Quantitative research is a systematic investigation that uses numerical data and statistical analysis to quantify opinions, attitudes, behaviors, and other defined variables.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!- It aims to measure, count, and generalize findings to larger populations.
This approach is often used to test hypotheses, establish cause-and-effect relationships, and make predictions.
Key Characteristics:
- Focus on Quantification: Emphasizes numerical data and statistical analysis.
- Deductive Approach: Typically starts with a hypothesis or theory and seeks to test it.
- Objective Measurement: Aims for objective and measurable data that can be replicated.
- Large Sample Sizes: Often involves large sample sizes to allow for generalization.
- Statistical Analysis: Uses statistical techniques to analyze numerical data.
Common Types of Quantitative Research Design:
The followings are the common quantitative research designs:
- Descriptive Research Design
- Correlational Study
- Causal Comparative Research Design
- Experimental Research
- Quasi-Experimental Research
1. Descriptive Research Design:
A research design that is developed with the aim of studying the subject of research in detail and explains the facts and characteristics related to research problem is known as descriptive research design.
- It focuses on answering “what,” “where,” “when,” and “how” questions about a subject, rather than delving into “why”.
This design relies on observation, surveys, and case studies to gather data, often as a preliminary step before more in-depth, causal research.
Steps to be performed while using Descriptive Research Design:
- Determination of study objective.
- Collection of Sample.
- Preparing procedures for collecting data.
- Collection of data.
- Processing and analyzing data.
- Preparing report incorporating facts.
2. Correlational Study:
A research design that is used to study the relationship between two or more variables is known as correlational study.
- In correlational study, it is assumed that if there is change in one variable then there will be the change in another variable.
- The main aim of this research design is to see the relationship and the degree of relationship between variables.
Correlation may be positive or negative. Increase in one variable leads to increase in other variables is known as positive correlation while Increase in one variable leads to decrease in other variables is known as positive correlation.
Steps to be followed while using Correlational Study:
- Defining Research Problem
- Reviewing Literature
- Developing Conceptual Design
- Finding out appropriate variables
- Selecting appropriate subject/issue
- Developing appropriate tools for measurement
- Selecting interrelated tools for measurement
- Collection of Data
- Analysis and Interpretation of Results
3. Causal Comparative Research Design:
Causal-comparative research, also known as ex post facto research, is a non-experimental design that aims to identify cause-and-effect relationships between variables after an event or action has already occurred.
- The main aim of this research is to assess the cause of difference in two groups.
Researchers compare two or more groups that differ on a variable of interest to see if there’s a relationship with another variable.
This study can be conducted in three ways:
- In first condition, only the explanation of effect is made.
- In second condition, only the explanation of causes is made.
- In third condition, the impact of events is explained.
Steps to be followed while using Causal Comparative Research Design:
- Defining Research Problem
- Reviewing Literature
- Formulating Hypothesis
- Preparing list of assumptions of hypothesis and research process.
- Preparing Conceptual Design
- Selecting appropriate subject/issue and source of materials
- Preparing data collection method
- Preparing base for data analysis
- Providing the authenticity and reliability of data collection method
- Analysis and Interpretating the Result concisely and precisely.
4. Experimental Research:
Experimental Research is a scientific method of investigation in which the researcher manipulates one variable (called the independent variable) to observe its effect on another variable (called the dependent variable) under controlled conditions.
- It is considered the most reliable research method for determining cause-and-effect relationships.
Experimental research is a study method where researchers change something on purpose to see how it affects something else while controlling all other factors.
Steps to be followed while using Experimental Research Design:
- Review of Literature
- Identifying problem and defining them
- Formulating hypothesis
- Formulating practical plan
- Formulating null hypothesis
- Reduction of data and information to draw expected results
- Providing the results drawn from the experiment