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1st Semester – Module 1

WEEK 1

SDO Taguig City


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and Pateros
Introductory Message

For the facilitator:

This module was collaboratively designed, developed and evaluated by the Development and
Quality Assurance Teams of SDO TAPAT to assist you in helping the learners meet the
standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum while overcoming their personal, social, and economic
constraints in schooling.

As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module. You also
need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to manage their own learning.
Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist the learners as they do the tasks
included in the module.

For the learner:

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities for guided
and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be enabled to process the
contents of the learning resource while being an active learner.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of the module.
Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer Let’s Try before moving on to the other activities included in the
module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to
consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and gain deep
understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

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Let’s Learn

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you master
the nature of research. 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.

This module is all about:


 Lesson 1 – Introduction to Quantitative Research
o Characteristics of Quantitative Research
o Strengths and Weaknesses of Quantitative Research

After going through this module, you are expected to:


1. Define quantitative research
2. Identify the characteristics of a good quantitative research
3. Enumerate the strengths and weaknesses of Quantitative Research

Let’s Try

Directions: Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if it is not. Write your answer
before the number.
__________1. Quantitative data can help you see the big picture.
__________2. Quantitative research helps you gather detailed information on a topic.
__________3. Quantitative research will get you numbers that you can apply statistical
analysis to in order to validate your hypotheses.
__________4. Qualitative research usually has more respondents than Quantitative research
because it is easier to conduct a multiple-choice survey than a series of
interviews or focus groups.
__________5. The sample size used in quantitative research represents the whole target
market.
__________6. Open-ended question’s answers are more specific and right to the question
than the close-ended questions.
__________7. Structural research methods like questionnaires, polls, and surveys are used
to conduct quantitative research.
__________8. Quantitative research allows for greater objectivity and accuracy of results.
__________9. The outcome of quantitative research is easy to understand and explain.

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__________10. The outcome of quantitative research is always in numerical form.
__________11. The outcome of quantitative research can be generalized easily for the whole
population.
__________12. Quantitative research results are limited as they provide numerical
descriptions rather than detailed narrative and generally provide less
elaborate accounts of human perception.
__________13. The outcome of quantitative research cannot be used for a previous study of
another research.
__________14. The outcome of quantitative research methods is quite reliable, as
participants of the research face open-ended questions.
__________15. Quantitative research is conducted on a large sample of the population.

Lesson
Introduction to Quantitative
1 Research
Research is an important part of our life. Without research, the things that we use
today, such as our phones and televisions – would not be made. In this lesson, you are to
learn more about Quantitative Research.

Let’s Recall
Directions: Complete the table below by comparing Qualitative and Quantitative Research.
Choose your answers below.

Comparing Qualitative vs Quantitative Research

Qualitative Research Research Aspect Quantitative Research


Common Purpose

Approach

Data Collection Approach

Research Independence

Samples

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 Measure and Test
 Observe and Interpret
 Unstructured (Free form)
 Test hypotheses or Specific Questions
 Small samples – often in natural setting.
 Structured Response Categories Provided
 Discover ideas, with general research objects
 Large samples to produce generalizable results
 Researcher involved observer. Results are objective.
 Research in intimately involved. Results are subjective.
 When to use qualitative vs. quantitative research

Let’s Explore
When to use Qualitative vs. Quantitative research
Quantitative data can help you see the big picture. Qualitative data adds the details
and can also give a human voice to your survey results.
Let’s see how to use each method in a research project.

Formulating hypotheses: Qualitative research helps you gather detailed information on a


topic. You can use it to initiate your research by discovering the problems or opportunities
people are thinking about. Those ideas can become hypotheses to be proven through
quantitative research.

Validating your hypotheses: Quantitative research will get you numbers that you can apply
statistical analysis to in order to validate your hypotheses. Was that problem real or just
someone’s perception? The hard facts obtained will enable you to make decisions based on
objective observations.

Finding general answers: Quantitative research usually has more respondents than
qualitative research because it is easier to conduct a multiple-choice survey than a series of
interviews or focus groups. Therefore, it can help you definitely answer broad questions like:
Do people prefer you to your competitors? Which of your company’s services are most
important? What ad is most appealing?

Incorporating the human element: Qualitative research can also help in the final stages of
your project. The quotes you obtained from open-ended questions can put a human voice to
the objective numbers and trends in your results. Many times it helps to hear your customers
describe your company in their own words to uncover your blind spots. Qualitative data will
get you that.

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Let’s Elaborate

Characteristics of Quantitative Research

1. Large Sample Size


The first and foremost characteristic of quantitative research is the large sample size
to conduct research. Quantitative research is done on a large number of audiences to ensure
reliability. The sample size used in quantitative research represents the whole target market.

