Quantitative Methods of Research-Intro to research Once a researcher has written the research question, the next step is to determine the appropriate research methodology necessary to study the question. The three main types of research design methods are qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods. Quantitative research involves the systematic collection and analysis of data.

1. Quantitative
Methods of
Research

2. Once a researcher has written the research question, the
next step is to determine the appropriate research
methodology necessary to study the question. The three
main types of research design methods are qualitative,
quantitative and mixed methods.

4.  What is Research
 Types of research
 Thesis or dissertations
 Parts of thesis
 Research problem
 Sources of research problem

5. Research
 Research is a process of investigation -- an examination of a subject from
different points of view.
 It’s not just a trip to the library to pick up a stack of materials, or picking
the first five hits from a computer search.
 Research is a hunt for the truth.
 It is getting to know a subject by reading up on it, reflecting, playing with
the ideas, choosing the areas that interest you and following up on them.
 Research is the way you educate yourself.
https://www.usg.edu/galileo/skills/unit01/infoage01_03.phtml

6. Research
 Research 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.
https://www.hampshire.edu/dof/what-is-research

7. Research
 Research is the collection and evaluation of information
about a particular subject. The overarching purpose of
research is to answer questions and generate new
knowledge.
https://www.thoughtco.com/research-essays-and-reports-169204

8. Research
 Research is a process to discover new knowledge.
 Research is different than other forms of discovering
knowledge (like reading a book) because it uses a
systematic process called the Scientific Method.
https://ori.hhs.gov/module-1-introduction-what-research

9. Scientific Method
 The Scientific Method consists of
observing the world around you and
creating a hypothesis about
relationships in the world.
 A hypothesis is an informed and
educated prediction or explanation
about something. Part of the
research process involves testing
the hypothesis, and then examining

10. Scientific Method
 When a researcher forms a hypothesis, this acts
like a map through the research study. It tells
the researcher which factors are important to
study and how they might be related to each
other or caused by a manipulation that the
researcher introduces (e.g. a program,
treatment or change in the environment).
 With this map, the researcher can interpret the
information he/she collects and can make
sound conclusions about the results.

11. Scientific Method

12. Types of Research
Two broad approaches to research are commonly
recognized, though these different approaches may
overlap.
- Quantitative
- Qualitative

13. Types of Research
 Quantitative research involves the systematic
collection and analysis of data.
 Qualitative research involves "the studied use and
collection of a variety of empirical materials," which
may include "case study, personal experience,
introspection, life story, interviews, artifacts, [and]
cultural texts and productions" (The SAGE Handbook of
Qualitative Research, 2005).
 Finally, mixed-method research (sometimes
called triangulation) has been defined as the
incorporation of various qualitative and quantitative
strategies within a single project.

14. Other types of research…
 Sociology Professor Russell Schutt observes that
"deductive research begins at the point of
theory, inductive research begins with data but ends
with theory, and descriptive research begins with data
and ends with empirical generalizations"
 [Investigating the Social World, 2012]

15. Types of Research
 In the words of psychology professor Wayne Weiten, "No
single research method is ideal for all purposes and
situations. Much of the ingenuity in research involves
selecting and tailoring the method to the question at
hand" (Psychology: Themes and Variations, 2014).

16. Types of Quantitative
ResearchThere are four (4) main types of quantitative designs:
 Descriptive
 Correlational
 quasi-experimental, and
 experimental.
https://cirt.gcu.edu/research/developmentresources/research_ready/quan
tresearch/approaches

17. A Descriptive Design seeks to
describe the current status of
a variable or phenomenon.
The researcher does not begin
with a hypothesis, but
typically develops one after
the data is collected. Data
collection is mostly
observational in nature.

18. A Correlational
Design explores the
relationship between variables
using statistical analyses.
However, it does not look for
cause and effect and
therefore, is also mostly
observational in terms of data
collection.

19.  A Quasi-Experimental Design (often referred to as
Causal-Comparative) seeks to establish a cause-effect
relationship between two or more variables. The
researcher does not assign groups and does not
manipulate the independent variable. Control groups
are identified and exposed to the variable. Results are
compared with results from groups not exposed to the
variable.

20.  Experimental Designs, often called true
experimentation, use the scientific method to establish
cause-effect relationship among a group of variables in
a research study. Researchers make an effort to control
for all variables except the one being manipulated (the
independent variable). The effects of the independent
variable on the dependent variable are collected and
analyzed for a relationship.

