RM 201 QUANTITATIVE METHODS OF RESEARCH

Reference: Coursepack on RM201

Exercise No. 13

Lesson 8 Quantitative Methods

Article 1: Bell, B. A., DiStefano, C., & Morgan, G. B. (2010). A primer on disseminating applied
quantitative research. Journal of Early Intervention, 32(5), 370-383.

Summary: A primary principle of scientific inquiry is that of testing ideas in the public arena.
Thus, after performing studies, researchers “ought,” in the philosophical sense, to share their
findings with the broader scientific community. In this regard, investigators need to focus on
two essential elements for disseminating research findings—transparency and replication—
because they are fundamental for any effective scientific process.

Questions to Consider

1. Transparency can lead to replication. How transparent is your quantitative

methodology?
2. Creswell discussed the importance of organizing your approach for either an
experimental or survey study. Using this article first seven recommendations and
Creswell’s checklist, begin to add the “detail, detail, detail” necessary to add
transparency to your proposal.

Article 2: Frias, S. M., & Angel, R. J. (2012). Beyond borders: Comparative quantitative research
on partner violence in the United States and Mexico. Violence Against Women, 18(1), 5-29.

Summary: In this analysis we examine the phenomenon of domestic violence among poor
Mexican-origin women in the United States and Mexico to illustrate the pervasiveness of the
phenomenon as well as to illustrate the complexities involved in conducting cross-national
research and interpreting survey data on the extent and nature of partner abuse collected in
different cultural, social, and political contexts. One of the main challenges faced by researchers
conducting comparative quantitative international studies of partner violence, or any other
socially conditioned phenomenon, is the development of comparable theoretical definitions as
well as measurement tools that permit meaningful comparisons.

Questions to Consider

1. What type of quantitative experimental design was used in this article?

2. Creswell discussed recognizing threats to validity. Did you find any in this article? Does
your methodology have any internal or external threats?