PR2 study guide.docx

**Qualities of quantitative research** - **Quantitative research** -- deals with numerical values and how they can describe a phenomenon or infer a relationship, It is the go-to approach for scientific inquiry because of its ability to test **hypotheses** - **Variables** -- basis o...

**Qualities of quantitative research** - **Quantitative research** -- deals with numerical values and how they can describe a phenomenon or infer a relationship, It is the go-to approach for scientific inquiry because of its ability to test **hypotheses** - **Variables** -- basis of formulating and testing hypotheses, traits that numerically describe or give meaning to an object, phenomenon, or a group of people - **Independent variable** -- variable that is manipulated - **Dependent variable** -- depends on the independent variable **Characteristics of quantitative research** - **Controllability** -- should be in an environment where all variables are identified and can be controlled - **Generalizability** -- larger sample sizes that the results are based on as a representative of the population - **Objectivity** -- the results of the data are observable and measurable using structured instruments - **Replicability** -- the research should be replicable by other teams of researchers that will eventually come up with similar outcomes **Strengths of quantitative research** - Analysis of data is assisted with statistical methods - Large-scale research can be undertaken - Data can be presented in graphical or tabular form **Weaknesses of quantitative research** - A large sample size requires time and effort - Statistical analysis of data requires an expert to perform - Quantifying and reducing observation to numerical values makes it too simplistic - The experimental and non-experimental types of quantitative research depend on the **topic** and the **nature** of the problem being investigated **Types of quantitative research** **Experimental** - **True experimental research** -- identify a cause-effect relationship between the variables where the sample are randomized **Non-experimental** - **Descriptive research** -- focuses on the description of factors, variables, or phenomena that occur in nature - **Comparative research** -- (causal-comparative research), its primary objective is to compare two variables in order to identify whether there exists a causative relationship between them, usually involves two or more groups and one independent variable - **Correlational research** -- compare two variables then identify the relationship between them - **Quasi-experimental research** - mirrors experimental research, but it is not true experimental research, it does not use random samples but assigned samples - Quantitative research may either be **correlational** or **causal** In general, quantitative research focuses on the following: - Collection of observable and measurable data - Standardized data collection instruments - Statistical techniques in data analysis - **Correlational vs Causal** - **Correlational** -- Involves identifying relationship between two variables - **Causal** -- Looks at causes and effects, refers to a claim that a change in one variable creates a change in another variable. - **Correlational** looks at the following: - Whether an association exists between the variables - Magnitude of the existing association between two variables - Direction of association between two variables - Often used in quantitative research in **social sciences** - In **psychology**, it is used to look at patterns and association of human behavior - In **economics**, it is used to determine what affects, or is affected by certain economic variables - In **political science**, it is used to study whether an association exist between different political values - **Causal research** - Often used in studying **natural sciences** - In chemistry, **causal research** is applied in the conduct of experiments to see whether a change in one substance affect the characteristics of another substance. - **Survey research vs Experimental research** - **Survey research** -- type of correlational research, this design uses **questionnaire** as its main data collection tool. - **Experimental research** -- is aimed at causation - **Survey research** Main components: - **Survey design** -- It may be cross-sectional or longitudinal A. **Cross sectional survey** -- acquires information at one point in time B. **Longitudinal survey** -- acquires information at multiple points in time to compare, contrast, and assess changes in responses - **Population and sample** A. **Population** -- general group of people with similar characteristic B. **Sample** -- sub group of the population that is chosen, either randomly or purposively - **Survey instrument** -- also called **questionnaire**, contains close ended question with fixed answers, it may ask about **behavior, attitudes/beliefs/ opinion, characteristics, expectation, self-classification, or knowledge** - **Data analysis and interpretation** -- both descriptive and inferential A. **Descriptive Analysis** -- provides a general report of the results of the survey B. **Inferential Analysis** -- makes comparison among the survey results to establish and explain relationships - **Experimental research** -- is a type of quantitative research that is aimed at causation Main components: - **Respondents** -- respondents are selected and differentiated into groups A. **Experimental group** -- receives the experimental treatment or intervention B. **Control group** -- assess the similarities or difference with the results drawn from the experimental group - **Variable** -- independent and dependent variable A. **Independent variable** -- the treatment variable. It causes and explains the effect B. **Dependent variable** -- the outcome variable. It is the effect; it is the response to the application of or changes in the independent variable