C o n c e p t N o t e s

Quantitative Research

It focuses the mind to specific things by Involving measurements and amounts,

means of statistics that invlove quantitative research seeks to find answers to
collection and study of numeric data. questions starting with how many, how much
long, to what extent, and the like.

Characteristics of Quantitative Research

1. Focuses attention to object of the study.
2. Exclude own thoughts and feelings.
3. Characterized by objectiveness.

Classifications of Quantitative Research:

1. Experimental
• True Experimental - helps investigate the cause-and-effect relationships between the
variables under study. The research method requires manipulating an independent
variable, random assignment of participants to different groups, and measuring the
dependent variable.
- It can be used to determine if a drug causes a particular effect, or if reading
programs result in an increase in reading ability. True experiments must have a
control group, which is a group of research participants that resemble the
experimental group but do not receive the experimental treatment.
- Types:
*Pretest and post-test control group design.
*Post-test only control group design.
*Solomon four group design.

• Quasi Experimental - studies that aim to evaluate interventions but that do not use
randomization. Similar to randomized trials, quasi-experiments aim to demonstrate
causality between an intervention and an outcome.
- Researchers try to develop models by involving teachers as researchers, employing
observational research techniques. Although results of this kind of research are
context-dependent and difficult to generalize, they can act as a starting point for
further study.
- Types: nonequivalent groups designs, pretest-posttest, and interrupted time-series
designs.
2. Non-experimental
• Survey - research that lacks the manipulation of an independent variable, random assignment of
participants to conditions or orders of conditions, or both.
• Historical - the independent variable is not manipulated; the researcher does not have complete
control over the conditions of the non-experimental research study.
• Observational – researchers observe individuals without experimental manipulation or intervention.
There is an inadequacy about the term “observational study” because the outcome variable of an
experiment could also be observed.

1
• Correlational - allows researchers to collect much more data than experiments. A correlation describes
the theory and/or direction of the relationship between two or more variables.
• Descriptive – a researcher may be interested in the average age, sex, most common diagnoses, and
other characteristics of pediatric patients being transported by air.
• Comparative - the researcher examines the differences between two or more groups on the
phenomenon that is being studied.