QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

A definition of research?

A planned, systematic and thorough investigation of a

problem in order to better understand what is happening

(Kervin, Vialle, Herrington & Okely, 2006)

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When in doubt, observe and ask
questions.
When certain, observe at length
and ask many more questions.

from Halcolm’s Evaluation Laws (Patton, 1990)

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There are three kinds of lies: 
lies, damned lies,
and statistics.
Benjamin Disraeli

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 List all the things that you believe
represent common sense.
Where do these beliefs come from?

What is Were they the same a generation

common ago?

sense?
Will common sense be the same in
20 years time?

How does common sense relate to

notions of research knowledge?

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How do you decide what to believe?

• What happens when experts advocate different approaches?

• How do you decide what to believe?
• What do you consider a reliable indication of truth?
• How does this impact on research?

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Ways of knowing
Post
er
Know iori = be
h
after ledge is ind
an e x ga
perie ined
r to
Ways of nce
, pr i o
Priori ce knowing
en
experi

Non-
Empirical
empirical

Authority Logic Experience Evidence

Main methods of collecting evidence
(qualitative & quantitative)

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Main concepts in quantitative research

• Experimental method
• Hypothesis
• Independent variable (treatment variable)
• Dependent variable (outcome variable)
• Demographic and other variables
• Treatment group, control group
• Population, sample, sampling
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 Creating the Foundation
for Quantitative Research

CONCEPT CONSTRUCT VARIABLE OPERATIONALISATION

• Abstract thinking to • Theoretical • Presented in • Specifically how the

distinguish it from definition of a research questions variable is measured
other elements concept; must be and hypotheses
observable or
measurable; linked
to other concepts

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What is a Hypothesis?

• A hypothesis (from Greek: to suppose) consists either of a

suggested explanation for a phenomenon or of a reasoned
proposal suggesting a possible correlation between multiple
phenomena.
• Scientists generally base such hypotheses on previous
observations or on extensions of scientific theories.

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Variables

• Element that is identified in the hypothesis or research

question
• Property or characteristic of people or things that varies
in quality or magnitude
• Must have two or more levels
• Must be identified as independent or dependent

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Independent Variables

• Manipulation or variation of this variable is the cause of change

in other variables
• Technically, independent variable is the term reserved for
experimental studies
• Also called antecedent variable, experimental variable,
treatment variable, causal variable, predictor variable

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Dependent Variables

• The variable of primary interest

• Research question/hypothesis describes, explains, or predicts
changes in it
• The variable that is influenced or changed by the independent
variable
• In non-experimental research, also called criterion variable,
outcome variable
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Example
• Children who spend more time reading have better writing skill.

Dependent
variable

Independent
variable

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Example
• Children who spend more time reading have better writing skill.

Dependent
variable

Writing
score

effect

Independent
variable
Reading time per week
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cause
Making the Case
for Quantitative Research

Advantages

• Tradition and history implies rigor

• Numbers and statistics allows precise and exact comparisons
• Generalisation of findings

Limitations

• Cannot capture complexity of communication over time

• Difficult to apply outside of controlled environments

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Good research design

Theoretically sound – reflects previous ideas, suggests new areas of inquiry

Situational – methods suit the purpose

Feasible – can be implemented

Flexible – prevent design failure

Efficient – in terms of time, materials, researcher’s ability

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 Designing a quantitative study

1. Examine the theory

Experimental 2. Formulate a hypothesis
design is made 3. Define the population and draw a sample
up of a process 4. Assign participants to treatment groups
of 8 basic
procedures: 5. Apply the treatment (independent variable)
6. Compare groups on treatment outcome ( dependent variable)
7. Determine if there is a relationship between independent and dependent
variables
8. Review the theory to take this into account

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 Examine the theory

Review the theory to Formulate a

take this into account hypothesis

Determine if there is
a relationship Define the
between population and draw
independent and a sample
dependent variables

Compare groups on
treatment outcome Assign participants
( dependent to treatment groups
variable)

Apply the treatment

(independent
variable)
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Before next week:

• Try to understand Sarah’s research design

(what she did and when)

• Try to label AllData & Trial Data

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