Quantitative Analysis

Clyde Joshua M. Oandasan

Presenter
Quantitative Data Analysis

 is a systematic approach to
investigations during which numerical
data are collected and the researcher
transforms what are collected or
observed into numerical data.
Quantitative Data Analysis

It often describes a situation or event,

answering the research questions or
objectives of the study.
It is often concerned with finding evidence
to either support or contradict an idea or
hypothesis you might have.
Quantitative Data Analysis

A hypothesis is where a
predicted answer to a
research question is
proposed.
Example:

 You might propose that if you expose students with

varied constructivist strategies in learning mathematics
there will be an improvement of their mathematics
performance and attitude towards the subject.
You could then go on to explain why a particular answer is expected - you
put forward a theory to support or contradict your findings.
 When a researcher is interested in
hypothesis testing they will conduct an
experiment to gather their data. So,
you could take one group of students,
expose them to varied constructivist
strategies in learning mathematics
while another group of them learns
the subject in the traditional way.
• Data analysis in quantitative research studies is often seen
as a discouraging process. Much of this is associated with
apparently complex language and the notion of statistical
tests.

• The researcher should clearly identify what statistical tests

were undertaken, why these tests were used and what
were the results.

• A rule of thumb is that, studies that are descriptive in design

only use descriptive statistics, correlational studies, quasi-
experimental and experimental studies use inferential
statistics.
lnferential statistics is subdivided into tests to measure
relationships and differences between variables.

lnferential statistical tests are used to identify if a

relationship or difference between variables is
statistically significant.

Statistical significance helps the researcher to rule out

one important threat to validity and the result could
be due to chance rather than to real differences in
the population.
• To enhance readability, researchers normally present their findings
and data analysis section under the headings of the research
questions. This can help the reader determine if the results that are
presented clearly answer the research questions.

• Tables, charts and graphs may be used to summarize the results and
should be accurate, clearly identified and enhance the
presentation of results.

• The percentage of the sample who participated in the study is an

important element in considering the generalizability of the results.

• At least fifty percent of the sample is needed to participate if a

response bias is to be avoided according to Polit and Beck (2006).
In doing quantitative research, remember the
following in reporting the results of your study:

 a) Explain the data you have collected, the statistical treatment

and all relevant results in relation to the research problem that you
are investigating.
 b) Describe unexpected events that occurred during your data
collection. Explain how the actual analysis differs from the planned
analysis. Explain how you handled the missing data and why any
missing data did not undermine the validity of your analysis.
 c) Explain the techniques you used to “clean" your data set.
In doing quantitative research, remember the
following in reporting the results of your study:

 d) Choose a statistical tool and discuss its use and a reference for it.
Specify any computer programs or software used in the study such
as SPSS, MlNlTAB PHStat and so on.
 e) Describe well the assumptions for each procedure and the steps
you took to ensure that they were not violated.
 f) Provide the descriptive statistics, confidence intervals, and
sample sizes for each variable as well as the value of the test
statistic, its direction, the degrees of freedom, and the significance
level (report the actual p value) when you use inferential statistics.
In doing quantitative research, remember the
following in reporting the results of your study:

g) Avoid inferring causality, particularly in nonrandomized

designs or without further experimentation.
h) Use tables to provide exact values and use figures to
convey global effects. Keep figures small in size and
include graphic representations of confidence intervals
whenever possible.
i) Inform the reader what to look for in tables and figures.
 Operations Research Tools

 1. Linear Programming (LP) - used when a problem calls for a

maximization or minimization of a linear function subject to linear
constraints
 2. Non-Linear Programming (NLP) - used when a problem calls for a
maximization or minimization of non-linear functions
 3. Game Theory - used when a problem calls for optimal strategies
between two or more competitors.
 4. Inventory Control - used when the problem requires you to
determine optimum stock levels and reordering points.
 Operations Research Tools

 5. Simulation and Monte Carlo methods - used when:

a) The descriptive method of research is present - oriented.
b) The descriptive method of research is not able to
explain cause - effect relationship but is able to provide
clues to such relationship.
c) The descriptive method of research describes and
interprets what is currently prevailing.
 When you use the descriptive method
of research, do not attempt to control the
factors but allow them to interact with one
another in a purely statistical and random
approach. Your role as a researcher is to
interpret such chance variation or see
through the patterns that come out in such
chance relationships.