Quantitative Research

Quantitative Research

A systematic investigation of phenomenon that utilizes statistical methods to analyze and interpret data.

Concept

This is the thing you want to study and represents a number of individual, but related things. It does not have a fixed definition or meaning. Abstract thinking to distinguish it from other elements

Conceptual Scheme

This is a set of connected concepts that specifies/clarifies relationships.

Construct

This is the theoretical definition of a concept. This makes the abstract concept observable or measurable.

Variable

This identifies the theoretical construct as presented in the hypotheses and research questions. This is usually unpacked through operationalization of the terms.

Operationalization

The process of specifying the variables of a study and indicating how they will be measured or observed.

Hypothesis

An educated guess, describing a logical explanation of the difference or relationship between two or more variables.

Directional Hypothesis

A precise statement indicating the nature and direction of the relationship between variables.

Non-Directional Hypothesis

A hypothesis that indicates a significant difference exists without specifying the direction of that difference.

Null Hypothesis

A statement that no relationship or difference exists between two variables, often subjected to statistical testing.

Criteria in Assessing Hypotheses

1. Precision and clarity in stating or wording the Ho

2. Specificity and measurability of the variables

3. Precision of the statement of the difference/relationship between variables.

4. Theoretical basis or foundation of the hypothesis

5. Testability of the hypothesis

Independent Variable

The variable that is manipulated by researchers, sometimes referred to as predictor or causal variables.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is influenced or changed by the independent variable, also known as criterion or outcome variables.

Advantages of Quantitative Research

• Degree of rigor

• Objectivity through the use of statistical tools and numbers

• Ability to make comparisons among a large group of participants

Disadvantages of Quantitative Research

• Difficulty in capturing the complexity or depth of communication overtime.

• Inability to capture communication phenomenon that cannot be replicated or simulated in a controlled environment.

Reliability

This is achieved when researchers are consistent in their use of data collection procedures and when participants react similarly to them.

Validity

The extent to which a research instrument accurately measures what it intends to measure.

Threats to Reliability and Validity

1. If the instrument cannot give a fine distinctions.

2. If the instrument cannot capture how people differ.

3. When researchers attempt to measure something that is unknown or irrelevant to the respondent.

4. Difficulty in capturing the complexity of human communication/interaction.

Data Measurement

• Constructing the research instrument

• Ability to use the instrument and

• Ability to identify the attributes being measured

• One must ensure accuracy in measuring quantitative data.doing qua

Content Validity

Exists when the measurement reflects all possible aspects of the construct of interest.

Criterion-Related Validity

Exists when one measurement can be linked to another external measurement.

Construct Validity

Describes measurement dependability or consistency, expressed as a matter of degree.

Discrete Data

Data that are categorical or nominal, describing the presence or absence of characteristics.

Continuous Data

Data that comprise two or more classes or categories that are mutually exclusive and exhaustive.

Ordinal Data

Type of continuous data that ranks elements in a logical order.

Interval Data

Type of continuous data that represents specific numerical scores with equal distance between points.

Ratio Data

Type of continuous data that has characteristics of interval data with a true zero.