CHARACTERISTICS,
STRENGTHS, AND WEAKNESSES
OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
Note: Please refer to the prescribed textbook for the definition of some
terminologies on this topic, pp. 14-19.
CHARACTERISTICS OF
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
Orientation Characteristics
Paradigm Positivism
(assumption about the &
world) Realism
Numerical Description
Research Purpose
Causal Explanation
(rationale)
Prediction
Ontology
Nature of Social Reality
(nature of reality)
Epistemology
Objectivist
(theory of knowledge)
(Melegrito & Mendoza, 2016)
Orientation Characteristics
Methodology
(aims of specific Experimental/Manipulative
investigation)
Empirical Examination
Measurement
Research Methods Hypothesis Testing
(techniques and tools) Randomization
Research Protocol
Questionnaire
Scientific Method Deductive Approach/
(role of theory) Testing Theory
(Melegrito & Mendoza, 2016)
PREOCCUPATIONS OF
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
1. MEASUREMENT
▸ an important factor in quantitative
research, which is why reliability
and validity are embedded in its
methodology
Reliability speaks of consistency
of a measure of a concept.
Validity refers to the issue of
whether an indicator that is
developed to measure a concept
really gauges that concept.
(Job Bot, 2016)
(Melegrito & Mendoza, 2016)
1. MEASUREMENT
According to Bryman (2008),
measurement is reliable if it contains
the following factors:
▸ Stability
▸ Internal Reliability
Inter-Observer Reality
(Job Bot, 2016)
(Melegrito & Mendoza, 2016)
1. MEASUREMENT
Bryman (2008) also identified ways to
establish validity:
▸ Face Validity
▸ Concurrent Validity
▸ Predictive Validity
▸ Construct Validity
▸ Convergent Validity
(Job Bot, 2016)
(Melegrito & Mendoza, 2016)
2. CAUSALITY
▸ Quantitative research focuses not
only on the phenomenon but also
on explaining why things happen
in certain ways.
Basic Types of Variables:
‣ Dependent Variables
‣ Independent Variables
(Everyday Health, n.d.)
(Melegrito & Mendoza, 2016)
3. GENERALIZATION
▸ This area of concern reveals itself
in social survey research, in the
attention that is often given to the
question how one can create a
representative sample.
Po p u l a t i o n re f e r s t o t h e
members of a defined group.
Sample is a part of the
population.
(Financial Tribune, 2017)
(Melegrito & Mendoza, 2016)
4. REPLICATION
▸ the ability to repeat an important
component of an activity but
sometimes meet difficulties to
sustain the settings referred to an
original study
(Insight, 2018)
(Melegrito & Mendoza, 2016)
STRENGTHS OF QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH
S It can be replicated or repeated in other contexts.
T It provides findings that are generalizable to a
large population.
R
It can establish casuality more conclusively.
E
It can make predictions based on numerical,
N quantifiable data.
Data analysis using statistical software is faster.
G
Data gathering techniques are typically less demanding
T compared with those in qualitative research.
H It has a low degree of subjectivity.
S Its validity and reliability can be measured.
(Barrot, 2017)
WEAKNESSES OF
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
W It cannot adequately provide in-depth
information necessary for describing and
E explaining a complex phenomenon.
A It lacks the ability to provide a comprehensive
textual description of human experiences.
K Numerical data may be insufficient in analyzing
intangible factors, such as gender roles, socio-
N economic status, and social norms of a given
E It has less flexibility in terms of study design.
S
Responses of participants are strictly limited to
S what has been asked. These responses may not
be extensive in some cases.
E Self-reported data may not be very accurate as respondents
may have the tendency to underestimate or overestimate their
skills and behaviour during self-assessment tasks.
S (Barrot, 2017)
