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Research is the method of acquiring knowledge based on the scientific method of inquiry to enrich the system of
objective knowledge in the fields of natural and social sciences.
Research can be classified as either Qualitative or Quantitative.
Quantitative Research
Quantitative research is essentially about collecting numerical data to explain a particular phenomenon.
It inquires about people’s views in a structured manner so that hard evidences and statistics that may be used.
It is either descriptive, wherein subjects are measured once, or experimental, wherein subjects are measured before
and after” (Babbie 2010).
Data is “gathered using structured instruments. The results are based on large sample sizes that are representative
of the population and can be replicated” (Babbie 2010).
It has “clearly defined research questions to which objective answers are sought” (Babbie 2010).
Strengths Limitations
It allows for greater accuracy of data because variables are Participants have limited participation on the design and
isolated, manipulated, and rigorously controlled. structure of the questionnaire.
Results can be replicated, analyzed, and compared with Numerical data do not provide detailed account of the
similar studies due to the use of robust instrumentation. phenomenon and do not capture human perception.
Numerical data allows summary of huge amount of Research is carried out in a laboratory setting and not in a
information and comparisons across categories over time. real-world setting.
1. Descriptive Research – designed to give “answers to the question of who, what, when, where, and how which are
linked with a research problem.
2. Experimental Research – a type of quantitative research that authorizes researchers to “control the situation which
allows them to answer the question “What causes something to occur?”
3. Survey Research – a survey is intended to acquire information from people concerning the predominance,
distribution, and interrelations of variables within an identified group.
4. Correlational Research – it tries to define the degree of relationship between two or more variables using statistical
data.
5. Causal – Comparative Research – it endeavors to ascertain cause – effect relationships among variables.
It is useful in generating large amounts of data and in identifying the patterns of behavior of various sectors in
different settings.
If you are after objectivity, then quantitative research may be adopted because it is less prone to bias as the findings
are expressed in terms of numbers.
Quantitative research is adopted by some researchers instead of qualitative approach due to the following reasons:
a. It is more reliable and objective
b. It uses statistics to generalize a finding
c. It reduces and restructures a complex problem to a limited number of variables
d. It looks at relationships between variables and can establish cause and effect in highly controlled
circumstances
e. It tests theories and hypotheses
f. It assumes that a sample is representative of the population
g. The subjectivity of the researcher is recognized less
h. It is less detailed than qualitative research
Prepared by:
Mary Jochelle S. Alburo
Instructor