Understanding Data and Ways to
Systematically Collect Data
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the topic the students should be able to:
• 1. Discuss the quantitative research;
• 2. Discuss the areas of quantitative research; and
• 3. Discuss the most common quantitative research.
.
• A lot of data from different sources preoccupy your mind as you
go through the several stages of research. To understand the
data; that is, to find meanings in them in relation to your study,
you have conduct an orderly manner of gathering, identifying,
and grouping tem. A set-by-set arrangement of facts and
information is a must in research, because in arriving at a
conclusion about your study on the basis of the collected data,
you don‟t only deal with lone proof or evidence but also with
several proofs hinging upon a common theme, concept or
theory. (Baraceros, 2017)
The Quantitative Research
• Quantitative methods emphasize objective measurements and
the statistical, mathematical, or numerical analysis of data collected
through polls, questionnaires, and surveys, or by manipulating preexisting statistical data using computational techniques. Quantitative
research focuses on gathering numerical data and generalizing it
across groups of people or to explain a particular phenomenon.
(Babbie, Earl R. The Practice of Social Research. 12th ed. Belmont,
CA: Wadsworth Cengage, 2010; Muijs, Daniel. Doing Quantitative
Research in Education with SPSS. 2nd edition. London: SAGE
Publications, 2010.)
• Our 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:
• The data is usually gathered using structured research instruments.
• The results are based on larger sample sizes that are representative of the population.
• The research study can usually be replicated or repeated, given its high reliability.
• Researcher has a clearly defined research question to which objective answers are
sought.
• All aspects of the study are carefully designed before data is collected.
• Data are in the form of numbers and statistics, often arranged in tables, charts, figures, or
other non-textual forms.
• Project can be used to generalize concepts more widely, predict future results, or
investigate causal relationships.
• Researcher uses tools, such as questionnaires or computer software, to collect numerical
data.
The overarching aim of a quantitative research study is to classify features,
count them, and construct statistical models in an attempt to explain what is
observed.
Things to keep in mind when reporting the results of a study using
quantitative methods:
1. Explain the data collected and their statistical treatment as well as all
relevant results in relation to the research problem you are investigating.
Interpretation of results is not appropriate in this section.
2. Report unanticipated events that occurred during your data collection.
Explain how the actual analysis differs from the planned analysis.
Explain your handling of missing data and why any missing data does
not undermine the validity of your analysis.
3. Explain the techniques you used to "clean" your data set.
4. Choose a minimally sufficient statistical procedure; provide a rationale for
its use and a reference for it. Specify any computer programs used.
5. Describe the assumptions for each procedure and the steps you took to
ensure that they were not violated.
6. When using inferential statistics, provide the descriptive statistics,
confidence intervals, and sample sizes for each variable as well as the value
of the test statistic, its direction, the degrees of freedom, and the
significance level [report the actual p value].
7. Avoid inferring causality, particularly in nonrandomized designs or without
further experimentation.
8. Use tables to provide exact values; use figures to convey global effects.
Keep figures small in size; include graphic representations of confidence
intervals whenever possible.
9. Always tell the reader what to look for in tables and figures.
Areas and Most Common Quantitative Research
• Quantitative research is a type of empirical investigation. That means the
research focuses on verifiable observation as opposed to theory or logic.
Most often this type of research is expressed in numbers. A researcher will
represent and manipulate certain observations that they are studying.
They will attempt to explain what it is they are seeing and what affect it has
on the subject. They will also determine and what the changes may reflect.
The overall goal is to convey numerically what is being seen in the
research and to arrive at specific and observable conclusions.
• If you‟re going to be conducting quantitative research, you might want to
check out Udemy‟s course on writing an effective research paper. There
you will find information to help you understand how to conduct your own
research, as well as how to interpret the research of others and arrange it
into a cohesive paper.
• There are four basic types of quantitative research: survey, correlational,
causal-comparative, and experimental. But we must first understand how
quantitative research works.
