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Lesson 1: The Characteristics, Strengths, Weaknesses, and Kinds of Quantitative Research
Lesson 1: The Characteristics, Strengths, Weaknesses, and Kinds of Quantitative Research
5. LARGE SAMPLE SIZES. To arrive at a more reliable data analysis, a normal population
distribution curve is preferred. This requires a large sample size, depending on how the
characteristics of the population vary. Random sampling is recommended in determining
the sample size to avoid researcher’s bias in interpreting the results.
7. FUTURE OUTCOMES. By using complex mathematical calculations and with the aid of
computers, if-then scenarios may be formulated thus predicting future results.
Quantitative research puts emphasis on proof, rather than discovery.
2. The use of statistical techniques facilitates sophisticated analyses and allows you to
comprehend a huge number of vital characteristics of data.
3. It is real and unbiased. If the research is properly designed it filters out external factors,
and so is real and unbiased.
4. The numerical data can be analyzed in a quick and easy way. By employing statistically
valid random models, findings can be generalized to the population about which
information is necessary.
6. Quantitative experiments are useful for testing the results gained by a series of
qualitative experiments, leading to a final answer, and narrowing down of possible
directions to follow.
2. It is costly. Since there are more respondents compared to qualitative research, the
expenses will be greater in reaching out to these people and in reproducing
questionnaires.
3. The information is contextual factors to help interpret the results or to explain variations
are usually ignored. It does not consider the distinct capacity of the respondents to share
and elaborate further information unlike the qualitative research.
5. If not done seriously and correctly, data from questionnaires may be incomplete and
inaccurate. Researchers must be on the look-out on respondents who are just guessing
in answering the instrument.
Research design refers to the overall strategy that you choose to integrate the different
components of the study in a coherent and logical way, thereby ensuring you will effectively
address the research problem.
The following are the various kinds of quantitative research design that a researcher may
employ:
True experimental design employs both treated and control groups to deal
with time-related rival explanations. True experimental design offers the
highest internal validity of all the designs. Quasi-experimental design differs
from true experimental design by the absence of random assignment of
subjects to different conditions. What quasi-experiments have in common
with true experiments is that some subjects receive an intervention and
provide data likely to reflect its impact.
The term ‘variable’ has been mentioned several times so that it is necessary to define it
here. In research, a variable refers to a “characteristics that has two or more mutually
exclusive values or properties” (Sevilla and Other, 1988).
The root word of the word variable is “vary” or simply “can change”. These variables are
among the fundamental concepts of research, alongside with measurement, validity, reliability,
cause and effect, and theory. Bernard (1994) defines a variable as something that can take
more than one value, and values can be words or numbers.
1. CONTINUOUS VARIABLES – A variable that can take infinite number on the value that
can occur within the population. Its values can be divided into fractions. Examples of this
type of variable include age, height, and temperature. Continuous variables can be
further categorized as:
b. RATIO VARIABLES – It have values that lie along an evenly dispersed range of
numbers when there is absolute zero. It possesses the properties of interval
variable and has a clear definition of zero, indication that there is none of that
variable.
2. DISCRETE VARIABLES – This is also known as categorical or classificatory variable.
This is any variable that has limited number of distinct values, and which cannot be
divided into fractions like sex, blood group, and number of children in family. Discrete
variable may also categorize into:
KINDS OF VARIABLES
Several experts have lumped together the following as the major kinds of variables:
2. DEPENDENT VARIABLES – those that depend on the independent variables; they are
the outcomes or results of the influence of the independent variable. That is why it is
also called outcome variable.
EXAMPLE: Consider the given below. Even if farm production is good, if the
attitude towards payment is negative, loan repayment would be low, whereas, if
the attitude towards repayment is positive or favorable, loan repayment would be
high.