CHAPTER 1: NATURE AND CHARACTERISTICS

INQUIRY OF RESEARCH  Objective

 Clearly defined research question
RESEARCH  Structured research instruments
 Numerical data
 The word research was coined from the French  Large sample sizes
word “cerhier” which means seek. The prefix “re”  Replication
means repeat.  Future outcomes

 is widely recognized as an important tool for solving 1. Objective

man’s various problem and in making life more
colourful and convenient.
 is a natural day-to-day activity of gathering
information
Quantitative research seeks accurate measurement and
analysis of target concepts. It is not based on mere
intuitions and guesses. Data are gathered before
proposing a conclusion or solution to a problem.

2. Clearly Defined Research Question

QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
The research questions are well-defined for which
 Quantitative Research is an objective, systematic
objective answers are sought. All aspect of the study are
empirical investigation of observable phenomena
carefully designed before data are gathered.
through the use of computational techniques.
3. Structured Research Instrument
 It highlights numerical analysis of data hoping that
the numbers yield unbiased results that can be Data are normally gathered using structured research
generalized to some larger population and explain a tools such as questionnaires to collect measurable
characteristics of the population like age, socio-
particular observation.
economic status, number of children, among others.

4. Numerical Data
QUALITATIVE QUANTITATIVE
Inductive Deductive
Data are in the form of numbers and statistics, often
Subjective Objective
organized and presented using tables, charts, graphs,
Impressionistic Conclusive
Holistic, Independent Independent and and figures that consolidate large numbers of data to
System Dependent Variables show trends, relationships, or differences among
Purposeful, key Random, Probabilistic variables.
informants Sample
Not focused on Focused on generalization 5. Large Sample Sizes
generalization
To arrive at a more reliable data analysis, a normal
Aims at understanding Aims at truth, scientific
new perspectives acceptance population distribution curve is preferred. This requires
Case studies, contents, Statistical analysis a large sample size depending on how the
and pattern analysis characteristics of the population vary. Random sampling
Focus on words Focus on numbers is recommended in determining the sample size to
Probing Counting avoid researcher’s bias in interpreting the results.
 6. Future Outcomes Structuration laid out for response, low flexibility

By using complex mathematical calculations and with Examples of

the aid of computers, if-then scenarios may be Surveys by mail, online, or hand-out
investigations
formulated thus predicting future results.
General Precision: an exact mapping of
7. Replication approach quantitative variation

Reliable quantitative studies can be repeated to verify General Width: seek information about as many
or confirm the correctness of the results in another perspective quantifiable units are possible
setting.
Type of data
Identify statistical relationships
analysis
Research
Quantitative Research
Aspect Researchers and their biases are known
Role of to participants in the study, and
To test hypotheses, look at cause and researcher participant characteristics are hidden
Purpose
effect, and make predictions from the researchers

Large samples and randomly selected Researcher Researcher is an uninvolved observer.

Samples to produce generalizable results that independence Results are objective.
apply to other situations
Generalizable findings that can be
Criteria to Results
applied to other populations
identify Representative: chosen informants
respondents / must represent the target group
informants STRENGTHS

Design of Systematic: survey with closed  It is objective. Since it provides numerical data, it
method questions can’t be easily misinterpreted.

Data
Structures response categories  The use of statistical technique facilitates
collection
provided sophisticated analyses and allows you to
approach
comprehend a huge amount of vital characteristics
Type of data of data.
Numbers and statistics
collected
 The numerical data can be analyzed in a quick and
Key concepts easy way.
Explanation: How, How many, Who
of
does what, causal-explanations
methodology  Quantitative studies are replicable. Standardized
approaches allow the study to be replicated in
Research different areas or over time with the formulation of
Quantitative Research
Aspect comparable findings.

Quantitative data based on precise

Form of data
measurements using structured and
collected
validated data-collection instruments

Level of High: The possibilities of answers are

WEAKNESSES CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH

 Quantitative research requires a large number of
respondents. It is assumed that the larger the
sample is, the more statistically accurate the
findings are.
 It is costly.
It is the systematic investigation of the nature of
relationships, or associations between and among
variables without necessarily investigating into causal
reason underlying them. It is also concerned with the
extent of relationships that exists between or among
variables.

