Types of Quantitative Research
Survey Research
1. Descriptive Research Design
Descriptive research is used to understand a phenomenon, a
situation, or a population. Unlike experimental research,
descriptive research does not involve the manipulation of certain
variables. Rather, it seeks only to observe and measure the
variables in order to investigate them.
Among the types of quantitative research, this design is used
when trying to identify characteristics, categories, and
trends. The most common methods of collecting descriptive
research are case studies, observations, and surveys.
Advantages of descriptive research design:
 The descriptive research design for a quantitative approach
allows you to gather a detailed and nuanced understanding
of the research objective.
 The research method is relatively easy to implement and
involves surveys, observation, etc.
 It enables you to gather representative data that you can
use to generalize the findings to a large population.
Example of descriptive research design:
Using this quantitative research type, you can gather customer
satisfaction feedback on the company’s customer service. You
can conduct online surveys to assess various aspects of
customer service, such as the time it took to connect with an
agent, the agent’s politeness, knowledge, the effectiveness of
the resolution, etc.
The data can help you identify overall satisfaction levels and the
areas that require improvement.
2.
Surveys are the most popular and common method to
gather data. You can ask multiple questions to a wide
population. The data analysis is also simple since you can use
an online survey software that automatically analyzes data for
you.
You can choose to conduct surveys in two ways –
cross-sectional and longitudinal.
 Cross-sectional surveys are used when you want to
conduct research at a given point in time.
 Longitudinal surveys, on the other hand, are used when
you want to run surveys at various durations.
Advantages of survey research:
 A survey is the most popular kind of quantitative research
that allows you to gather data from a wider audience across
multiple sources.
 It is versatile in nature, allowing you to evaluate and gather
data for various objectives across multiple industries.
 Surveys use structured questionnaires enabling you to
gather standardized data.
 This quantitative research design allows you to provide
respondents with anonymity and confidentiality,
encouraging honest responses.
Example of survey research:
A cafe can use surveys to gather feedback from its customer
regarding their experience. They can ask questions about the
layout, customer service, food quality, cleanliness, and
satisfaction.
The survey result can help the cafe owner identify areas where
the cafe excels and areas for improvement.
3. Correlational Research Design
Correlational research is a non-experimental research
method used to identify a relationship between two variables
with no influence from any extraneous variable.
Among the types of quantitative research, this design can help
you recognize patterns and trends in the feedback you
gather. For example, an ice cream brand can use this
methodology to identify the relationship between weather
(temperature) and ice cream sales.
The correlation between the two variables will reflect the
direction and/or strength of their relationship.
 A positive correlation denotes that both variables change
in the same direction.
 A negative correlation denotes that the variables change
in opposite directions.
 A zero correlation denotes that there is no relationship
between the variables being studied.
Advantages of correlational research design:
 This quantitative research design type helps you establish
relationships within variables without manipulating them.
 You can predict the outcome and identify patterns and
trends based on the observed relationship.
 In cases when experimental manipulation may be
unethical, correlational research offers an alternative and
ethical approach.
 The approach involves collecting data from existing
sources, making it a cost-effective quantitative research
design.
Example of correlational research design:
You can evaluate the impact of advertising on consumers’
purchase decisions. In this research, you can gather data on the
advertising expenditure of a product and its corresponding sales
data.
By analyzing the data using correlational analysis, you can
determine if there is a relationship between advertising spending
and sales performance.
4. Quasi-Experimental Research Design
Similar to the experimental research design, quasi-experimental
research also aims to identify a cause-and-effect
relationship between two variables, i.e., an independent
variable and a dependent variable.
However, quasi-experiment involves subjects being assigned
to groups based on non-random criteria.
Among the types of quantitative research, this design is often
employed when true experiments cannot be carried out due to
practical or ethical reasons. A notable advantage of this design
is that it has higher external validity than most true
experiments, as it often involves real-world interventions as
opposed to an artificial laboratory setting.
Advantages of quasi-experimental design:
 It allows you to compare different groups/conditions and
explore the cause-and-effect relationship.
 This research design of a quantitative approach often
occurs in real-world settings. This allows for a high
ecological validity which means you can apply the findings
and generalize it to real-life situations.
 The quantitative research type is more practical and
feasible.
Example of quasi-experimental research design: Example of experimental research design:

You can evaluate the impact of pricing promotion on the sales
volume using this type of quantitative research.
In this research, you can select two stores that sell your product.
You can implement a promotion in one store while the other
store maintains the regular price. By comparing the sales
volume data from both stores during the promotion period, you
can assess its impact.
5. Experimental Research Design
A company can use this quantitative research design type to
test the impact of its new product compared to its older variation
in the market.
The company can experiment by randomly assigning the older
variation to a control group and the new product variation to the
experimental group. Then they can use surveys to gather
respondents’ feedback and assess the performance of both
products and the audiences’ preferences.

Experimental research, also known as true experimentation,

aims to measure the effect of one or more IVs on one or more
DVs with the use of the scientific method. This is done by
manipulating the independent variable to study its effects
on the dependent variable.

The experimental research design involves conducting a set of

procedures to test the hypothesis of the study. Subjects within
experimental research are randomly assigned to groups rather
than being assigned to groups using non-random criteria.

Advantages of experimental research design:

 The researcher has control over the extraneous variable,

which allows for a high degree of internal validity in this
research design for quantitative research.
 Experimental research enables replication and verification
of research outcomes, leading to increased confidence in
the conclusion drawn.
 It allows the researcher to manipulate the independent
variable to assess its impact on the dependent variable.