Grade 12 – Practical Research 2
Pre-Assessment:
TRUE or FALSE. Write QUANTITATIVE after the item when the sentence is true while QUALITATIVE if
the statement is false.
1. In quantitative research, researchers know in advance what they are looking for.
_______________
2. Quantitative research can be easily misinterpreted because it provides numerical data.
______________
3. Quantitative research puts emphasis on proof, rather than discovery. _______________
4. Normative research is conducted by researcher whose aim would be to find out the direction
and/or relationship between different variables or group of respondents under study.
_________________
5. Qualitative research requires a large number of respondents. It assumes that the larger the sample
is, the more statistically accurate the findings are. ___________________
6. Evaluation describes the status of a phenomenon at a particular time. It describes without value
judgment a situation that prevents. _____________________
7. Correlational is conducted by researchers whose aim would be to find out the direction and/or
relationship between different variables or groups of respondents under study.
_____________________
8. Methodological is the implementation of a variety of methodologies that forms a critical part
of achieving the goal of developing a scaled- matched approach, where data from
different disciplines can be integrated. ___________________
9. One characteristics of quantitative research is that its method can be repeated to verify findings in
another setting, thus, reinforcing validity findings. _____________________
10. In quantitative experiments it filters out external factors, if properly designed, and so the
results gained can be seen, as real and unbiased.
Lesson 1: Characteristics, Strengths, Weaknesses, and Kinds of Quantitative Research
Overview
Humans are 'intuitive' scientists are always asking questions and testing theories about themselves, others,
events, the environment and the world around them.
Research is asking a question and finding out the answer...
1. It is looking into something.
2. It is looking for something.
3. It is comparing and contrasting things.
4. It is finding out more information, it is counting things, making inquiries, being
curious, finding out what people think, finding out
what people do, finding out what works, finding out
what doesn't work, finding out what people
Want.
What research have you conducted recently?
1. What decisions have you made about your day?
2. What decisions have you made today?
3. What influenced your decision to take this course?
4. How do you prepare and write assignments?
5. How do you decide how to provide the best quality of service for your service
users?
We all engage in or do social research as we act on the basis and results of our own research
and theorizing, therefore, what we think affects the way we behave....
What do we research?
We research people and their behaviour, opinions, attitudes, trends and patterns, also politics,
animals, health and illness. Research can be conducted either informally for our own benefit, through
asking questions, watching, counting or reading and formally, for medical or academic purposes, as a
marketing strategy, to inform and influence politics and policy.
Research may be carried out in our own lives, through the media, in our place of work, with our friends and
family or through reading past research.
Our views - personal, social, community and worldwide and our own identities are socially constructed
through our own theorizing.
Research gives us information about:
1. Thoughts and opinions
2. Attitudes
3. Habits
4. Culture
5. Norms
6. Scientific facts
7.
information
Medical
What do we do with research?
1. Have it as interesting fact
2. Use it to make decisions
3. Use it to persuade influence others
4. Use it to affect change
5. Use it to change behaviour
6. Use it to better use: medical, improve customer care, write better funding applications, monitor
and evaluate our provision
We research in order to understand society and social processes, as well as to test and or create
theories in order that we are better able to inform about social action and potentially 'improve' social
conditions.
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
Quantitative research is defined by Bryman and Bell (2005, p. 154)
that ‘entailing the collection of numerical data and exhibiting the view of
relationship between theory and research as deductive, a predilection for natural
science approach, and as having an objectivist conception of social reality’.
Quantitative research is influenced by the empiricist paradigm, which means that it
is concerned with cause and effect of social phenomena and uses the data - which is
based on empirical observation and their critical interpretation. Quantitative
research is the systematic empirical investigation of observable phenomena via statistical, mathematical or
computational techniques.
The objective of quantitative research is to develop and employ
mathematical models, theories and/or hypotheses pertaining to phenomena. The
process of measurement is central to quantitative research because it provides the
fundamental connection between empirical observation and mathematical expression
of quantitative relationships. Quantitative data is any data that is in numerical form
such as statistics, percentages, etc. The researcher analyzes the data with the help of
statistics. The researcher is hoping the numbers will yield an unbiased result that can be
generalized to some larger population.
