RESEARCH 2 MODULE 1

Instructor: Mrs. Mary Seal C. Pejo

Introduction to Quantitative Research

Research I introduced you to the two main classifications of research methods: quantitative and
qualitative. You have learned that qualitative research is more of describing a phenomenon in a
narrative; hence, the data collected can be in the form of words, images, or transcripts taken from a
small sample, not generalizable to the population. Choosing a small sample size makes room for in-
depth data collection and interpretation. In this lesson, you will learn about quantitative analysis, a
more formal, objective, and systematic approach to obtaining answers to a question or problem of the
study.

Vital to the conduct of a quantitative research project is a deep understanding of its characteristics.
When you know its strengths and different classifications, you will be able to identify what kind of
questions you should ask and what approach is most suited to find answers to these questions. The
identification of its weaknesses on the other hand, aids in recognizing the questions or topics that are
inappropriate to this course. At the end of this lesson, you will have a good grasp of what is
quantitative research that will prepare you in crafting a good research study and instrumental to
building lifelong skills.

Quantitative Research
You have learned from Practical Research 1 that research method is classified into two main types:
quantitative and qualitative. While both methods utilize a specific data gathering procedure, the
former is generally concerned with understanding phenomenon relating to or involving quality or kind.
The latter, on the other hand, is based on the measurement or quantity. In this module, we will focus
on quantitative methods of research and what are its different kinds.
Quantitative research uses scientifically collected and statistically analyzed data to investigate
observable phenomena. A phenomenon is any existing or observable fact or situation that we want to
unearth further or understand. It is scientific for the fact that it uses a scientific method in designing
and collecting numerical data. Once data is collected, it will undergo statistical analysis like Pearson’s
r, t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for analysis. Since data is analyzed statistically, it is
imperative that the data obtained must be numerical and quantifiable, hence its name quantitative
research.

Numerical data are generally easier to collect than descriptions or phrases used in qualitative
research. Information like student’s grades in different subjects, number of hours of engagement in
social media platforms of teens, percentage of consumers who prefer the color blue for soap
packaging, average daily Covid-19 patient recovery per region are just few examples of research data
expressed in numbers. Some data on the other hand, are not directly countable and thus require
conversion from non-numerical information into numerical information. For instance, determining
which brand of canned sardines is the best choice for consumers in terms of taste cannot be
expressed in numbers unless we do a survey using a rating scale. Several forms of rating scales are
available, e.g., the Likert scale that we can use to quantify data.

Usually, they come in a selection of numbers with a corresponding meaning for each choice, for
example: 1= tastes very good, 2 = satisfactory, or 3 = undesirable. Numerical choices convert texts
into numbers so the researcher can perform mathematical operations for faster, more accurate, and
more objective analysis.

Characteristics of Quantitative Research

Quantitative research is commonly used in natural sciences research problems because of the
following characteristics:

1. LARGE SAMPLE SIZE. To obtain more meaningful statistical result, the data must come from a
large sample size.

2. OBJECTIVE. Data gathering and analysis of results are done accurately, objectively, and are
unaffected by the researcher’s intuition and personal guesses.
3. VISUAL RESULT PRESENTATION. Data is numerical, which makes presentation through graphs,
charts, and tables possible and for better conveyance and interpretation.

4. FASTER DATA ANALYSIS. The use of a statistical tools give way for a less time-consuming data
analysis.

5. GENERALIZED DATA. Data taken from a sample can be applied to the population if sampling is
done accordingly, i.e., sufficient size and random samples were taken.

6. FAST DATA COLLECTION. Depending on the type of data needed, collection can be quick and
easy. Quantitative research uses standardized research instruments that allow the researcher to
collect data from a large sample size efficiently. For instance, a single survey form can be
administered simultaneously to collect various measurable characteristics like age, gender, socio-
economic status, etc.

7. RELIABLE DATA. Data is taken and analyzed objectively from a sample as a representative of the
population, making it more credible and reliable for policymaking and decision making.

8. REPLICATION. The Quantitative method can be repeated to verify findings enhancing its validity,
free from false or immature conclusions.

Strengths of Quantitative Research

The following are the strengths of quantitative research.
1. Quantitative research can be replicated or repeated.
2. Findings are generalizable to the population.
3. Conclusive establishment of cause and effect
4. Numerical and quantifiable data can be used to predict outcomes
5. Fast and easy data analysis using statistical software.
6. Fast and easy data gathering
7. Very objective
8. Validity and reliability can be established

Weaknesses of Quantitative Research

The following are the disadvantages of quantitative research:
1. It lacks the necessary data to explore a problem or concept in depth.
2. It does not provide comprehensive explanation of human experiences.
3. Some information cannot be described by numerical data such as feelings, and beliefs.
4. The research design is rigid and not very flexible.
5. The participants are limited to choose only from the given responses.
6. The respondents may tend to provide inaccurate responses.
7. A Large sample size makes data collection more costly.