2. Structured Research Methods


Structural research methods like questionnaires, polls, and surveys are used to
conduct quantitative research. In-depth information about the preferences of the audience can
be drawn using these structured research methods.
Moreover, with the help of the Internet and social media, it is effortless to reach the
vast population irrespective of geographical boundaries. You can pay to run your Survey ad
on various social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, etc. and can collect the
opinion of a large population.
In addition to this, these research methods are easy to conduct through offline means.
Also, a participant is only required to fill out the questionnaire and is not required to be part of
the research process for a long time.

3. Highly Reliable Outcome


The outcome of quantitative research methods is quite reliable, as participants of the
research face close-ended questions. Therefore, there are fewer chances of getting vague
information or wrong information from the participants.
Quantitative research methods are used for industrial research purposes because of
its reliability. Moreover, the outcome of quantitative research is easy to understand and
explain.
The researchers present the outcome of the research to get the approval of the
management, and management can understand this information quickly because it is
represented in the form of tables and graphs.

4. Reusable Outcome
Another characteristic of quantitative research is that the outcome of quantitative
research can be used multiple times. Data collected for one research purpose can be used for
the prior study of another research problem.
Sometimes, researchers make the use of the outcome of research for similar research
problems, which reduces the expense and time required for conducting research. For
example, if you have researched how much money a man will be willing to pay to buy an
electronic gadget.
You can use the output of the previous study to get a reliable answer to the research
problem of how much a man will be willing to pay to buy an earphone. In this way, the outcome
of the previous research problem is used to support the output of new but related research
problems.

5. Close-ended questions
Another characteristic of quantitative research is close-ended questions. Close-ended
question’s answers are more specific and right to the question than the open-ended questions.
Responses to open-ended questions are more detailed and scattered, and it requires real
skills to pick out the answers that you need.

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Moreover, responses to Close-ended questions are more reliable than the answers to
questions of open-ended questions. In addition to this, people also prefer to answer close-
ended questions than open-ended questions for various reasons. The followings are a few
examples of close-ended questions.
 How often do you shop online?
 How often do you pay for the subscription of a mobile app?
 How much are you ready to pay to buy a women’s health magazine?
The answer to the above questions would be in numerical form, which can be used to
derive meaningful conclusions.

6. Numerical Outcome
The outcome of quantitative research is always in numerical form. For example, the
result of research can be represented in percentage, range of numbers.
A numerical output is easy to read and understand, and it is easy to deduce a
conclusion from the numerical outcome than a detailed result.

7. Generalization of Outcome
The outcome of quantitative research can be generalized easily for the whole
population. The reason behind this is that quantitative research is conducted on a large sample
of the population.
A decision can be taken for the entire population based on the outcome of the sample
population.

8. Prior study
The outcome of quantitative research can be used for a previous study of another
research. Many scholars and researchers’ study and analyze the outcome of previous
research to establish their research hypothesis or research problem.
The results of quantitative research are more reliable than qualitative research and can
be used easily to deduce conclusions.

Strengths of Using Quantitative Methods


Quantitative researchers try to recognize and isolate specific variables contained
within the study framework, seek correlation, relationships and causality, and attempt to
control the environment in which the data is collected to avoid the risk of variables, other than
the one being studied, accounting for the relationships identified.
Among the specific strengths of using quantitative methods to study social science
research problems:
1. Allows for a broader study, involving a greater number of subjects, and enhancing the
generalization of the results;
2. Allows for greater objectivity and accuracy of results. Generally, quantitative methods
are designed to provide summaries of data that support generalizations about the
phenomenon under study. In order to accomplish this, quantitative research usually
involves few variables and many cases, and employs prescribed procedures to ensure
validity and reliability;
3. Applying well-established standards means that the research can be replicated, and
then analyzed and compared with similar studies;
4. You can summarize vast sources of information and make comparisons across
categories and over time; and,
5. Personal bias can be avoided by keeping a 'distance' from participating subjects and
using accepted computational techniques.

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Limitations of Using Quantitative Methods
Quantitative methods presume to have an objective approach to studying research
problems, where data is controlled and measured, to address the accumulation of facts, and
to determine the causes of behavior. As a consequence, the results of quantitative research
may be statistically significant but are often humanly insignificant.
Some specific limitations associated with using quantitative methods to study research
problems in the social sciences include:
1. Quantitative data is more efficient and able to test hypotheses, but may miss contextual
detail;
2. Uses a static and rigid approach and so employs an inflexible process of discovery;
3. The development of standard questions by researchers can lead to "structural
bias" and false representation, where the data actually reflects the view of the
researcher instead of the participating subject;
4. Results provide less detail on behavior, attitudes, and motivation;
5. Researcher may collect a much narrower and sometimes superficial dataset;
6. Results are limited as they provide numerical descriptions rather than detailed narrative
and generally provide less elaborate accounts of human perception;
7. The research is often carried out in an unnatural, artificial environment so that a level
of control can be applied to the exercise. This level of control might not normally be in
place in the real world thus yielding "laboratory results" as opposed to "real world
results"; and,
8. Preset answers will not necessarily reflect how people really feel about a subject
and, in some cases, might just be the closest match to the preconceived hypothesis.