"Qualitative research, on the other hand, asks broad questions and collects word data from
phenomena or participants. The researcher looks for themes and describes the information in themes
and patterns exclusive to that set of participants. "
This research method is used:
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to describe variables;
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to examine relationships among variables;
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to determine cause-and-effect interactions between variables.' (Burns & Grove 2005:23)
Quantitative research is generally made using scientific methods, which can include:
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The development of instruments and methods for measurement
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Experimental control and manipulation of variables
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Collection of empirical data
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Modeling and analysis of data
Use of statistics
Statistics is the most widely used branch of mathematics in
quantitative research outside of the physical sciences, and also finds
applications within the physical sciences.
Quantitative research using statistical methods starts with the
collection of data, based on the hypothesis or theory. Usually a big
sample of data is collected – this would require verification, validation
and recording before the analysis can take place. Software packages such as SPSS and R are typically
used for this purpose.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
Your goal in conducting quantitative research study is
to determine the relationship between one thing [an
independent variable] and another [a dependent or outcome
variable] within a population. Quantitative research designs
are either descriptive [subjects usually measured once] or
experimental [subjects measured before and after a
treatment]. A descriptive study establishes only associations
between variables; an experimental study establishes
causality.
Quantitative research deals in numbers, logic, and an objective stance. Quantitative research focuses on
numeric and unchanging data and detailed, convergent reasoning rather than divergent reasoning [i.e., the
generation of a variety of ideas about a research problem in a spontaneous, free-flowing manner].
Its main characteristics are:
1. OBJECTIVE. Quantitative research seeks accurate measurement and analysis of target concepts. It
is not based on mere intuition and guesses. Data are gathered before proposing a conclusion or solution to
a problem.
2. CLEARLY DEFINED RESEARCH QUESTIONS. The researchers know in advance what they are looking
for. The research questions are well-defined for which objective answers are sought. All aspects of
the study are carefully designed before data are gathered.
3. STRUCTURED RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS. Standardized instruments guide data collection, thus,
ensuring the accuracy, reliability and validity of data. Data are normally gathered using structured research
tools such as questionnaires to collect measurable characteristics of the population like age, socioeconomic
status, number of children, among others.
4. NUMERICAL DATA. Figures, tables or graphs showcase summarized data collection in order to show
trends, relationships or differences among variables. In sum, the charts and tables allow you to see
the evidence collected.
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.
6. REPLICATION. Quantitative methods can be repeated to verify findings in another setting, thus
strengthen and reinforcing validity of findings eliminating the possibility of spurious conclusions.
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.
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The weight of a person (in kilograms)
The height of a person (in metres)
The age of a person (in years and months)
The gender of a person (using a numerical system of categorisation, e.g. 1 for female, 2 for
male)
A person’s education (e.g. number and grade of school certificates; classification of
undergraduate degree)
A person’s political views (e.g. using a scale that goes from 0 for extreme left-wing to 10 for
extreme right-wing)
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
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Allows for a broader study, involving a greater number of
subjects, and enhancing the generalization of the results;
 Allows for greater objectivity and accuracy of results.
Generally, quantitative methods are designed to provide
summaries of data that support generalizations about the
phenomenon under study. In order to accomplish this,
quantitative research usually involves few variables and many
cases, and employs prescribed procedures to ensure validity and reliability;
Applying well-established standards means that the research can be replicated, and then analyzed
and compared with similar studies;
You can summarize vast sources of information and make comparisons across categories and over
time; and,
Personal bias can be avoided by keeping a 'distance' from participating subjects and using accepted
computational techniques.
Quantitative data is more efficient and able to test
hypotheses, but may miss contextual detail;
Uses a static and rigid approach and so employs an
inflexible process of discovery;
The development of standard questions by researchers
can lead to "structural bias" and false representation,
where the data actually reflects the view of the researcher
instead of the participating subject;
Results provide less detail on behavior, attitudes, and motivation;
Researcher may collect a much narrower and sometimes superficial dataset;
Results are limited as they provide numerical descriptions rather than detailed narrative and
generally provide less elaborate accounts of human perception;
The research is often carried out in an unnatural, artificial environment so that a level of control can
be applied to the exercise. This level of control might not normally be in place in the real world thus
yielding "laboratory results" as opposed to "real world results"; and,
Preset answers will not necessarily reflect how people really feel about a subject and, in some
cases, might just be the closest match to the preconceived hypothesis.
KINDS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
Descriptive research is a study designed to depict the participants in an accurate
way. More simply put, descriptive research is all about describing people who
take part in the study.