Ex:
 The information contextual factors to help interpret
the results or to explain variations are usually  If the pre-board examination results can be used to
ignored. predict performance in the licensure exam.
 Sex with mathematical ability
 Many information are difficult to gather using  Occupation and life span
structured research instruments, specifically on
sensitive issues like pre-marital sex, domestic EVALUATION RESEARCH
violence, among others.
This kind of research aims to assess the effects, impacts
 If not done seriously and correctly, data from
or outcomes of practices, policies or programs.
questionnaires may be incomplete and inaccurate.
Researchers must be on the look-out on Ex:
respondents who are just guessing in answering the
instrument.  Assessing the impact of 5S to the TIPians in
character building in school
KINDS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH  Effects of OBE to the academic learning of
Architecture students.
1. Descriptive Research
2. Correlational Research SURVEY RESEARCH
3. Evaluation Research
4. Survey Research A survey research is used to gather information from
5. Causal-Comparative Research groups of people by selecting and studying samples
6. Experimental Research chosen from a population. It may be done in various
ways like face-to-face, phone, mail and online.
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH
Ex:
This design is concerned with describing the nature,
characteristics and components of the population or  Determine the growth of rice yield in the country
phenomenon. There is no manipulation of variables or  Rate of promotion of doctorate degree holders 5
search for cause and effect related to the phenomenon. years after earning the degree.

Ex:

 You want to know how many hours SHS students

spend in social media
 Number of malnourished students who failed in the
achievement test
 How healthy is the food being served in the canteen
during recess
CAUSAL-COMPARATIVE RESEARCH Qualitative Variables Quantitative Variable

It is also known as ex post facto (after the fact)

Data values are non-numeric Data values are
research. This kind of research derives conclusion from
and whose observations vary numerical measurements
observations and manifestations that already occurred
in kind but not in degree and whose observations
in the past and now compared to some dependent
vary in magnitude
variables. It discusses why and how a phenomenon Examples:
occurs. 1. Age
1. Sex (male or female)
Ex: 2. Number of
2. Religion (Roman children
 How weight influences stress-coping level of adults. Catholic, Muslim,
 Experimental Research etc.) 3. Income

EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 3. Marital status

(single, married,
This research utilizes specific method to test cause-and-
legally separated,
effect relationships under conditions controlled by the
divorced, annulled)
researcher.
4. Nationality
Ex:

 The use of video simulation as instructional tool in

learning Biology Discrete Variables Continuous Variables
 Rainwater as alternative source of electricity
 Oregano leaf as a cure for severe cough Quantitative variables Quantitative variables
whose observations can whose observations can
QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH assume only a countable assume any one of the
number of values countless number of
At least one variable is manipulated to determine the
values in a line interval
effect of the manipulation. Intact, naturally formed Examples:
groups are used. 1. Height (5 feet 4
1. Number of children
inches, 6 feet,
Question asked: What is the effect of the experimental in the family
etc.)
variable?
2. Number of
2. Weight (120 lbs,
VARIABLE: absences in the
68 kilograms)
workplace
It is something that can take on different values for
3. Time (hours,
different subjects in a given research study. 3. Number of
minutes, etc.)
tardiness in class
Different from a constant (carries the exact-same value
for all subjects in a study)
TYPE OF VARIABLES ACCORDING TO LEVEL OF medium, and low) but the “distance” between the
MEASUREMENT values cannot be calculated

Watch the video and answer the following: 3. Interval

 What is nominal data/variable?

 Variables whose data values are ranged in a real
interval and can be as large as from negative infinity
 It is also known as qualitative or categorical
to positive infinity
data and is split into categories
 Difference between two values is meaningful but
 Color: red , blue, green, and so on
the ratio of two interval data is not meaningful
 Have arbitrary zero points
 Differentiate ordinal from interval variables.
 Temperature, IQ

 Ordinal data is data where order matters but

4. Ratio
the distance between values does not
 For Example: Position in a race but not the
 The highest level of measurement that has all the
distance between values
characteristics of the interval plus a true zero point
 Both the difference and the ratio of two variables
 Interval data is data where order matters, and
are meaningful
distance between values are equal and
 Age in years and income in thousands of pesos
meaningful, and a natural zero is not present.
 Age of 44 is higher than 38 and the distance
 For Example: Temperature. Scale at any given
between the two values is 6.
point is constant.
TYPE OF VARIABLES FOR PURPOSES OF RESEARCH
 Compare and contrast interval and ratio variables.
Watch the video and answer the following:
 Ratio data is data where order matters,
 What is the difference between dependent and
distances between values are equal and
independent variable?
meaningful, and a natural zero is present.
 In Interval data, it is not possible to have a
 The independent variable is whatever that is
measurement that is zero in value.
changed to create a condition.
 The dependent variable is whatever is recorded
1. Nominal
for each participant.

 Variables whose data values are non-numeric group

1. Independent Variable
labels that do not reflect quantitative information
 Sex, marital status, nationality, religion
 Cause/determine/ influence the dependent variable
 Predictor variable
2. Ordinary
 Cause

 Variables where there is a meaningful order of

2. Dependent Variable
categories but there is no measurable distance
 Presumed outcome of the influence
between the categories
 Outcome variable
 Attitude scores representing degree of agreement
 Effect
or disagreement, degree of satisfaction and
preference rating scores, order of values (high,