Practical Research 2

Quarter 1 - Module 1
WEEK 1
Nature of Inquiry and Research

LESSON 1: Introduction to Quantitative Research

What’s In
Practical Research I introduced you into the two main classification of research method which are
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 transcript taken from a small
sample, not generalizable to the population. Choosing a small sample size enables the research to make in-depth
data collection and interpretation. In this lesson, you will learn about quantitative research, a more formal,
objective and systematic approach to obtaining answers to a question or problem of the study.

What I Need to Know

Vital to the conduct of a quantitative research project is a deep understanding of the characteristics of it.
When you know its strengths and different types you will be able to identify what kind of questions you should
ask and what is the most suited approach to find answers to these questions. Determining 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.

What’s New
Activity 1: Finding clues

Directions: Group the following word clues if they are characteristics of Quantitative Research (Box A) or
Qualitative Research (Box B).

1. Measurable 6. Text-based 11. Subjective

2. Behavior 7. Intervention 12. Small sample
3. Statistical 8. Experimental group 13. Tables and charts
4. Narrative 9. Unstructured observation 14. Deductive
5. Objective 10. Inductive 15. Generalizable

A. Quantitative Research B. Qualitative Research

Activity 2: Let’s match

Directions: Match the following quantitative research title under column A to its classification in column B.

Column A Column B
______1. Investigating the effects of formalin treated eggplants on A. Experimental
mice.
______2. Factors affecting job satisfaction among Tech-Voc B. Descriptive
graduates.
______3. Prevalence of domestic violence in cities declared under C. Ex post facto
Enhanced Community Quarantine during Covid-19 pandemic.
______4. The effects of age on social media platform choice. D. Quasi-experimental
______5. The relationship between intelligence and sports choices E. Correlational
among high school students.

What Is It
Quantitative Research

You have learned from Practical Research 1 that research method is divided intotwo main types:
quantitative and qualitative. While both methods utilize a certain 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 measurement of quantity. In this module, we will focus on quantitative methods of
research and what are its different kinds or classification.

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 further
unearth or understand. It is scientific for a fact that it uses 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 is
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 use of 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 requires conversion from a non-numerical information into a 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 make 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 number like for example: 1= tastes very good, 2 = satisfactory, or 3 =
undesirable. This converts data into numerical form 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. In order 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 so it can be presented in graphs, charts, and
tables for better presentation and interpretation.

4. FASTER DATA ANALYSIS. The use of statistical tool gives the researcher 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 taken.

6. FAST DATA COLLECTION. Depending on the type of data needed, collection can be fast 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 and
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 policy making and decision making.

8. REPLICATION. 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. Lacks necessary data to explore a problem or concept in depth.
2. Does not provide comprehensive explanation of human experiences.
3. Some information cannot be described by numerical data such as feelings, and beliefs.
4. Research design is rigid and not very flexible.
5. Participants are limited to choose only from the given responses.
6. Respondents may have the tendency to provide inaccurate responses.
7. Large sample size makes data collection more costly.

Kinds of Quantitative Research

Quantitative research is a broad spectrum as such it can be classified into much more specific kinds as
follows: descriptive, correlational, ex post facto, quasi-experimental, and experimental.

Descriptive design is used to describe a certain phenomenon by observing them as they occur 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. Example of descriptive research design is the
determination of the different kinds of physical activities and how often the high school students do it during the
quarantine period.

Correlational design identifies the relationship between variables. Data is collected by observation since it
does not consider the cause and effect. Example, the relationship between 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. Example, how does
the parent’s academic achievement affect the children obesity?

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. Also, the
groups are not assigned instead the researcher use the pre-existing groups.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 more conclusive result because it uses random assignment of subjects and
experimental manipulations. Example, a comparison of the effects of various blended learning to the reading
comprehension of elementary pupils.

What’s More
Activity 1

Directions: On the space provided, write TRUE if the statement describes a quantitative research and FALSE if
it is incorrect.
_______1. Quantitative data can be presented using tables and graphs.
_______2. The results from quantitative research can be used to generalize and predict.
_______3. Quantitative research is flexible so at any stage, the study may change.
_______4. Quantitative data are more credible, reliable and useful than qualitative data.
_______5. The research study cannot be replicated or repeated because it is unique in every case.
_______6. Data are in the form of numbers and analyzed statistically.
_______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

Direction: Write YES on the blank if the question requires for quantitative approach and NO if it does not.
__________1. Is 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 attitude 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?
What I Have Learned

Directions: Write your concise learning about the following:

1. What is quantitative research?

 ______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

2. What are the characteristics of quantitative research?

______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

3. Discuss the strengths of quantitative research.

______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

4. Discuss the weaknesses of quantitative research.

______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

5. Describe each type of quantitative design and give one (1) example for each kind.
A. Descriptive design. ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
B. Correlational design. __________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
C. Ex post facto design. __________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
D. Quasi-experimental design. _____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
E. Experimental design. __________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

What I Can Do

Directions: Research ten (10) different quantitative research titles and classify them as to which quantitative
design they belong.
 RESEARCH TITLE QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH DESIGN
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.