Lesson 1 introduction to quantitative research
- 2. What is Quantitative research • Quantitative research designs use number in stating generalizations about a given problem or inquiry. • Reasearch findings are subjected to statistical treatment to determine significant relationships or differences between variables,the results of which are the bases for generalisation about phenomena.
- 3. Charactiristics of Quantitative research • Methods or procedures of data gathering include items like age, gender,educational status,among others,that call for measurable charactiristics of the population. • Standardized instruments guide data collection,thus ensuring the accuracy,reliability and validity of data. • Figures,tables or graphs showcase summarized data collected in order to show trends, relationships, or differences among variables. In sum, the charts and tables allow you to see the evidence collected.
- 4. Charactiristics of Quantitative research • A large population yeilds more reliable data, but principles of random sampling must be strictly followed to prevent researcher's bias. • Quantitative methods can be repeated to verify ffindings in another setting, thus, reinforcing validity of findings. • Puts emphasis on proof, rather than discovery.
- 5. Strengths of Quantitative research • The most reliable and valid way of concluding results, giving way to a new hypothesis or to disproving it. • Because of a bigger number of the sample of a population, the results or generalizations are more reliable and valid. • Experiments filter out external factors, if properly designed , and so the results gained can be seen, as real and unbiased. Quantitative experiments are for testing results gained by a series of qualitative experiments, leading to a final answer, and a narrowing down of possible directions to follow.
- 6. Weaknesses of Quantitative research • Quantitative research can be costly, difficult and time consuming - difficult because most researchers are non-mathematician. • Quantitative research requires extensive statistical treatment, requiring stringent standards, mmore so with confirmation of results. When ambiguities in some findings surface, retesting and refinement of the design call for another investment in time and resources to polish the results.
- 7. Weaknesses of Quantitative research • Quantitative methods also tend to turn out to be proved or unproven results, leaving little room for uncertainty, or grey areas. For social sciences,education, anthropology and psychology, human nature is a lot more complex than a simple yes or no response.