Lesson #1_Characteristics of Quantitative Research.pptx

Quantitative Research

1. PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2 QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

2. What is Research? process of obtaining information to seek solutions to problems Important in: Science, Technology, and Engineering Business and advertising Humanities and social sciences

3. QUALITATIVE vs QUANTITATIVE (Creswell 1994) “ an inquiry process of understanding a social problem based on… building a complex, holistic picture formed with words, reporting detailed views of informants, and conducted in a natural setting testing a theory composed of variables, measured with numbers, and analyzed with statistical procedures in order to determine whether the predictive generalizations of the theory hold true Goal: to seek meaning and deeper understanding of phenomena as seen from the perspective of participants Goal: focused on acquiring data through the use of research instruments to ensure that the conclusion drawn is valid

4. Research Paradigm Assumptions Assumption Question Qualitative Quantitative Ontological What is the nature of reality? Reality is subjective and multiple as seen by participants in a study. It is “constructed by the individuals involved in the research situation.” Researcher must “report faithfully these realities and rely on voices and interpretations of informants. Reality is “objective”, “out there”, singular, apart from the researcher, and can be measured objectively by using a questionnaire or an instrument.

5. Research Paradigm Assumptions Assumption Question Qualitative Quantitative Epistemological What is the relationship of the researcher to the subject (of research)? Researcher must interact with the subject of the research. Interaction may be in the form of living with or observing informants over a prolonged period of time or actual collaboration. Researcher is independent from the subject . (Surveys & experiments): “researchers attempt to control for bias, select a systematic sample, and be objective in assessing a situation.

6. Research Paradigm Assumptions Assumption Question Qualitative Quantitative Axiological What is the role of values? Value-laden and biased. Researcher “admits the value-laden nature of the study and actively reports his/her values and biases, as well as the value nature of information gathered from the field.” Value-free and unbiased, “accomplished through entirely omitting statements about values from a written report, uses impersonal language, reports “facts”, arguing closely from the evidence gathered in the study.”

7. Research Paradigm Assumptions Assumption Question Qualitative Quantitative Rhetorical What is the language of research? Informal Evolving decisions Personal voice Uses accepted qualitative words ------ “understanding, discover, and meaning” Formal Based on set definitions Impersonal voice Uses accepted quantitative words ------ “relationship, comparison, and within-group”

8. Research Paradigm Assumptions Assumption Question Qualitative Quantitative Methodological What is the process of research? Inductive process Mutual simultaneous shaping of factors Emerging design --- categories identified during research process Context-bound Patterns and theories developed for understanding Accurate and reliable through verification Deductive process Cause and effect Static design --- categories isolated before study Context-free Generalizations lead to prediction, explanation, and understanding Accurate and reliable through validity and reliability

9. It is a systematic and organized investigation to seek solutions to problems by obtaining numerical data and testing the relationships of variables using statistical techniques. QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

10. Quantitative approach designs and examines social phenomena through quantifiable evidence , and often relies on statistical analysis of many causes to create valid and reliable general claims. QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

11. The overall goal of quantitative research is to convey numerically what is being seen in the research and to arrive at specific and observable conditions. QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

12. CHARACTERISTICS OF Q U A N T I T A T IVE RESEARCH

13. CHARACTERISTICS OF QUANTI R. 1. The data are usually gathered using more structured instrument.

14. CHARACTERISTICS OF QUANTI R. 2. The results are based on larger samples sizes that are representative of the population

15. CHARACTERISTICS OF QUANTI R. 3. The research study can usually be replicated or repeated, give its high reliability

16. CHARACTERISTICS OF QUANTI R. 4. The researcher has a clearly defined research question to which objective answers are sought.

17. CHARACTERISTICS OF QUANTI R. 5. All aspects of the study are carefully designed before the data are collected.

18. CHARACTERISTICS OF QUANTI R. 6. Data are in the form of numbers and statistics.

19. CHARACTERISTICS OF QUANTI R. 7. Project can be used to generalize concepts more widely, predict future results, or investigate causal relationship

20. Antwi and Hamza (2015) Orientation Characteristics of Quantitative R. Description Paradigm Positivism and Realism (Bryman 2008) Positivism – advocates the application of the methods of natural sciences to the study of social reality and beyond Realism – acknowledges a reality independent of the senses that is accessible to the researcher’s tools and theoretical speculations

21. Antwi and Hamza (2015) Orientation Characteristics of Quantitative R. Description Research purpose Numerical description This refer to frequency distribution, percentage, and measures of central tendencies Causal explanation Relates to the meaning of causality, which refers to a concern with establishing causal connections rather than mere relationships Prediction A statement about the future based on facts

22. ACTIVITY #1

23. E ND