How Quantitative Research Works
• To better understand this style of research we need to break down its major tenets. There are
three: observing and explaining something that happens, collecting information, and
analyzing the information. The combination of these three parts is at work when presenting
clear and well-researched findings.
• Observing and explaining occurrences is the first step. The search for this explanation can be
presented in the form of a question. It can also be expressed as a hypothesis. In the case of
a hypothesis the search for an explanation is made as a statement to be proved of disproved
– depending on the goals of your research.
• The collection of information in quantitative research is what sets it apart from other types.
Quantitative research is focused specifically on numerical information, also known as „data.‟
Because the research requires its conductor to use mathematical analysis to investigate what
is being observed, the information collected must be in numbers.
• The last step of the research revolves around using mathematics to analyze the „data‟
collected. This is done with statistics. When most people think about quantitative research
they think specifically about statistics. You might want to check out Udemy‟s Introductory
Statistics course. It can help you to better understand how to crunch numbers for better
quantitative research practices.
Survey Research
• Survey research uses interviews, questionnaires, and sampling polls to get a sense of
behavior with intense precision. It allows researchers to judge behavior and then present
the findings in an accurate way. This is usually expressed in a percentage. Survey
research can be conducted around one group specifically or used to compare several
groups. When conducting survey research it is important that the people questioned are
sampled at random. This allows for more accurate findings across a greater spectrum of
respondents.
• It is very important when conducting survey research that you work with statisticians and
field service agents who are reputable. Since there is a high level of personal interaction
in survey scenarios as well as a greater chance for unexpected circumstances to occur, it
is possible for the data to be affected. This can heavily influence the outcome of the
survey.
• There are several ways to conduct survey research. They can be done in person, over the
phone, or through mail or email. In the last instance they can be self-administered. When
conducted on a single group survey research is its own category. However survey
research can be applied to the other types of research listed below.
• You‟ve probably taken part in several survey research projects, since they are extremely
common. Have you ever received a receipt from a store or restaurant where you‟re asked
to call a number at the bottom to participate in a survey and be entered to win? Have you
ever been asked to “stay on the line” to answer a few questions after an experience with a
customer service rep? Have you ever been asked to give your thoughts after visiting a
website? These are all examples of survey research.
Correlational Research
• Correlational research tests for the relationships between two
variables. Performing correlational research is done to establish
what the affect of one on the other might be and how that affects
the relationship. Correlational research is conducted in order to
explain a noticed occurrence. In correlational research the survey
is conducted on a minimum of two groups. In most correlational
research there is a level of manipulation involved with the specific
variables being researched. Once the information is compiled it is
then analyzed mathematically to draw conclusions about the affect
that one has on the other.
• Remember, correlation does not always mean causation. For
example, just because two data points sync doesn‟t mean that
there is a direct cause and effect relationship. Typically, you
should not make assumptions from correlational research alone.
Causal-Comparative Research
• Causal-comparative research looks to uncover a cause and effect
relationship. This research is not conducted between the two groups on
each other. Rather than look solely for a statistical relationship between
two variables it tries to identify, specifically, how the different groups are
affected by the same circumstance. Causal-comparative research involves
„comparison.‟ In causal-comparative research the study of two or more
groups is done without focusing on their relationship. As always the use of
statistical analysis is engaged to synthesize the data in a clear method for
presentation.
Experimental Research
• Though questions may be posed in the other forms of research,
experimental research is guided specifically by a hypothesis. Sometimes
experimental research can have several hypotheses. A hypothesis is a
statement to be proven or disproved. Once that statement is made
experiments are begun to find out whether the statement is true or not.
This type of research is the bedrock of most sciences, in particular the
natural sciences. If natural sciences, such as biology, are something you
are interested in you should check out Udemy‟s course on writing an A+
Biology Paper. It will help you use the types of quantitative research to
great effect (https://blog.udemy.com/types-of-quantitative-research/)
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