (Sevilla, et al, 2001)

Figure 2 The different types and some subtypes of Quantitative Research Designs.
The choice of research design to use for your study depends on the general research problem and the
specific questions (refer to the Statement of the Problem section). Let us study them one-by-one.
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH DESIGNS. If your research problem deals with investigating the present
situations or conditions without causing any change in any of the variables surrounding the
situations or conditions being studied, then this type should be used. The researcher aims to study
the current state of the condition or problem and explore the reasons or causes of that particular
condition under study. The choice of which specific type of descriptive research design you will use

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is dependent on your specific questions. You may refer to your Literature Review to help you choose
from the following types.
Survey. This type helps the researcher obtain a sufficient amount of data from a large number
of samples or participants in a short period of time. Survey studies focus on real-time, present data
to be used to solve problems like changing strategies, analyzing reasons for trending and changing
preferences for products and services, improving practices and protocols. It does not deal with
investigating the relationship between variables involved in the study. Local control and control of
extraneous variables are dependent on the limitations of your specific questions. Generally, it is
widely used because of the different ways that survey can be conducted; from face-to-face, regular
mail, email, online and other means.
Correlational Studies. If your research problem aims to establish the existence and the extent
of the relationship between the different variables involved in the investigation, this type of research
design is what you need. The variables you need to correlate will determine the extent of extraneous
variables to be controlled. Correlational studies could be:
Bivariate (two variables). For example, is the height of people related to their weight?
Predictive (if the nature of a variable could be predicted by measuring another variable). Will
changes in people’s height also cause change in their weight?
Multiple Regression (if a variable could be determined or predicted by more than one other
variable). What if weight is not only affected by height but also people’s age, food consumption,
physical activities, mental activities, and heredity?
Observational Studies. There are times when a research study requires the measurement of
behavior, which can only be recorded, or observed by researcher or other participants from afar. If
observational studies are done in the natural setting, randomization and control of extraneous
variables could be challenging for this type of research. For example, how many people who dine in a
fast food restaurant will queue in line, talk while eating, or clear their tables after eating?
Comparative Studies. When an investigation requires comparing and contrasting the
occurrence or nature of two or more variables on samples or subjects (may be of different locations
or grade or status) on the same time or period, this design may be useful. For example, how do local
government units (two or more cities/provinces and NCR) respond to a particular calamity (typhoon
Ambo), health problem (COVID19 pandemic), and educational needs of their learners for the
upcoming school year 2020-2021?
Developmental Studies. This type of study requires considerable period of time because it is
usually used for investigations that involve the psychological, intellectual and emotional growth of
individuals (Sevilla, et al, 2001). Examples of studies may include the physical structures of grade
school buildings, the curriculum offering, parental styles, learning materials, online learning
applications or the use of mobile phones by children.
Evaluation Studies. This type of study is conducted for the purpose of getting feedback for
programs, projects or policies implemented by an institution. Evaluation studies are important for
decision-making on monitoring, improvement, continuation or removal of the program under study.
This type of study may be:
Formative evaluation for ongoing programs (such as effectiveness of online learning
webinars) or
Summative evaluation for implemented programs (Immersion programs for Grade 12
students).
Trend Analysis. This is a type of descriptive research that may be considered predictive
because it aims to determine the status of a variable in the future. This type of study helps decision-
makers to come up with solutions to meet the possible problems and demands in the future.
Economic programs, health and wellness programs, educational innovations and technological
advancements are some areas that make use of trend analysis.
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH DESIGN. In the discussions of the types of this design, the following
terms need to be clarified:
Pretested (O1) means the variable under investigation was measured (observed) before any
treatment or intervention was applied to the samples or subjects.
Posttested (O2) means the variable under investigation was measured after a treatment or
intervention was applied to the samples or subjects.
Treatment (X) refers to an intervention, usually this is the independent variable that was
manipulated intentionally to cause change in the samples or subjects.
_ _ _ _ _ These broken underlines indicate the absence of randomization.
Pre-Experimental Studies. These designs are usually avoided because randomization is not
applied which threats the validity of the study.
One Shot Case Study. This study involves one group which is exposed to the treatment
and then posttested.
G: X_ _ _ _ O

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 One Group Pretest-Posttest Design. Involves one group which is pretested, exposed to
a treatment, and then posttested.
G: O1 _ _ _ _ _ X_ _ _ _ _O2
Static Group Comparison. Involves at least two groups, one group is exposed to the
treatment and both groups posttested. G1 is the experimental group while G2 is the control
group.
G1: X_ _ _ _ _ O2
G2: _ _ _ _ _ _ O2

True Experimental Studies. These types of studies require a control group and random
assignment of subjects to groups. The dependent variable is the effect of the manipulation of
the independent variable. R refers to randomized groups.
Posttest-Only Control Group Design. Involves at least two group. One group is
exposed to a treatment. Both groups are posttested.

R1: X 02
R2: 02
Pretest-Posttest with Control Group. This involves at least two groups, which are both
pretested. One group is not exposed to a treatment (control group) which the other group is
exposed to a treatment (experimental group). Both are posttested.

R1: 01 X 02
R2: 01 _ 02
Solomon Four Group Design. This design is said to be with the greatest validity. It
requires four groups. Groups 1 and 2 are pretested. Groups 3 and 4 are not pretested. Groups
1 and 3 are exposed to treatment (experimental), while groups 2 and 4 are not exposed to
treatment (control groups). All four groups are posttested.