Let’s Dig In
ACTIVITY 1
Directions: In the first column write A WORD that describes the characteristic of Quantitative
Research. In the second column, write A SENTENCE that explains why the word you wrote
in the first column is a characteristic of quantitative research.

WORD EXPLANATION
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

ACTIVITY 2
Directions: Compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of Quantitative Research to
that of Qualitative research. You may refer to your previous notes on qualitative research as
guide for this activity. Use the Venn Diagram to show the difference and similarities of the two
research types on basis of their (1) strengths and (2) weakness.

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STRENGTHS

QUALITATIVE QUANTITATIVE

WEAKNESSES

QUALITATIVE QUANTITATIVE

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You will be graded using the following rubric:
VENN DIAGRAM ASSESSMENT RUBRIC
CATEGORY 1 2 3 4 Score
Concept Each section of Each section of Each section of Each section
Arrangement the diagram the diagram the diagram of the diagram
contains very contains two contains three contains four
few facts that facts that are facts easily and more
are not easily somewhat identified. facts easily
identified. identified. identified.
Primary Students shows Student displays Student Student
Source little or no a illustrates a exhibits
Content understanding limited firmer mastery of the
of topic. There understanding understanding material as
are with some of most of the evidenced by
scant details. details similarities and attention to
pertinent to the differences detail.
subject matter. brainstormed.
Linking Contains Reflects some Most of the Reflects
Content nonfactual information and information is information
Together information that attempts to put it factual and that
does not in corresponding seemingly corresponds
correspond to section of corresponds with
the appropriate diagram. with appropriate appropriate
section of section of section of
diagram diagram. diagram.
Rubric created by ReadWriteThink Retrieved from www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson.../detectiverubric.pdf

Let’s Remember

Quantitative research is objective, uses large sample size and is a systematic


investigation of data that uses computational methods. It analyzes large data samples through
statistical methodologies. The outcomes from this research is generalizable and can explain
phenomena that happens in a large population. Though it is characteristically useful, it has
also its fair share of strengths and limitations.

Let’s Apply

Directions: Listed below are several characteristics that a researcher like you must have. On
the table below, write down in their respective columns the characteristics that you think is
your strength and the characteristics that is considered as your weakness.
Checking Resources Quick Thinking
Patience Communication Skills
Critical Thinking Innovative
Analysis Asking good questions
Curiosity Respecting Ownership
Using Resources

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STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

1. In what way will you be able to use your strengths when writing your research paper?
2. How will you overcome your weaknesses?

Let’s Evaluate

Directions: Write QL if it is Qualitative and QT if it is Quantitative. Write your answer before


the number.

_____1. Hypothesis generating


_____2. Explanatory
_____3. Holistic
_____4. Generalizable
_____5. Objective
_____6. Has researcher bias
_____7. Specific
_____8. Predictive
_____9. Case-specific
_____10. Non-quantifiable
_____11. Probabilistic samples
_____12. Hypothesis testing
_____13. Is from participant’s perspective
_____14. Subjective
_____15. Non- probabilistic samples

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Let’s Extend

Watch the video about characteristics of Quantitative Research

Title: Characteristics of Quantitative Research


YouTube Channel: Euman Parong
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFoENDWA9AY

References

Bhasin, Hitesh. 2019. What are the Characteristics of Quantitative Research? December 5. Accessed July 2020.
https://www.marketing91.com/characteristics-of-quantitative-research/.

2020. EDD-904: Understanding & Using Data. June 26. Accessed July 2020.
https://library.spalding.edu/c.php?g=461133&p=3153088.

Development Team of the Module


Writer: DANCEL V. GAPIT, TII
Layout Artist: MA. CHRISTINA M. DIONEDA, TII
Management Team: DR. MARGARITO B. MATERUM, SDS
DR. GEORGE P. TIZON, SGOD Chief
DR. ELLERY G. QUINTIA, CID Chief
DR. MARIVIC T. ALMO, EPS – Science
QUINN NORMAN O. ARREZA, J.D. SHS FOCAL
DR DAISY L. MATAAC, EPS – LRMS/ALS

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