Activity 5

Res 111

Read about the Critical Appraisals of research paper especially Quantitative Research.
Cite the different features that must be evaluated in quantitative research. Explain shortly
each based on your understanding of the different readings. Please cite at the bottom of
your response the different references that you used in APA form. (30 pts)

Deductive

A deductive approach is concerned with “developing a hypothesis (or hypotheses)

based on existing theory, and then designing a research strategy to test the

hypothesis”

Wilson, J. (2010) “Essentials of Business Research: A Guide to Doing Your

Research Project” SAGE Publications, p.7

Studies known phenomena

Quantitative Research is used by social scientists, including communication

researchers, to observe phenomena or occurrences affecting individuals. Social

scientists are concerned with the study of people. Quantitative research is a way to

learn about a particular group of people, known as a sample population.

Allen, M. (2017). The SAGE encyclopedia of communication research

methods (Vols. 1-4). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc doi:

10.4135/9781483381411
 Testing of hypotheses

Conducted in controlled settings

Quantitative research deals in numbers, logic, and an objective stance. Quantitative

research focuses on numeric and unchanging data and detailed, convergent reasoning

rather than divergent reasoning [i.e., the generation of a variety of ideas about a research

problem in a spontaneous, free-flowing manner].

Babbie, Earl R. (2010) The Practice of Social Research. 12th ed. Belmont, CA:

Wadsworth Cengage

Larger number of subjects

The study may include a sample population of hundreds or thousands of subjects to

ensure that a valid estimate of a generalized relationship between variables has been

obtained.

Black, Thomas R. (1999) Doing Quantitative Research in the Social Sciences: An

Integrated Approach to Research Design, Measurement and Statistics

Standardized numerical data collection

Quantitative research can be described as ‘entailing the collection of numerical data

and exhibiting the view of relationship between theory and research as deductive, a

predilection for natural science approach, and as having an objectivist conception of

social reality

Bryman, A. & Bell, E. (2015) “Research Methods” 4th edition, p.160

 Data gathered first, the analyzed

It uses non-measurable sources of data and relies mostly on observation techniques to

gain insights. It is mostly used to answer questions beginning with “why?” and how?”.

Catherina, C. (2020) “Best data collection for Quantitative research” Journal

Explore outcomes due to treatments, manipulations and outcomes

Quantitative research can be described as ‘entailing the collection of numerical data

and exhibiting the view of relationship between theory and research as deductive, a

predilection for natural science approach, and as having an objectivist conception of

social reality.

Bryman, A. & Bell, E. (2015) “ Research Methods” 4th edition, p.160