R1: 01 X 02
R2: 01 02
R3: X 02
R4: 02

Factorial Design. This design combines the Pretest-Posttest Control Group Design and
the Posttest-Only Control Group Design and is intended to investigate more than one
independent variable. This design allows the researcher to investigate the interactions of
more than one independent variables and their effects on the dependent variable.

TYPES OF COFFEE DRINKERS

TREATMENT R1 R2 R3
Coffee only Coffee with sugar Coffee with sugar and cream
X1
X2
Quasi-Experimental Studies. This design is used for experimental studies usually in the field where
random assigning of subjects to different groups is not possible.

Time Series Experiment. This study is like a multiple One-Group Pretest-Posttest Design. The group
is pretest several times, exposed to treatment, then posttested as the number of times is was
pretested.
G1: 01_ _ _ 01_ _ _ 01_ _ _X_ _ _02_ _ _02_ _ _02

Counter Balanced Design. This design is also called the Rotation Design or the Latin Square Design.
It makes use of three classifications in its investigations, which are groups, treatments and
time. In this design, all the subjects are placed in different groups that exposed to all the
treatments in different times.

GROUP Day 1 Day 2 Day 3

A X1O2 X3O2 X2O2
B X2O2 X1O2 X3O2
C X3O2 X2O2 X1O2
Nonequivalent Control Group Design. This design is like the Pretest-Posttest Control

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 Group Design but the subjects are not randomly assigned to the different group. Educational,
social science and market research often use this design.
G1: 01_ _ _ X _ _ _ 02
G2 : 01_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 02

CAUSAL-COMPARATIVE DESIGNS
Ex-Post Facto. This type of research is used when the independent variable (cause) cannot be
manipulated because the dependent (effect) has already occurred. For example, investigating how
teenagers (current time) have the habit of saying profane words or smoking. The independent
variables related to these dependent variables (saying profanities and smoking) like sex, family’s
economic status, parenting habits and styles, and experiences in the past cannot be manipulated
anymore, but instead these causes and their differences in individuals or groups may be further be
explored.

What’s More
Activity 1.1 Understanding Quantitative Research Designs
Read and analyze the abstract below by answering the questions under Column A. Copy and
answer the activity on a separate sheet of paper.
Abstract 1:
In today’s world, many home builders work for alternatives for concrete blocks, and so this study
aimed at coming up with earth block composed of earth mud and 500 grams of strips of Number 2
capacity of PET bottles to enhance the quality of the earth block. The researcher made three samples of
concrete earth block with PET bottles and bought commercial earth blocks. The samples were tested by
dropping at a height of six (6) feet. Data was collected by recording the result of the drop, wherein the
result of the drop was rated from one (slightly damaged) to five (severely damaged). Since the statistical
analysis showed that there is a significant difference between concrete earth block with PET bottles
and commercial earth blocks in terms of the result of the drop testing, the researcher therefore concludes
that adding the PET bottle strips to concrete earth block can enhance the quality of the earth block.
Source: (Bruno, 2017)

A B
Question Answer
A. What was the study about?
B. Why was the study conducted?
C. From whom/what were the data gathered?
D. How were the data gathered?
E. How was replication applied?
F. How was local control applied?
G. How was randomization applied?
H. How were extraneous variables controlled?
I. What type of research design was
used?(descriptive, experimental or quasi-
experimental)
J. What specific kind of research study was
used?

What I Have Learned

Fill in the blank with the correct term. Write your answers on a separate piece of paper.
1. The ________________ is the researcher’s guide in conducting their research. It shows the step-
by-step procedures the researcher will perform in order to meet the objectives of the research.
2. The research methodology ensures validity and _______ of the research study.
3. The basic principles in choosing a research design are ________, _________, __________ and
___________.
4. There are basically three research designs: descriptive, experimental and quasi-experimental.
5. _____________ research designs are used when experiments are conducted on subjects or
samples that cannot be randomized or randomly assigned to groups.
6. _____________ research designs are used when the researcher aims to investigate research
variables in their presents nature and status.
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 7. _____________ research designs are appropriate for studies where the researcher needs to
manipulate the independent variable to determine their effects on research subjects or
samples.

What I Can Do

Complete the table below. Column A is a list of research problems. Determine the research design
most appropriate for each research problem in Column B. In Column C, specify the type of research
design. (Please refer to Figure 2.) Copy and complete the table on a separate piece of paper.

A B C
Research Problem Research Type of
Design Research
Design
Example: How do parents feel about the K to 12 Descriptive Survey
program implementation?
1. What is the antimicrobial effect of Cissus
sicyoides(Princess Vine) Adventitious Root
Ethanolic Extract on Escheria coli and Aspergillus
niger?
2. What are the basic computer skills of ABC Senior
High School Grade 11 and Grade 12 Students?
3. What are the effects of online marketing on the
sales of small and medium enterprises?

Assessment
Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.
1. Which element of the research problem also refers to the samples or subjects or cases or
participants?
a. Aim b. Focus c. Locale d. Universe

2. Which principle of research design refers to the grouping of subjects or participants based on
their similar characteristics?
a. Control of extraneous variables c. Replication
b. Local control d. Randomization

3. Which of the following guides a researcher with logical and step-by-step procedures in
conducting an investigation?
a. Hypothesis c. Research methodology
b. Research design d. Conceptual framework

4. Chris would like to study the difference in the sales of his friends doing online selling with his
other friends doing direct selling. Which type of research design should he use?
a. Survey c. Comparative studies
b. Correlation studies d. Posttest only with control group studies

5. Maila plans to design a prototype ball cap that is also a solar charger. Which research design
will her test the performance of her proposed project?
a. Evaluation study c. One Shot case study
b. Factorial design d. Pretest-posttest with control group design