There are three ways a researcher can go about doing a descriptive research
project, and they are:
 Observational, defined as a method of viewing and recording the
participants
 Case study, defined as an in-depth study of an individual or group of
individuals
 Survey, defined as a brief interview or discussion with an individual about a specific topic
Correlational study is a quantitative method of research in which you
have 2 or more quantitative variables from the same group of
subjects, & you are trying to determine if there is a relationship (or
covariation) between the 2 variables (a similarity between them, not a
difference between their means).
Theoretically, any 2 quantitative variables can be correlated (for
example, midterm scores & number of body piercings!) as long as you
have scores on these variables from the same participants; however, it
is probably a waste of time to collect & analyze data when there is
little reason to think these two variables would be related to each other.
Quasi-experimental design involves selecting groups, upon which a
variable is tested, without any random pre-selection processes.
For example, to perform an educational experiment, a class
might be arbitrarily divided by alphabetical selection or by seating
arrangement. The division is often convenient and, especially in an
educational situation, causes as little disruption as possible.
After this selection, the experiment proceeds in a very similar way to
any other experiment, with a variable being compared between
different groups, or over a period of time.
Experimental research is commonly used in sciences such as sociology
and psychology, physics, chemistry, biology and medicine etc. It is a
collection of research designs which use manipulation and controlled
testing to understand causal processes. Generally, one or more variables
are manipulated to determine their effect on a dependent variable.
The experimental method is a systematic and scientific approach
to research in which the researcher manipulates one or more variables,
and controls and measures any change in other variables.
The word experimental research has a range of definitions. In the strict
sense, experimental research is what we call a true experiment.
This is an experiment where the researcher manipulates one
variable, and control/randomizes the rest of the variables. It has a control group, the subjects have been
randomly assigned between the groups, and the researcher only tests one effect at a time. It is also
important to know what variable(s) you want to test and measure.
RESEARCH 2
ACTIVITY SHEETS
NAME: _____________________________
Note: Pick-up and return schedule of activity sheets will be at 3 PM every Monday.
Activity 1
Direction: Put a tick (/) if it describes the characteristics of a Quantitative Research.
1. Data is in the form of words, pictures and objects.
2. The data is usually gathered using structured research instruments.
3. It is not based upon numerical measurements and does not use numbers and statistical methods
as key research indicators and tools.
4. It tends to be associated with small-scale studies and holistic perspective, often studying a single
occurrence or small number of occurrences/case studies in great depth.
5. The research study can usually be replicated or repeated, given its high reliability.
6. Data are in form of number and statistics, often arranged in tables, charts, figures, or other nontextual forms.
7. Emphasis is on discovery rather than proof.
8. The results are based on larger sample sizes that are representative of the population,
9. It tends to be associated with emergent research design, using a wide range of approaches
10. Researcher has a clearly defined research question to which objective answers are sought.
Activity 2
Answer the following questions comprehensively.
1. Discuss the strengths of a Quantitative Research.
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2. Discuss the weaknesses of a Quantitative Research.
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3. Describe the following Kinds of Quantitative Research.
a.Descriptive
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b. Correlational_______________________________________________________________________________________
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c. Quasi-experimental _______________________________________________________________________________________
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d. Experimental _______________________________________________________________________________________
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Activity 2
RESEARCH WORK. Research 15 different titles of research in a research reports and classify them to any of
the research designs we have discussed. Choose only quantitative research titles. Follow the format below.
RESEARCH TITLE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Activity 3
MATCHING TYPE. Match item in COLUMN A with those of COLUMN B
COLUMN A
1. the posttest of the treated groups is compared
with that of an untreated group
2. a test of children in school is used to assess the
effectiveness of teaching or the deployment of a
curriculum
COLUMN B
A. Normative
B. Survey
C. Census
D. Evaluative
E. Comparative
3. useful when the objective of the study is to see
general picture of the population under investigation
in terms of their social and economic
characteristics, opinions, and their knowledge
about the behavior towards a
certain phenomenon
4. conducting a research on the study habits of
the high school students you are to use the range
of score to describe the level of their study habits
5. discusses why and how a phenomenon occurs
6. selecting groups, upon which a variable is
tested, without any random pre-selection processes
7. uses correlation coefficient to show how one
variable (the predictor variable) predicts another
(the criterion variable)
8. employs both treated and control groups to deal
with time-related rival explanations
9. it obtains score from two variables for each subject,
and then uses them to calculate a correlation
coefficient
10.term that seems synonymous to survey research
F. Ex-post facto
G. Descriptive
H. Correlational
I. Bivariate Correlational
J. Prediction
K. Multiple Regression
L. Pre-Experimental
M. Quasi Experimental
N. True Experimental