22. When deciding on the appropriate approach or design,
the Decision Tree below may be helpful.

23. More on Quantitative
research…
 Quantitative methods are used to examine the
relationship between variables with the primary goal
being to analyze and represent that relationship
mathematically through statistical analysis.
 This is the type of research approach most commonly
used in scientific research problems.

24. Following is a list of
characteristics and advantages of
using quantitative methods: The data collected is numeric, allowing for collection of data from a
large sample size.
 Statistical analysis allows for greater objectivity when reviewing
results and therefore, results are independent of the researcher.
 Numerical results can be displayed in graphs, charts, tables and other
formats that allow for better interpretation.

25.  Data analysis is less time-consuming and can often be done using
statistical software.
 Results can be generalized if the data are based on random samples
and the sample size was sufficient.
 Data collection methods can be relatively quick, depending on the
type of data being collected.
 Numerical quantitative data may be viewed as more credible and
reliable, especially to policy makers, decision makers, and
administrators.

26. Examples of research questions where
quantitative methods may be
appropriately applied: How often do Principals consults the internet for
reference when making decisions?
 What is the difference in the number of hours spent
in studying between male and female high school
students?
 What percentage of elementary teachers are having
Outstanding performance?
 What are the top 5 factors that influence a student’s
choice of college or university?

27. Main Types of Qualitative Research
Case study
Attempts to shed light on a phenomena by studying in-depth a
single case example of the phenomena. The case can be an
individual person, an event, a group, or an institution.
Grounded theory
To understand the social and psychological processes that
characterize an event or situation.
Phenomenology
Describes the structures of experience as they present themselves
to consciousness, without recourse to theory, deduction, or
assumptions from other disciplines
http://wilderdom.com/OEcourses/PROFLIT/Class6Qualitative1.htm

28. Main Types of Qualitative
Research…Ethnography
Focuses on the sociology of meaning through close field
observation of sociocultural phenomena. Typically, the
ethnographer focuses on a community.
Historical
Systematic collection and objective evaluation of data
related to past occurrences in order to test hypotheses
concerning causes, effects, or trends of these events
that may help to explain present events and anticipate
future events. (Gay, 1996)
http://wilderdom.com/OEcourses/PROFLIT/Class6Qualitative1.ht

29. What’s a thesis?
An undergraduate thesis?
A Master’s thesis?

30. Basic Thesis and Dissertation
Differences The main difference between a thesis and a dissertation is when they are
completed.
 The thesis is a project that marks the end of a master's program, while
the dissertation occurs during doctoral study.
 The two are actually quite different in their purpose, as well.

31. Basic Thesis and Dissertation
Differences A thesis is a compilation of research that proves you are knowledgeable
about the information learn throughout your graduate program.
 A dissertation is your opportunity during a doctorate program to
contribute new knowledge, theories or practices to your field. The point is
to come up with an entirely new concept, develop it and defend its worth.

32. Parts of a thesis
 The problem
 Review of literature
 Methodology
 Presentation, analysis and interpretation of data
 Findings
 Conclusions
 Recommendations
 Bibliography

33. The problem includes…
 Rationale (introduction or background of the study)
 Conceptual framework
 Statement of the problem
 Hypothesis
 Significance of the study
 Scope and delimitation
 Significance of the study
 Operational Definitions

34. Methodology includes…
 Research design
 Respondents or participants of the study
 Locale of the study
 Sampling techniques
 Statistical tools or treatment
 Data gathering tools
 Data gathering procedures

35. Research problem
 A research problem is a definite or clear
expression or statement about an area of
concern, a condition to be improved upon, a
difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling
question that exists in scholarly literature, in
theory, or within existing practice that points to
a need for meaningful understanding and
deliberate investigation.
 A research problem does not state how to do
something, offer a vague or broad proposition,
or present a value question.

36. Research problem
 A research problem is a statement about an
area of concern, a condition to be improved, a
difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling
question that exists in scholarly literature, in
theory, or in practice that points to the need
for meaningful understanding and deliberate
investigation.
 In some social science disciplines, the research
problem is typically posed in the form of a
question.

37. Sources of a research problem
 Personal or professional experience
 Theory or intellelctual claim
 Literature and the media
 Specialization
 Program being pursued
 Analysis of an area or existing needs
 Offshoot from studies
 Existing practices and needs (work-related)
 Completed studies

38. Exercises
 Visit the library
 Scan thesis and dissertations
 Evaluate whether one employed the quantitative design
or approach
 Find out what is it? Descriptive, experimental, quasi-
experimental or correlational?
 Choose 1 study and be ready to report in class your
evaluation.