Qualitative research involves collecting and analyzing non-numerical data (e.g., text, video, or audio) to understand concepts, opinions, or experiences. It can be used to gather in-depth insights into a problem or generate new ideas for research.

1. QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH

2. Research Methods
Two main types:
1. Qualitative Research
2. Quantitative Research

3. “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.Quantitative researchfocuseson gathering numerical
data andgeneralizing it acrossgroups 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 withSPSS. 2nd edition. London: SAGEPublications, 2010.

4. There are four main types of
Quantitative research:
1. Descriptive
2. Corelational
3. Causal-Comparative/Quasi-
Experimental
4. Experimental Research.
Types of Quantitative Research

5. DESCRIPTIVERESEARCH
▪ It describes what exists and may help to uncover new facts and
meaning.The purpose of descriptive research is to observe,
describe, document aspects of a situation asit naturally occurs.
▪ Instruments, we use to obtain data in descriptive studies include
questionnaires, interviews (closed questions), observation
(checklists, etc.)
▪ The characteristics of individuals and groups such as nurses,
patients and families may be the focus of descriptive research. It can
provide a knowledge base which can act asa springboard for other
types of quantitative research methods.

6. CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH
▪ Quantitative correlational research aims to
systematically investigate and explain the nature of
the relationship between variables in the real world.
Often the quantifiable data from descriptive studies
are frequently analysed in thisway.
▪ Correlational research studies go beyond simply
describing what exists and are concerned with
systematically investigating relationships
between two or more variables of interest
(Porter & Carter 2000).

7. Causal-comparative/quasi-experimental research
▪ Quasi-experimental research attempts to establish cause-effect
relationships among the variables.
These types of design are very similar to true experiments, but
with some key differences.
▪ An independent variable is identified but not manipulated by
the experimenter, and effects of the independent variable on
the dependent variable are measured.
▪ It is not the same astrue experimental research because quasi-
experimental research studies lack one or both of the essential
properties of randomisation and a control group.

8. Experimental research
▪ It often called true experimentation, uses the
scientific method to establish the cause-effect
relationship among a group of variables that
make up a study.
▪ The true experiment is often thought of asa
laboratory study, but this is not always the case;a
laboratory setting has nothing to do with it. Atrue
experiment is any study where an effort is made to
identify and impose control over all other variables
except one.

9. Advantages of Quantitative Research
▪ Quantitative research design is an excellent way of finalizing results
and proving or disproving a hypothesis. The structure has not
changed for centuries, so is standard across many scientific fields and
disciplines.
▪ After statistical analysis of the results, a comprehensive answer is
reached, and the results can be legitimately discussed and published.
▪ Quantitative experiments also filter out external factors, if
properly designed, and so the results gained can be seen asreal
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 for follow up research to take.

10. ▪ can be difficult and expensive and require a lot of time to perform.
▪ complete randomization and correct designation of controlgroups.
▪ Quantitative studies usually require extensive statistical analysis, which
can be difficult, due to most scientists not being statisticians.
▪ The requirements for the successful statistical confirmation of results are
very stringent, with very few experiments comprehensively proving a
hypothesis; there is usually some ambiguity, which requires retesting and
refinement to the design.
▪ Quantitative research design also tends to generate only proved or
unproven results, with there being very little room for grey areas and
uncertainty. For the social sciences, education, anthropology and
psychology, human nature is a lot more complex than just a simple yes or
no response.
Disadvantages of Quantitative Research