Characteristics, Strengths,

Weaknesses, Kinds of Quantitative

Research
Prepared by Sir JM Realco
INTRODUCTION
Quantitative Research Designs use numbers in
stating generalizations about given problem or
inquiry in contrast to qualitative research that
hardly uses statistical treatment in stating
generalizations.
INTRODUCTION
The numbers are the results of objective scales of
measurements of the units of analysis called
variables.

Research findings are subjected to statistical

treatment to determine significant relationships or
differences between variables, the results of which
are the bases for generalization about phenomena.
Characteristics of Quantitative
Research
• Methods or procedures of data gathering
include items like age, gender, educational
status, among others, that call for measurable
characteristics of population
Characteristics of Quantitative
Research
• Standardized instruments guide data
collection, thus, ensuring the accuracy,
reliability and validity of data.
Characteristics of Quantitative
Research
• Figure, tables or graphs showcase summarized
data collected in order to show trends,
relationships or differences among variables.
• In sum, the charts and tables allow you to see
the evidence collected.
Characteristics of Quantitative
Research
• A large population yields more reliable data,
but principles of random sampling must be
strictly followed to prevent researcher’s bias.
Characteristics of Quantitative
Research
• Quantitative methods can be repeated to
verify findings in another setting, thus,
reinforcing validity of findings.
• Quantitative methods research puts emphasis
on proof, rather than discovery.
Strength and Weaknesses of
Quantitative Research
 Strengths
It is the most reliable and valid way of
concluding results, giving way to a new
hypothesis or to disproving it.
 Strengths
Because of a bigger number of the sample of
a population, the results or generalizations are
more reliable and valid.
 Strengths
Filter out external factors, if properly
designed, and so the results gained can be seen,
as real and unbiased. Quantitative experiments
are useful for testing the results gained by a
series of qualitative experiments, leading to a
final answer, and a narrowing down of possible
directions to follow.
 Weakness
Quantitative research can be costly, difficult
and time-consuming – difficult because most
researches are non-mathematicians.
 Weakness
Quantitative studies require extensive
statistical treatment, requiring stringent
standards, more so with confirmation of results.
When ambiguities in some findings surface,
retesting and refinement of the design call for
another investment in time and resources to
polish the results.
 Weakness
Quantitative methods also tend to turn out
only proved or unproven results, leaving little
room for uncertainty, or grey areas. For the
social sciences, education, anthropology and
psychology, human nature is a lot more complex
than just a simple yes or no response.
Kinds of Quantitative Research Design
Research design refers to the overall strategy
that chooses in order to integrate the different
components of the study in a coherent and logical
way, thereby ensuring you will effectively address
eh research problem. Furthermore, a research
design constitutes the blueprint for the selection,
measurement and analysis of data. The research
problem determines the research design you should
be use.
Kinds of Quantitative Research Design
Quantitative methods emphasize objective
measurements and the statistical, mathematical,
or numerical analysis of data collected through
polls, questionnaires, and surveys, or by
manipulating pre-existing statistical data using
computational techniques.
Kinds of Quantitative Research Design
Quantitative research designs are generally
classified experimental or non-experimental as
the following matrix shows:
 Quantitative Design Qualitative Design

Experimental Non-Experimental

True Quasi- Pre-

Descriptive
Experimental Experimental Experimental

1. Pre-Test 1. Non- 1. One shot 1. Survey 1. Focus Group

Design equivalent case study 2. Correlational Discussion
2. Post-Test control 2. One group 3. Ex-Post Facto 2. Grounded Theory
Design group pre-test Studies 3. Phenomenology
3. Post-Test design post-test 4. Comparative 4. Discourse
only/contr 2. Time series design 5. Evaluative Analysis
ol Group Design 6. Methodological 5. Participant
Design Observation
 Experimental Research
Allows researcher to control the situation. In so
doing, it allows the researchers to answer the
question, “What causes something to occur?”
this kind of research also allows researcher to
identify cause and effect relationship between
variables
 Non-Experimental Research
In this kind of research design, the researcher
observes the phenomena as they occur naturally
and no external variables are introduced. In this
design, the variables are not deliberately
manipulated nor setting controlled. Researchers
collect data without making changes or
introducing treatments.
 Non-Experimental Research
Its main purpose is to observe, describe and
document aspects of a situation as it naturally
occurs and sometimes to serve as a starting
point for hypothesis generation or theory
development.
 Types of Descriptive Design
Survey – it is used when researcher intends to
provide a quantitative or numeric description of
trends, attitudes or opinions of a population by
studying a sample of that population. Example,
universities regularly float surveys to determine
customer satisfaction, that is, students’ attitudes
toward or opinions regarding students services like
canteen, clinic, security, the guidance and
counseling and a like.
 Types of Descriptive Design
Correlational – It has three types:
1. Bivariate – obtain scores from two variables
for each subject, then use them to calculate a
correlation coefficient. The term bivariate
implies that the two variables are correlated
(variables are selected because they are
believed to be related)
 Types of Descriptive Design
Correlational – It has three types:
2. Prediction studies – use correlational co-
efficient to show how one variable predicts one
another.
 Types of Descriptive Design
Correlational – It has three types:
3. Multiple regression Prediction -
 Types of Descriptive Design
Ex-Post Facto – A non-experimental designs that are
used to investigate causal relationships. They
examine whether one or more pre-existing could
possibly have caused subsequent differences in
group subjects. Researcher attempts to discover
whether differences between groups have results in
an observed difference in the independent
variables.
 Types of Descriptive Design
Comparative – involves comparing and contrasting
two or more samples of study subjects on one or
more variables, often at a single point of time.
Specifically, this design is used to compare two
distinct groups on the basis of selected attributes
such as knowledge level, perceptions, and attitudes,
physical or psychological symptoms.
 Types of Descriptive Design
Evaluative – seeks to assess or judge in some
way providing information about something
other than might be gleaned in mere
observation and investigation of relationships.
 Types of Descriptive Design
Methodological - in this approach, the
implementation of a variety of methodologies
forms a critical part of achieving the goal of
developing a scale-matched approach, where
data from different disciplines can be integrated