Unit 1: Nature of Quantitative Research

Focuses on the qualities, characteristics, variables, and different types of quantitative research including experimental and non-experimental designs.

Fibonacci sequence

Numerical sequences found in natural patterns, such as the spirals in shells or tree branches.

Quantitative Research

A type of research that deals with numerical values and how they can describe a phenomenon or infer a relationship.

Variables

Traits that numerically describe or give meaning to an object, phenomenon, or group of people.

Independent Variable

The variable that is manipulated, especially in experiments.

Dependent Variable

The variable that depends on the independent variable.

Controllability

A characteristic of quantitative research where all variables are identified and controlled to ensure only the independent variable affects the dependent variable.

Generalizability

The extent to which results from larger sample sizes can be considered representative of the entire population.

Objectivity

The quality of data being observable and measurable using structured instruments, showing the research is likely accurate and not influenced by personal opinions.

Replicability

The ability of a research study to be repeated by other teams of researchers to produce similar outcomes, ensuring reliability and validity.

Simplistic Nature

A weakness of quantitative research where quantifying and reducing complex human experiences to numerical values may not fully capture depth, emotions, or context.

True Experimental Research

An experimental design whose primary objective is to identify a cause-effect relationship between variables using randomized samples.

Quasi-Experimental Research

A type of research that investigates the relationship between variables using assigned or pre-existing groups rather than randomized samples.

Descriptive Research

A nonexperimental research design that focuses on observing, summarizing, and describing factors, variables, or phenomena without manipulating variables.

Comparative Research

Also called causal-comparative research, it aims to compare two or more groups to identify if a causative relationship exists.

Correlational Research

A nonexperimental research design with the primary objective of comparing two variables to identify the relationship between them.

Effect

A word used in research titles that is indicative of a cause-and-effect relationship attributed to comparative, experimental, or quasi-experimental studies.

Relationship (or Correlation)

A clue word in research titles indicating that the study is either comparative or correlational in nature.

Sample Size

The number of participants in a study; in quantitative research, larger samples are better at estimating the true values of a population.

Statistical Analysis

A method used in quantitative research to assist in data analysis, which often requires an expert to perform.