LUIS Y. FERRER JR.

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2
1st Semester

Lecture 1: Introduction to Quantitative Research

QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
The word research was coined from the French word “cerchier” which means seek. The prefix “re” means to repeat.
Literally, research is to repeat looking for something. Research signifies finding the truth again about ideas and
problems which were in existence before in different perspectives.

Research is a natural day-to-day activity of gathering information. There is one form of research, however, which is
more disciplined in its methodology and more scientific in its procedure. It is called academic research. An academic
research can be quantitative in its approach. It means that information are obtained and presented in numerical
form and analyzed through the use of statistics.

By definition, quantitative research is an objective, systematic empirical investigation of observable phenomena

CHARACTERISTICS
1. Objective. Quantitative research seeks accurate measurement and analysis of target concepts. Data are
gathered before proposing a conclusion or solution to a problem.

2. Clearly Defined Research Questions. In quantitative research, the researchers know in advance what
they are looking for. The research questions are well-defined for which objective answers were sought. All
aspects of the study are carefully designed before data are gathered.

3. Structured Research Instruments. Data are normally gathered using structured research tools such as
questionnaires to collect measurable characteristics of the population like age, socio-economic status,
number of children, among others.

4. Numerical Data. Data are in the form of numbers and statistics, often organized and presented using
tables, charts, graphs, and figures that consolidate large numbers of data to show trends, relationships, or
differences among variables.

5. Large Sample Sizes. To arrive at a more reliable data analysis, a normal population distribution curve is
preferred. This requires a large sample size, depending on how the characteristics of the population vary.
Random sampling is recommended in determining the sample size to avoid researcher’s bias in interpreting
results.

6. Replication. Reliable quantitative studies can be repeated to verify or confirm the correctness of the results
in another setting. This strengthens the validity of the findings thus eliminating the possibility of spurious
conclusions.
7. Future Outcomes. By using complex mathematical calculations and with the aid of computers, if-then
scenarios may be formulated, thus predicting future results.

STRENGTHS
1. It is objective. Since it provides numerical data, it can’t be easily misinterpreted.
2. The use of statistical techniques facilitates sophisticated analyses and allows you to comprehend a huge
amount of vital characteristics of data.
3. The numerical data can be analyzed in a quick and easy way.
4. Quantitative studies are replicable.
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WEAKNESSES
1. Quantitative research requires a large number of respondents.
2. It is costly.
3. The information contextual factors to help interpret the results or to explain the variations are usually
ignored.
4. Much information are difficult to gather using structured instruments.
5. If not done seriously and correctly, data from questionnaires may be incomplete and inaccurate.

KINDS
1. Descriptive Research – connected with describing the nature, characteristics, and components of the
population or a phenomenon. There is no manipulation of variables or search for cause and effect related to
the phenomenon. This design attempts to find general attributes of the presently existing situation and
determine the frequency it occurs.
Ex. The number of hours senior high school students spend in social media
How healthy is the food served during recess in public schools

2. Correlational Research – the systematic investigation of the nature of relationships, or associations

3. Evaluation Research – aims to assess the effects, impacts, or outcomes of practices, policies, or
programs.
Ex. Assessing the implementation of nursing care in a hospital and determining the impact of a new
treatment

4. Survey Research – used to gather information from groups of people by selecting and studying samples
chosen from a population. It may done in various ways like face-to-face, phone, mail, and online.
Ex. Child-rearing practices of single parents (cross-sectional)
The rate of promotion of doctorate degree holders five years after earning the degree

5. Causal – Comparative Research – also known as ex post facto (after the fact), derives conclusion from
observations and manifestations that already occurred in the past and now compared to some dependent
variables. It discusses why and how a phenomenon occurs.
Ex. How weight influences stress-coping level of adults

6. Experimental Research – utilizes scientific method to test cause-and-effect relationships under conditions
controlled by the researcher. An independent variable is manipulated to determine the effects on the
dependent variables.
Ex. A teacher would like to know if a new teaching strategy is effective or not by teaching one class
with the new strategy and comparing it with another section taught without the new strategy.

VARIABLES
A variable is anything that may assume varied numerical or categorical values. It refers to a characteristic, or
attribute of an individual or an organization that can be measured or observed and that varies among the people or
organization being studied.
Variables are “changing qualities or characteristics” of persons or things like age, gender, intelligence, ideas,
achievements, confidence, and so on that are involved in the study. Made up of the root or base word “vary” which
means to undergo changes or to differ from, variables have different or varying values in relation to time and
situation.
TYPES OF VARIABLES
1. Continuous variable – a variable that can take infinite number on the value that can occur within a
population. It values can be divided into fractions.
Ex. age, height, temperature
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a. interval variable – a measurement where the difference between the values does have meaning
Ex. difference of a temperature of 60 degrees and 50 degrees is the same difference as between 30
degrees and 20 degrees
b. ratio variable – possesses the properties of interval variable and has no clear definition of zero,
indication that there is none of that variable
Ex. height, weight, distance

2. Discrete variable – also known as categorical or classificatory variable is any variable that has a limited
number of distinct variable and which cannot be divided into fractions
Ex. sex, blood group, number of children in the family

a. nominal variable – a variable with no quantitative value . It has two or more categories but does not
imply ordering of cases
Ex. eye color, business type, religion, sex
b. ordinal variable – variable that has two or more categories which can be ranked
Ex. extent of liking music while studying by ranking from “not very much”, “much,” and “very much”

3. Independent variable – the cause variable or the one responsible for the conditions that act on something
else to bring about changes. It can cause, influence or affect outcomes. They are also called treatment,
manipulated, antecedent or predictor variables.

4. Dependent variable – also called outcome variable is the result or effect of the changes brought about by
another variable.

5. Intervening of mediating variables – “stand between” the independent and dependent variables, and
they show effects of the independent variable on the dependent variable

6. Control variables – special types of independent variables that are measured in a study because they
potentially influence the dependent variable. Researchers use statistical procedures to control these
variables.

7. Confounding variables – those that are not actually measured or observed in a study. Researchers
comment on the influence of confounding variables, after the study has been completed because those
variables may have operated to explain the relationship between the independent and dependent variables.

References:
Baraceros, Esther L. (2016). Practical Research 2. Manila: Rex Book Store
Faltado III, EdD, Ruben E. (2016): Practical Research 2 – Quantitative Research. Manila: LoriMar Publishing
Prieto, Nelia G. et.al. (2017) Practical Research 2 for Senior High School – Quantitive. Manila: LoriMar Publishing