PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2 Learning Activity Sheet No.

1, Quarter 1/Module 1

Activity 1: WORD PLAY

Instructions: Rearrange the letters provided below to form a word, then
consult the dictionary to look for the meaning of the word.
OONCRDELLT - __________________________
EEIIATFRNL - __________________________
EEPD - __________________________
COPRSSE-DEEIOTRN - __________________________
CJOEEIBTV - __________________________
IAEEELTPXMNR - __________________________
EEIVTSBJUC - __________________________
UAASIICTTRNL - __________________________
PFICSEIC - __________________________
OOAALBNSRVTIE - __________________________
EEEGLBNAAIZLLR - __________________________
The words you have formed describe research. Five are characteristics of qualitative
research while the other five are of quantitative research. There are two approaches to collecting
and analyzing data: qualitative research and quantitative research. Quantitative research deals
with numbers and statistics, while qualitative research deals with words and meanings
(RaimoStreefkerk, 2019). Now, knowing the definition which do you think are characteristics of
quantitative research? Go back to your answers and circle those five.

The table below shows the characteristics of qualitative and quantitative research.

Are you able to get the correct answers?

Can you now give the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative research based on its
characteristics?

Activity 2: Strengths and Weaknesses of Quantitative Research

Instructions: Read the discussion below on the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative research
then perform the activity that follows.

Quantitative Research
Quantitative research is dependent on the creation of hypothesis followed by accurate analysis of
the statistics in order to understand and explain the research findings. It focuses more on the
quantity of things and their statistical patterns. Quantitative research method has proven to be
beneficial in the following ways:

Quantitative data provides a macro view with all the required details and comparatively larger
samples.
 Larger sample sizes enable the conclusion to be generalized.
 Evaluation of the multiple data sets can be done at once and that too at a faster pace and
accurately.
 This method is called to be appropriate when there is a need of systematic and
standardized comparisons.
  The manual implementations of ideas can be automated completely which can save time.

Weaknesses of Quantitative Data

 Quantitative Method reveals what and to what extent but often fails to answer moreon why
and how.
 This type of research requires the model performance to be monitored on constant basis in
order to ensure its compliance with the original hypotheses.
 The impression of homogeneity in a sample may turn out to be fake in this method.
 This method involves limited number of Quants supply and also involves complex
disciplines which are hard to master.

Mention other strengths and weaknesses of quantitative research not mentioned above. Use the
space below to discuss you answer. Don’t forget to state your references.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Now, you already have the knowledge of the characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of
a quantitative research. This part of the module presents the different types of quantitative
research. This will further give you wider idea why most studies employ quantitative research.
There are four main types of quantitative research designs namely; descriptive,
correlational, casual-comparative/quasi-experimental and experimental research.
Descriptive research seeks to describe the current status of an identified variable. These
research projects are designed to provide systematic information about a phenomenon. The
researcher does not usually begin with a hypothesis, but is likely to develop one after collecting
data. The analysis and synthesis of the data provide the test of the hypothesis. Systematic
collection of information requires careful selection of the units studied and careful measurement of
each variable. (www.wssu.edu)

Examples of descriptive research:

1. A description of the tobacco use habits of teenagers.
2. A description of the kinds of physical activities that typically occur in nursing homes, and how
frequently each occurs.
Correlational research attempts to determine the extent of a relationship between two or
more variables using statistical data. In this type of design, relationships between and among a
number of facts are sought and interpreted. This type of research will recognize trends and
patterns in data, but it does not go so far in its analysis to prove causes for these observed
patterns. Cause and effect is not the basis of this type of observational research. The data,
relationships, and distributions of variables are studied only. Variables are not manipulated; they
are only identified and are studied as they occur in a natural setting.

Examples of correlation research:

1. The covariance of smoking and lung disease
2. The relationship between diet and anxiety
Causal-comparative/quasi-experimental research attempts to establish causeeffect
relationships among the variables. These types of design are very similar to true experiments, but
with some key differences. An independent variable is identified but not manipulated by the
experimenter, and effects of the independent variable on the dependent variable are measured.
The researcher does not randomly assign groups and must use ones that are naturally formed or
pre-existing groups. Identified control groups exposed to the treatment variable are studied and
compared to groups who are not. When analyses and conclusions are made, determining causes
must be done carefully, as other variables, both known and unknown, could still affect the
outcome.

Examples of causal-comparative/quasi-experimental research

1. The effect of online classes to student’s performance.
2. The effect of feeding program on students’ attendance.

Experimental research, often called true experimentation, uses the scientific method to
establish the cause-effect relationship among a group of variables that make up a study. The true
experiment is often thought of as a laboratory study, but this is not always the case; a laboratory
setting has nothing to do with it. A true experiment is any study where an effort is made to identify
and impose control over all other variables except one. An independent variable is manipulated to
determine the effects on the dependent variables.
Subjects are randomly assigned experimental treatments rather than identified in naturally
occurring groups.
Examples of experimental research:
1. The effect of a new treatment plan on breast cancer.
2. The effect of a systematic preparation and support system on children who were scheduled for
surgery on the amount of psychological upset and cooperation.

The table below presents the comparison of quantitative research designs.

Activity 3: My Sketch
Instructions: Make a diagram showing the different types of quantitative research design. It must
contain key words that describe the research design. You may use any shapes or figure for
representations.

Reference: Practical Research 2 Quarter 1 – Module 1 Quantitative Research