Quantitative Research Methods

Quantitative methodology

is the dominant research framework in the social sciences. It refers to a set of strategies, techniques, and assumptions used to study psychological, social, and economic processes through the exploration of numeric pattern.

It gathers a range of numeric data.

• Descriptive

• Correlational

• Experimental Research

• Causal-Comparative/Quasi-Experimental

Main Types of Quantitative Approaches to Research

Descriptive Research

• seeks to describe the current status of an identified variable. These research projects are designed to provide systematic information about a phenomenon. 

• designed to provide systematic information about a phenomenon

• A description of how second-grade students spend their time during summer vacation

• A description of the tobacco use habits of teenagers

• A description of how parents feel about the twelve-motnh school year

• a descripton of the kinds of physical activites that typically occur in nursing homes, and how frequently each occurs

• A description of the extent to which elementary teachers use math manipulatives

Examples of descriptive research

Correlational Research

• It attemps to determine the extent of a relationshup between two or more variables using statistical data

• In this type of design, relationshups between and among anumber of facts are sought and interpreted

• recognize trends and patterns in data, but it does not go so far in its analysis to prove causes for these observed patterns”

• the data, relationships, and distributions of variables are studied only

• variables are not manipulated; thy are only identified and are studied as they occur in a natural setting

• the relationship between intelligence and self-esteem

• the relationship between diet and anxiety

• the relationship between an aptitude test and success in an algebra course

• the relationship between ACT scores and the freshman grades

Examples of Correlational Research

Experimental Research

• often called true experimentation, uses the scientific method to establish the cause-effect relationshipamong a group of variables that make up a study

• an independent variable is manipulated to determine the ffects on the dependent variables

• The effect of a new treatment plan on breast cancer

• The effect of positive reinforcement on attitude toward school

• The effect of teaching with a cooperative group strategy or a traditional lecture approach on students’ achievement

• the effect of a systematic preparation and support system on children who were scheduled for surgery on the amount of pscyhological upseet and cooperation

EXAMPLES OF EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH

Causal-Comparative/Quasi-Experimental Research

• the prefix quasi means “resembling”

• it a research that resembles experimental research but is not true experimental research

• although the independent variable is manipulated, participants are not randomly assigne to conditions or orders of conditions

• still attempts to establish cause and effect relationships among the variab;es

• pre-existing groups

• identigied control groups exposed to the treatment variable are studied and compared to groups who are not

Imagine that a group of obese children is recruited for a study in which their weight is measured, then they participate for 3 months in a program that encourages them to be more active, and finally their weight is measured again. Explain how each of the following might affect the results:

•Regression to the mean

•Spontaneous remission

•History

Example of Quasi-Experimental Research

Quantitative research

It gathers a range of numeric data.