PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2 NOTES LESSON 1 CHARACTERISTICS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH ITS STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSESS

1. Lesson 1 Characteristics of Quantitative Research
Quantitative research is a unique type of research. Knowing more about the salient features of
quantitative research will help you enhance your knowledge. What do you think are the characteristics of
quantitative research? What makes it different from other types of research? In this lesson, you will be
introduced to the unique features or characteristics of quantitative research.
Connecting to the Past
Direction: This test will measure the knowledge you learned previously. Complete the puzzle below by
writing the correct term described in each item. Write your answer in your answer sheet.
Puzzle:
1. In research, it refers to a process of finding answer to
questions.
2. It pertains to factual information used as a basis for
reasoning, discussion, or calculation.
3. In research, it refers to a person who carries out
academic or scientific research.
4. It is a process of systematic inquiry that entails
collection of data; documentation of critical
information; and analysis and interpretation of that
data/information, in accordance with suitable
methodologies set by specific professional fields and
academic disciplines.
5. It is a type of research that collects and works with
non-numerical data and that seeks to interpret
meaning from these data that help understand social
life through the study of targeted populations or place
Gearing Up to Start
Activity 1. Choose wisely!
Direction: Read carefully the statement below about the characteristics of quantitative research. Look for
the highlighted word/s. Select the word/s that is synonymous or closely related to it. Choose the letter of
your answer from the given choices. Choose wisely. Write your answer in your answer sheet.
1. Quantitative research seeks accurate measurement and analysis of target concepts. It is objective and
not subjective.
A. biases B. opinions C. factual
2. In quantitative research, the research-questions are clearly defined for which objective answers are
sought.
A. vague B. comprehensive C. confusing
3. Standardized instruments guide data collection in quantitative research. This ensures the accuracy,
reliability, and validity of data.
A.correctness B. inconsistent C. deficient
4. The replicability of quantitative research means that quantitative methods can be repeated to verify
findings in another setting which strengthens and reinforces validity of findings.
A. evident B. reproducible C. sufficiency
5. In quantitative research, data are normally gathered using structured research tools such as
questionnaires to collect measurable characteristics of the population like age, socio-economic status,
number of children, etc.
A. organized B. fragmented C. separated

2. Characteristics of Quantitative Research (Basilio, 2020)
1. It is objective.
Quantitative research seeks accurate measurement and analysis of target concepts. It is not based on
mere intuition and guesses. Objectiveness in research means it is based on factual data that are expressed
numerically.
2. It has 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 carefully designed before data are gathered.
3. Research instruments used are structured.
Standardized research 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, socio-economic status, number of children, among
others.
4. It involves the collection of 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 that are
numerical in form.
5. It uses 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.
6. Research methods used can be replicated.
Quantitative methods can be repeated to verify findings in another setting, thus, strengthening and
reinforcing validity of findings eliminating the possibility of spurious (false) conclusions.
7. It can predict 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.
Checklist on the Characteristics of Quantitative Research
1. Quantitative research is objective in nature.
2. It involves personal interest and opinion thus establishing subjectivity.
3. It has well-defined research questions.
4. It involves non-numerical and verbal data.
5. It uses standardized research instruments in collecting data.
6. It uses numerical data.
7. Oftentimes, it utilizes small sample sizes.
8. In quantitative research, the methods used in the study can be replicated to verify findings in another
setting.
9. Quantitative research can help predict future outcomes.
10. Quantitative research uses large sample sizes.
Relating to Real Life
Direction: Read carefully the situation given below. Answer the question that follows. Write your answer in
your answer sheet.
Scenario:
Yuno is a Grade 12 transferee student of Malaya National High School. He is new to the subject
Practical Research 2. His research teacher gave the class an advance assignment to identify the
characteristics of quantitative research. They are all provided with a checklist to accomplish and submit the
next day. Which item numbers in the checklist must be checked by Yuno that correctly refers to the
characteristics of quantitative research?

3. Checking the Target
Direction. Read carefully the statement given in each item. Write OK if it describes the characteristics
of quantitative research and NOT OK if it does not describe the characteristic of quantitative
research. Write your answer in your answer sheet.
1. Quantitative research involves gathering, analyzing, and interpreting numerical data.
2. The data are gathered using structured research instruments.
3. The data interpretation in this type of research is very subjective in nature.
4. Quantitative research involves large sample sizes to arrive at a more reliable data analysis.
5. In quantitative research, data gathered by the researcher is in non-numerical form.
6. Quantitative research uses methods that can be replicated to verify findings in a different setting.
7. Research questions formulated in quantitative research are clearly defined and seek specific
answers that are objective in nature.
8. Future outcomes can be predicted based on findings derived from the study.
9. Quantitative research does not use mathematical tools to analyze the data.
10. Quantitative researches are objective in nature and promote the establishment of accurate
measurements of data to be collected.
Trying the Challenge
Directions: Read carefully the statement provided below. Write STRENGTH if the statement in each
item describes the strengths of quantitative research and WEAKNESS if the statement describes the
weaknesses of quantitative research. Write your answer in your answer sheet.
1. In quantitative research, the researcher collects numerical data that cannot be easily misinterpreted
and is not prone to biases.
2. The use of statistical techniques in this type of research facilitates sophisticated analyses and allows
the researcher to comprehend a huge amount of vital characteristics of data.
3. In quantitative research, the data gathered and analyzed by the researcher is real, factual, and
unbiased.
4. Quantitative researches use standardized approaches that allow the study to be replicated in
different areas over time with formulation of comparable findings.
5. Quantitative research is costly and expensive since it requires a large number of respondents in
order to come up with reliable and valid results.
6. Quantitative research focuses on finding answers to a specific question only. It does not care about
the deeper meaning or reason behind the responses of the respondents of the study.
7. In quantitative research, the individual characteristics of the respondents being studied by the
researcher do not always apply to the general population.
8. In this type of research, the researcher uses statistical techniques to ensure a more reliable and valid
analysis of data that is free from any form of biases.
9. In quantitative research, after all data were collected and analyzed by the researcher, there is no
access to specific feedback that will enable researchers to communicate the gaps to the respondents
for positive refinement.
10. Quantitative research works well when a verifiable environment is available for study. However,
there are instances that the research creates unnatural scenario that can contribute to falsified answers
from the participants.
11. Large-scale quantitative researches to be conducted by researchers become impossible due to lack
of resources that should come from the government or non-government agencies.
12. Quantitative research method involves structured questionnaire with close ended questions. This
leads to limited outcomes outlined in the research.
13. The research performed with the quantitative research approach is anonymous. The responses and
the identity of the respondents of the study are kept confidential and private in compliance to the ethical
standards that must be followed in conducting research involving human participation.
14. Researchers collect information quickly when using quantitative research. Experiments, surveys,
and interviews provide immediate answers that become useful for a data-centered approach.
15. Quantitative research uses randomized samples to collect information. This excludes bias from
appearing in the data collection process.