Kinds of Quantitative Research

Quantitative research is a broad spectrum that it can be classified into smaller and more specific
kinds: descriptive, correlational, ex post facto, quasi-experimental, and experimental.
Descriptive design is used to describe a particular phenomenon by observing it as it occurs in
nature. There is no experimental manipulation and the researcher does not start with a hypothesis.
The goal of descriptive research is only to describe the person or object of the study. An example of
descriptive research design is “the determination of the different kinds of physical activities and how
often high school students do it during the quarantine period.”

The correlational design identifies the relationship between variables. Data is collected by
observation since it does not consider the cause and effect for example, the relationship between the
amount of physical activity done and student academic achievement.

Ex post facto design is used to investigate a possible relationship between previous events and
present conditions. The term “Ex post facto”, means after the fact, looks at the possible causes of an
already occurring phenomenon. Just like the first two, there is no experimental manipulation in this
design. An example of this is “how does the parent’s academic achievement affect the children
obesity?”
A quasi-experimental design is used to establish the cause and effect relationship of variables.
Although it resembles the experimental design, the quasi-experimental has lesser validity due to the
absence of random selection and assignment of subjects. Here, the independent variable is identified
but not manipulated. The researcher does not modify pre-existing groups of subjects. The group
exposed to treatment (experimental) is compared to the group unexposed to treatment (control):
example, the effects of unemployment on attitude towards following safety protocol in ECQ declared
areas.

Experimental design like quasi- experimental is used to establish the cause and effect relationship
of two or more variables. This design provides a more conclusive result because it uses random
assignment of subjects and experimental manipulations. For example, a comparison of the effects of
various blended learning to the reading comprehension of elementary pupils.
Name: _______________________________ Year/Course: ________________ Date: ______________

Activity 1: True or False

Directions: On the space provided, write TRUE if the statement describes quantitative research and FALSE if it
is incorrect.

_______1. Quantitative data can be presented using tables and graphs.

_______2. Quantitative research is flexible so at any stage, the study may change.
_______3. The results of quantitative research can be used to generalize and predict.
_______4. Quantitative data are more credible, reliable, and useful than qualitative data.
_______5. Data are in the form of numbers and analyzed statistically.
_______6. The research study cannot be replicated or repeated because it is unique in every case.
_______7. Data analysis is an on-going process. It can be done at any stage of the process.
_______8. The behavior of the participants is observed and is critical to the analysis of results.
_______9. Analysis of data is less time-consuming.
______10. In quantitative research, the researcher participates and engages the participants in the study

Activity 2: Yes or No

Direction: Write YES on the blank if the question requires for quantitative approach and NO if it does not.
__________1. Are high grades in Mathematics a good indicator for employment after graduation?
__________2. Will taking brain enhancers increase examination scores?
__________3. Are there changes in consumer behavior before and after online selling was popularized?
__________4. Do online learning materials enhance the computer skills of students?
__________5. Are there changes in the study habits of public school students before and after the Covid-19
pandemic?
__________6. What kind of pick-up lines are most appealing to both genders at the early adult stage?
__________7. Is there a difference in the academic performance of students using online, blended and
modular learning modalities?
__________8. Will student’s and parent’s attitudes towards distance learning change over time?
__________9. Which of the four SHS tracks (Academic, Tech-Voc, Sports, Arts & Design) is greatly affected
by the Covid-19 pandemic?
__________10. What are the factors affecting the delayed completion and submission of assignments/tasks
given to students using modular learning modality?

Activity 3:
Directions: Write your learning about the following:

1. What is quantitative research?

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2. What are the characteristics of quantitative research?

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5. Describe each type of quantitative design and give one (1) example for each kind.
A. Descriptive design. ________________________________________________
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B. Correlational design A. Descriptive design. ________________________________________________
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C. Ex post facto design A. Descriptive design. ________________________________________________
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D. Quasi-experimental design. A. Descriptive design.

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E. Experimental design. _______________________________________________

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ACTIVITY 4: MAKE 3 POSSIBLE QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH TITLES FOR YOUR PAPER.

CLASSIFY THEM UNTO WHICH QUANTITATIVE DESIGN DO THEY BELONG.

Title Quantitative Design