Activity 4

1. What is quantitative research?

Quantitative research is a systematic analysis of phenomena using measurable
data and statistical or mathematical techniques. It simply means that it deals with
collecting numerical data. Also, it gathers data through sampling methods, online
surveys, polls, questionnaires and any other approaches.
2. What are the main characteristics of quantitative research?
The first main characteristic is it contains measurable variables. Some of the
variables it this research are related to age, number of children, economic status and
even educational status. The second one is it uses standardized research instruments.
These standardized research instruments are poll, questionnaires and survey. The third
one is it uses statistics to generalize findings. The fourth one is it presents data in
tables, graphs or figures which helps the researchers or clients understand it easily and
better. The fifth one is it uses repeatable method. Through this, researchers can repeat
their quantitative method to verify or confirm the findings in another setting. This also
strengthens the validity of findings, eliminating the possibility of false or incorrect
conclusions. The sixth is it assumes that the sample is representative of a population.
The last one is it can predict outcomes. Outcomes can be predicted using quantitative
models or formulas obtained from data analysis.
3. What are the goals of quantitative research?
Goals of quantitative research is collect numerical data from a group of people
then generalize those results to a larger group of people to explain a phenomenon,
replication and generalization of findings to those not yet studied.
4. What are the different quantitative research methods?
The different quantitative research methods are:
1. Survey research - This is used to ask questions to a sample of respondents,
using various types such as online polls, online surveys and paper
questionnaires. It has two types, cross-sectional surveys and longitudinal
surveys.
2. Correlational research - This is conducted to establish a relationship between
two variables or more and how one impacts the other and what are the changes
that are eventually observed.
3. Causal-comparative research - It is called quasi-experimental research. This is
used by researchers to conclude the cause-effect equation between two or more
variables, where one variable is dependent on the other independent variable.
4. Experimental research - Also known as true experimentation and is usually
based on one or more theories. 
5. Identify the ADVANTAGES and DISADVANTAGES of quantitative research.
Advantages of quantitative research
1. Doesn’t require direct observation to be useful. Since you can just give surveys to
individuals without the need to have someone in the room while they provide answers.
Which also creates a better response rate because people have more time and less
pressure to complete the work.
2. Can collect information quickly. Because experiments, surveys, and interviews
provide immediate answers.
3. Results are reliable since the study uses big sample of population.
4. It allows researcher to measure and analyze data to arrive at an objective answer to
the problem stated.
5. Personal biases can be avoided since personal interactions is not part of the process.
6. Processes involved are simplified since the steps in doing quantitative research are
easy and systematic.
Disadvantages of quantitative research
1. Fixed answers may not be necessarily reflect the true answers of the participants.
2. Can be expensive. Especially in printing of questionnaires or surveys.
3. Doesn’t consider the meaning behind social phenomena. Since it only focuses in
finding answers to specific questions so that a particular hypothesis can be proven or
disproven.
4. When experimental research was used, the level of control might not be normally
placed in real world since it is usually done in laboratories.
5. Results are limited since they are usually based on the analysis of numbers and not
obtained from detailed narratives.