Quantitative research involves collecting and analyzing numerical data to find patterns, make predictions, test relationships, and generalize results. It uses methods like experiments, surveys, and systematic observations to gather data that can then be statistically analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics to answer research questions. Common quantitative methods include experiments to test the effect of independent variables, surveys to collect data using rating scales, and systematic observations to monitor behaviors in natural settings.

1. Quantitative Research
An introduction to

2. Quantitative research is the process of collecting and analyzing
numerical data.
It can be used to find patterns and averages, make predictions,
test causal relationships, and generalize results to wider
populations.
Quantitative research is the opposite of qualitative research,
which involves collecting and analyzing non-numerical data
(e.g., text, video, or audio).
WHAT IS QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH?

3. Quantitative research methods
Method How to use Example
Experiment Control or manipulate
an independent
variable to measure
its effect on a
dependent variable.
To test whether the use of videos
increases students’ concept
understanding, you can teach
two equal groups of students, one
group using videos and the other
group without videos. Test students
student understanding of both
groups using the same test paper.

4. Quantitative research methods
Method How to use Example
Survey Ask questions of a
group of people in-
person, over-the-
phone or online.
You distribute questionnaires with
rating scales to college students to
investigate their study habits.

5. Quantitative research methods
Method How to use Example
Systematic or
observation
Identify a behavior or
occurrence of interest
and monitor it in its
natural setting.
To study college classroom
participation in the class, you sit in
the classroom to observe them,
counting and recording the
prevalence of active and passive
behaviors by students from
different backgrounds.

6. Quantitative data analysis
� Once data is collected, you may need to process it before it can be
analyzed. For example, survey and test data may need to be
transformed from words to numbers. Then, you can use statistical analysis
to answer your research questions.
� Descriptive statistics will give you a summary of your data and include
measures of averages and variability. You can also use graphs, charts
and frequency tables to visualize your data and check for any trends.
� Inferential statistics can be used to make predictions or generalizations
based on your data. Inferential statistics are used to investigate
relationships between two or more things.