This document discusses quantitative research methods, including learning analytics data sources like grades, forum posts, resource clicks and video watch times. It covers questionnaires, Likert scales, developing accurate scales, advantages like ease of analysis, disadvantages like oversimplification. It recommends identifying and removing mistakes from survey responses like incomplete answers. Data analysis is discussed, like interpreting average results on a scale. Other tests mentioned are correlations, regressions, t-tests and ANOVA. Ensuring valid educational research is challenging given potential confounding variables from human diversity. Lab studies also have limitations.

1. Quantitative
Research
BRENDA CECILIA PADILLA RODRÍGUEZ

2. Data sources
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3. Learning Analytics
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▪ Grades
▪ Posts in discussion forums
▪ Clicks on different resources
▪ Time when students’ stop
watching videos (fun fact: 6 min,
approx.)

4. Questionnaires
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5. Likert Scales
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6. Activity: Likert Scale
▪ Check the following Likert scale.
▪ How many errors can you find?
▪ Discuss them in your small group.
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https://tinyurl.com/likert-oops

7. Developing an accurate
Likert scale is a process.
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8. What is an advantage
of Likert scales?
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9. What is a disadvantage
of Likert scales?
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10. Ok. So we applied a
Likert scale, got some
answers… What now?
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11. One column per item,
one row per participant
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12. Identify and get rid of mistakes
 People who did not agree to answer the survey (?!)
 Duplications
 Severely incomplete answers
 Strange or inconsistent answers
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13. Activity: Data analysis
▪ Check the following answers to a Likert scale.
▪ How would you analyse it?
▪ Discuss the interpretation of your findings in your group.
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https://tinyurl.com/likert-analysis

14. 14
What does it mean to
have a result such as
an average of 3.4?

15. We need points of reference...
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16. …or frequencies or percentages.
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17. Other tests
▪ Correlations
▪ Regressions
▪ Student’s t-test
▪ ANOVA
▪ And more!
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18. A final note…
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▪Ensuring the validity of
educational research can
be challenging.
▪How do we control
extraneous variables?

19. (CONSIDER: We are humans, diverse, evolving.
There are many potentially confounding variables)
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20. Lab studies also have downsides…
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21. Quantitative
Research
@BRENDAPADILLA