The document discusses the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative research, highlighting its ability to generate descriptive data and facilitate statistical analysis while also noting challenges like data interpretation difficulties and context deficiency. It categorizes different types of quantitative research, including survey, causal-comparative, and experimental research, providing examples for each. Ultimately, it emphasizes the importance of understanding both the methodological advantages and limitations in conducting quantitative studies.

1. PRACTICAL
RESEARCH
2
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
MURIEL GRACE G. VIERNEZA
November 2019

2. QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH
Strengths and Weaknesses

3. 1. What are the strengths and
weaknesses of quantitative research?
2. What is the importance of quantitative
research (across fields)?
QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH

4. Instructions: Draw a tree. Imagine the tree
bearing good fruits and defective fruits. On the
left-side branches of the tree, write the
strengths of a quantitative research? On the
right side, write the weakness of a quantitative
research?
ATREEWITHGOODANDDEFECTIVE
FRUITS

5. STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
of
QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH

6. Madrigal and McClain (2012), Quantitative
Research strengths are:
 lies on making available descriptive data
 e.g. picture of a community situation
affected by peace conflicts
 provide data that can be communicated in
numeric form
Quantitative Research

7. Madrigal and McClain (2012), Quantitative
Research strengths are:
 can use statistical test in making declarations
about a certain data:
-preference trends; differences between
groups; demographics
Quantitative Research

8. Madrigal and McClain (2012), Quantitative
Research weaknesses are:
 difficulty in interpretation (not valid and not
reliable)
 “data deficiency” as a result of weak
interpretation can “lead to critical errors in the
design”
Quantitative Research

9. Madrigal and McClain (2012), Quantitative
Research weaknesses are:
 “only those with a firm grasp on how the data
would be used & interpreted should conduct
such a study”
 overreliance on the P-value
 Statistical significance – communicates to the researcher
if the results are varied
 Effect size – expresses how much the results carry
some weight (or if they make a difference)
Quantitative Research

10. Strengths and Weaknesses of Quantitative Research
Strengths Weaknesses
 Many kinds of information are
difficult to obtain through
structured data collection
instruments (esp. sensitive topic)
 Many groups are sexual workers,
drug users and such, are always
difficult to reach, but the problems
are often greater for data
collection.
Quantitative Research
 Study findings can be generalized
to the population about which
information is required.
 Samples of individuals,
communities, or organizations can
be selected to ensure that the
results will be representative of the
population being studied.

11. Strengths and Weaknesses of Quantitative Research
Strengths Weaknesses
 Self-reported information obtained
from questionnaires may be
inaccurate or incomplete.
 There is no often no information
on contextual factors to help
interpret results or to explain
variations in behavior between
households with similar economic
and demographic characteristics.
Quantitative Research
 Structural factors that determine
how inequalities (i.e. gender) are
produced can be analyzed.
 Estimates of the magnitude and
distribution of impacts can be
obtained.
 Estimates of the costs and benefits
of interventions can be obtained.

12. Strengths and Weaknesses of Quantitative Research
Strengths Weaknesses
 Studies are expensive and time-
consuming, and even preliminary
results are usually not available for
a long period of time.
 Research
Quantitative Research
 Clear documentation can be
provided regarding the content
and application of the survey
instruments so that the other
researchers can access the validity
of the findings.

13. Quantitative Research
The Defining Features of the Different Types of Quantitative
Research
Type Defining Feature
Survey Research  Intended to acquire information from people concerning the
predominance, distribution , and interrelations of variables
within the identified group of people (Bryman 2008)
 The crossover from research issues to research questions is likely
a result of reading literature pertinent to the subject.

14. Examples of Survey Research
1. Voter preferences
2. Consumer coping behavior
3. Survey on sexual violence against women and girls
in Quezon City
4. Metro Manila survey of adolescence on health
5. ASEAN business outlook survey 2016
6. Survey of ASEAN employers
7. On skills and competitiveness

15. Quantitative Research
The Defining Features of the Different Types of Quantitative
Research
Type Defining Feature
Causal-
comparative/
Quasi-
experimental
Research
 Endeavors to ascertain cause-effect relationships among
variables
 Independent variable is identified but not manipulated
 Effects of the independent variable on the dependent
variable are measured
 It does not randomly assign groups but rather use those
that are naturally formed/pre-existing.
 The recognized control groups exposed to the treatment
variable are compared to groups who are not

16. Examples of Quasi-experimental Research
1. the effect of studying in Catholic schools on the
moral value system of those who graduate from
these schools
2. the effect of good family upbringing to good
performance in class
3. the effect of belonging to a Christian Living
organization on a student’s religiosity
4. the effect of gender of exercising regularly to body
fitness
5. the effect of gender on college course choices

17. Quantitative Research
The Defining Features of the Different Types of Quantitative Research
Type Defining Feature
Experimental
Research
 Termed as “true experimentation”; “laboratory study”
 Applies the scientific method to prove “the cause-effect
relationship among a group of variables that make up a study”
 Any study where an effort is made to identify and impose
control over all other variables except one
 An independent variable which is manipulated to determine
its effects on the dependent variables
 Subjects that are randomly assigned to experimental
treatments rather than identified in naturally occurring groups

18. Examples of Experimental Research
1. the effect of counseling and medical treatment on
alcoholism
2. the effect of support groups on smoking
3. the effect of positive reinforcement on one’s
attitude to excel in school
4. the effect of peer counseling and support group on
a student’s emotional condition
5. the effect of a kind and supportive home room
adviser on the students’ helpfulness

19. EN
D