Quantitative Research

Introduction to Quantitative Research

Quantitative vs. Qualitative

 Quantitative - This type of research seeks to understand causal/correlational relationship

between variables.
 Qualitative - This type of research seeks to understand a phenomenon
within a real-word context through the use of interviews and observation.

Independent Variable vs. Dependent Variable

 Independent Variable - It is the variable that the researcher or experimenter manipulates.

 Dependent Variable - It is the variable being tested and measured in an
experiment.

I. Characteristics of Quantitative Research (USC Libraries, 2015)

• The data is usually gathered using structured research instruments. These are usually in the
form of numbers and statistics often arranged in tables, charts, figures, or other non-textual
forms.
• The results are based on larger sample sizes that are representative of the population.
• The research study can usually be replicated or repeated, given its high reliability.
• The researcher has a clearly defined research question to which objective answers are sought.
S/he uses tools such as questionnaires or a computer software to collect numerical data.
• All aspects of the study are carefully designed before data is collected.
• The project can be used to generalize concepts more widely, predict future results, or
investigate causal relationships.

II. The importance of Quantitative Research. (“Module 9: Introduction to Research”, n.d.)

• More reliable and objective
• Can use statistics to generalize a finding
• Often reduces and restructures a complex problem to a limited number of variables
• Looks at relationships between variables and can establish cause and effect in highly
controlled circumstances
• Tests theories or hypotheses
• Assumes sample is representative of the population
• Subjectivity of researcher in methodology is recognized less
• Less detailed than qualitative data and may miss a desired response from the participant

Parts of a Quantitative Research Paper

Chapter I: The Problem and its Background

Background of the Study
• It includes the purpose and reason behind the conduct of the study.
• It answers the question: “What made you conduct the study?”
• It also serves as the introduction.
Statement of the Problem
• This states the main problem that the research is trying to solve.
• It follows the formulation of the title.
• It specifically points the important questions that the study needs to answer.
• It also serves as the basis of the questionnaire.
Significance of the Study
 • “Why conduct the study?”
• You have to identify who will benefit from the research and why.
• This should match with the recommendation.
Hypothesis (Science Buddies, 2002-2015)
• A hypothesis is an educated guess about how things work.
The two (2) types of hypotheses are scientific and working.
 A scientific hypothesis is based on experiments and observations from the past that cannot
be explained with current theories.
 A working hypothesis is widely accepted and becomes the basis of further experimentation.
Goal of a Hypothesis
Regardless of the type of hypothesis, the goal of a hypothesis is to help explain the focus and
direction of the experiment or research. As such, a hypothesis will:
 state the purpose of the research; and
 identify what variables are used.
Parameters of a Good Hypothesis
In order to be a good hypothesis that can be tested or studied, it:
 needs to be logical;
 must use precise language; and
 should be testable with research or experimentation
Null Hypothesis vs. Alternative Hypothesis
 Null Hypothesis - This hypothesis always predicts no effect or no relationship
between variables.
 Alternative Hypothesis - This hypothesis states a research prediction of an effect or
relationship.
Definition of Terms
• It defines technical terms based on how they are used in the study, specifically in the title. This
aims to provide the readers or future researches with the basic terminologies that are important to
understand the paper.

Chapter II: Review of Related Literature

• It is the foundation of your research. This is where you will use your note cards.
• This will require your command of language and writing skills such as summarizing,
paraphrasing, and quoting.
Chapter III: Research Methodology
• Research design
• Locale of the study
• Population or sample of the study
• Research instruments
• Control of extraneous variables

Chapter IV: Presentation, Analysis, and Interpretation of the Study Results of the study
• Present all the data gathered from the questionnaire by tabulating all data gathered information.
• Aside from the tables, an interpretation of each presented data should follow. This will serve
as the basis of your Summary of Findings.

Chapter V: Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations

Summary of Findings
• It should summarize the interpretation of data.
• It should answer your statement of the problem.
Conclusions
• It will be based on the summary of findings.
• This is the part wherein your hypotheses and assumptions are being proven.
Recommendations
• These should be based on the findings and conclusion of the study.
• These should also include action plans after the conduct of the study.
• These may be specific, general, or both and may include suggestions for further studies.
• It should be formulated in a non-technical language.
• It should be feasible, workable, doable, flexible, and adaptable.

Kinds of Quantitative Research

1. Descriptive Research
Descriptive research is all about describing people who take part in the study. It is designed to
depict the participants in an accurate way.
There are three (3) ways a researcher can go about doing a descriptive research project. These
are:
• Observational – defined as a method of viewing and recording the participants
• Case study – defined as an in-depth study of an individual or group of individuals
• Survey – defined as a brief interview or discussion with an individual about a specific topic

2. Correlational Research
It is a procedure in which subjects score in two (2) variables which are simply measured
without manipulation of any variables to determine whether there is a relationship between
them.

3. Causal-Comparative/Quasi-Experimental Research
It is also known as “ex-post facto” research (Latin for “after the fact”). In this type of research,
investigators attempt to determine the cause or consequences of differences that already exist
between or among groups of individuals

4. Experimental Research
It is a systematic and scientific approach to research in which the researcher manipulates one
(1) or more variables and controls and measures any change in other variables.