Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region III
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF BULACAN
Prenza National High School

PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2

Lesson # 1
Characteristics, Strengths, Weaknesses and Kinds of Quantitative Research

Quantitative research is more systematic and controlled than qualitative research which you
have learned in Practical Research 1 last school year. However, these two research methods have a
statement of the problem to investigate. At this point, it is assumed that you are capable to state a
research problem, write a background of the study, scope and delimit, hypothesize, make a conceptual
framework, and review related literature.

Each type of research follows a particular design which aims to answer specific questions. The
research design leads to the direction of sampling procedure, data gathering and data analysis.
Variables of the study must be given important considerations in your research study. These types of
variables which you will be using in your study will provide a paradigm (conceptual framework) which
helps the researcher decide on what will be the design of the study.

So, it is very important that you have completed the previous tasks diligently to maximize your
learning in this module. In this lesson, you will be taught how to select an appropriate research design.

Before you conduct a quantitative research, you must be familiarized with its characteristics
and these are enumerated below:

Objective. A quantitative research must be based on facts and not on mere superstitious
belief, feelings, intuition or guesses.

Follows Specific Process. In a quantitative research, especially in experimental, the

researchers need to follow scientific method such as formulating questions, formulating
hypothesis, and performing experimentations.

Research instruments. For the researcher to gather data, you sometimes need to use
research instruments such as questionnaire, rating scales, tally sheets. Performance checklists
and the like especially when dealing with descriptive type of research.

Numerical Data. In a quantitative research, data must be in numerical form. For better
understanding and simpler presentation, researchers may present these data using graphs,
tables and charts.

Required Large Sample Size. For researchers to come up with a reliable analysis and
conclusion, you must have large sample size that will represent an entire population.

Replicable. Researchers can repeat a quantitative research to verify the results. If errors
appear in the results, it’s either a previous or the current researchers may have committed a
mistake.

Like qualitative research, quantitative research has its strengths and weaknesses as well.

Strengths
1. A quantitative research is objective and is not influences by one’s belief or opinion.
2. It is easy to process and to analyze using statistical treatment since the data are numerical.
3. Results can be verified through repetition of the study.
Weaknesses

1. It is costly since it requires a large sample size. A researcher needs to produce a large number
of instruments such as a questionnaire. You may also need to distribute the instrument to the
respondents one by one. In some scientific experimental researches, a research may require
the use of laboratory apparatus of chemicals which are usually expensive.
2. It does not allow respondents to further elaborate their answers to complete the context of the
information. Some respondents are also prone to just guessing their answers.

According to Barrot (2017), research design is defined as the logical and coherent overall
strategy that the researcher uses to integrate all the components of the research study. It will give
meaning in the overall process of your research study. Quantitative research is one type of factual
investigation. It means that its analysis focuses on verifiable observations and expressed in numbers.
It is also a process of collecting and analyzing numerical data. It can be used to find patterns and
averages, make predictions, test causal relationships, and generalize results to wider populations.

There are two types of Quantitative Research Design, the non-experimental and experimental.

A. Non-experimental Research Design

According to Kowalczyk (2015), non – experimental research means there is a predictor

variable of group of subjects that cannot be manipulated by the experimenter. This suggests that
different routes should be accustomed to draw conclusions, like correlation, survey or case study.

1. Survey Research
• uses interviews, questionnaires, and sampling polls.
• allows the researchers to review behavior and then present the findings in an
accurate way.
• usually expressed in percentage.
• can be conducted around one group specifically or used to compare several groups.
• Example quantitative research title. Covid 19: How do Filipinos View the
Government’s Measures.
This research will assist decision – makers in formulating more acceptable policies to
control the spreading of the virus in the short term and also help restore confidence in
government for the long term.
2. Correlational Research
• tests for the relationships between two variables.
• determines what the effect of one on the opposite that affects the relationship.
• predicts the magnitude of the association.
• Example quantitative research title: A Study on Internet Usage of Adolescents in
relation to Aggression and Psychological Well – being.
This research aims to investigate the relationship among internet usage, aggressive
behavior and psychological well – being of adolescents
3. Descriptive Research
• is oftentimes as a survey or a normative approach.
• is a study of prevailing conditions.
• Example of quantitative descriptive research: A Study on the Preparation of Student
Teachers to Work with Diverse Population.
This study aims to describe the degree to which the education programs prepared the
students to work with diverse population.
4. Comparative Research
• examines patterns of similarities and differences across a moderate number of cases.
• uses limited number of cases.
• concerns to establish familiarity with each case included in a study.
• Example of quantitative comparative research: A Study of the Use of Library and
Internet as Sources of Information by Students.
This study was conducted to compare the Internet use and Library use among
students. It was based on the assumption that students use the internet more than
library.
 5. Ex – Post – facto Research
• examines patterns of similarities and differences across a moderate number of cases.
• used in studies which measure the pre-existing effects.
• is a study where the researcher has no control over the variables.
• Example of Ex – Post – facto Research: A Study on One-to-One Mobile Technology
and Standardized Testing.
• This study examined the impact of one-to-one mobile technology on the number of
students who passed the standardized test.

B. Experimental Research Design

It is guided by a hypothesis. Sometimes experimental research can have several hypotheses.

A hypothesis is a statement to be proven or disapproved. Once that statement is formed experiments
are begun to seek out whether the statement is true or not.

1. Quasi - Experimental Research

• involves selecting groups, upon which a variable is tested without any random pre-
selection process.
• is a study where the groups are known to be already established before the research.
• Example of Quasi- Experimental Research: Evaluating the Cooperative Component in
Cooperative Learning.
This study examined the efficacy of the cooperative learning pedagogy (Think-Pair-
Share exercises) in problem solving exercises.
2. True Experimental Research
• is thought to be the most accurate type of experimental research.
• establishes cause and effect relationship.
• contains three criteria: control and experimental group; researcher-manipulated
variable; random assignment.
• Example of True Experimental Research: The effectiveness of family planning
programs.
This study describes the magnitude of effects for family planning programs.

The table on the next page may help you in deciding what quantitative research design fits your
study based on the relationship between the variables in the study.
Importance of Research across Fields

Research is valuable to society. In fact, the goal of education is not only to learn existing
knowledge but also to discover and create new information that may help humanity to solve existing
problems and problems that may arise in the future.

As a senior high student, regardless of what track in Senior High School you have chosen, this
course will help you appreciate your future career and visualize how you can address current and
challenges and those that may arise along the way.

If you’re dreaming to have your own business or be in the business world, research is useful to
know what consumers want and/or how the economy works. You can conduct a feasibility study prior
to the establishment of your business to assure success.

On the other hand, if you want to pursue career related to medicine, sciences and engineering.
Research can help you test the effectivity of a certain drug, or to test how new processes, designs can
better improve the living conditions not only of humans but also of other living organisms such as plants
and animals

References:

Alcaide, Mylin B. (2020). Quantitative research design and sampling procedures. Department of
Education, Schools Division of Bataan.
Anzano, Lex Vernon G. (2020). Nature of inquiry and research. Department of Education, Schools
Division of Bulacan