Quantitative Data Analysis

Analysing data that is numbers-based or data that can easily be converted into numbers
without losing any meaning. Examples are category-based variables like gender, ethnicity or
native language. Quantitative data analysis is used to measure differences between groups (e.g.
average height differences between different groups of people), to assess relationships
between variables (e.g. between weather temperature and voter turnout), and to test
hypothesis scientifically (e.g. hypothesis on the impact of a certain vaccine).
Statistical analysis methods form the engine that powers quantitative analysis.
Two main branches of quantitative analysis
1. Descriptive statistics – focuses on describing the contents of the sample; purely
describes the composition of the sample;
2. Inferential statistics – aims to make predictions about the population based on the
findings within the sample;
Population refers to the entire group of people or animals or organizations that you are
interested in researching.
Sample refers to the smaller group of accessible people whose data you actually collect.
If the sample does not accurately represent the population your researching then your findings
won’t necessarily be very useful.
Sample problem example:
Population – 50% male; 50% female
Sample – 80% male; 20% female
(not representative of the population)

Typical descriptive statistics

1. Mean (average)
2. Median (midpoint)
3. Mode (most commonly repeated number in the data set)
4. Standard deviation (this metric indicates how dispersed a range of numbers is; how
close all the numbers are to the mean) – when numbers are close to the average, the
standard deviation will be relatively low; where the numbers are scattered all over the
place, the standard deviation will be relatively high;
5. Skewness – indicates how symmetrical a range of numbers is; do they tend to cluster
into a smooth bell curve shape in the middle of the graph (normal or parametric
 distribution); do they lean to the left or right (non-normal or non-parametric
distribution)
Importance of descriptive statistics – provide a micro and macro view of the data; help identify
errors and anomalies in the data; inform which inferential statistics you will use.

Common uses of inferential statistics – predictions about differences between two or more
groups (e.g. height differences between groups of children); predictions about relationship
between two or more variables (e.g. link between body weight and exercise frequency)
Most common inferential statistics methods
1. T-tests (compare the means of two groups of data to assess whether they are different
to a statistically significant extent) – to assess differences between groups in terms of
means, standard deviations, and skewness. E.g. compare the mean blood pressure
between two groups of people: one that has taken new medication and one that has
not to assess whether they are significantly different.
2. ANOVA – to assess differences between multiple groups
3. Correlation analysis – assesses the relationship between two variables; if variable A goes
up, does variable B go up or down? E.g. if the average temperature goes up, do average
ice cream sales increase too?
4. Regression analysis – assesses the relationship between variables but goes step further
to understand the cause and effect between the variables or causal relationship
between variables; does variable A’s movement cause variable B’s movement?
Correlation does not equal causation.
How to choose the right quantitative methods:
1. Data type and shape
2. Research questions and hypothesis
Levels of measurement – nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio
Shapes of data – normal distribution, skewed to the left or right
Never choose a method just because you are familiar with it.