Practical Research 2, Grade 12 Humanities and Social Sciences Student

Practical Research 2

1. PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2 Quantitative research is a systematic way of investigating phenomena by gathering numerical data and performing statistical , mathematical , or computational techniques . It's all about measuring and testing.

2. Quantitative Research Characteristics: Numerical Data: It relies on numbers, statistics, and graphs to present findings. Example: Instead of describing how people feel about a product, you'd count how many people rated it "excellent" on a scale of 1-5.

3. Quantitative Research Characteristics : Structured Instruments: It uses tools like questionnaires, surveys, or experiments with fixed response options. Example: A survey with multiple-choice questions or a rating scale.

4. Quantitative Research Characteristics: Large Sample Sizes: Often involves a large number of participants to ensure the results are generalizable to a wider population. Example: Surveying 1,000 customers about their satisfaction rather than just 10.

5. Quantitative Research Characteristics: Objective: Aims to be unbiased and factual, focusing on measurable data rather than subjective interpretations. Example: Measuring the exact temperature change in an experiment rather than observing if it "felt warmer."

6. Quantitative Research Characteristics: Generalizable: The results from a large, representative sample can often be applied to a larger population. Example: If a study on 500 students shows a link between study habits and grades, it might apply to all students in that school

7. Quantitative Research Strengths: Objectivity & Reliability: Provides numerical data that can be analyzed statistically, leading to objective and often more reliable conclusions. Example: A drug trial showing a 20% reduction in symptoms is more convincing than anecdotal reports.

8. Quantitative Research Strengths: Generalizability: Findings can often be applied to a larger population if the sample is well-chosen. Example: A successful educational intervention tested on a large group of students could be implemented in other schools.

9. Quantitative Research Strengths: Comparability: Easy to compare results across different groups or over time. Example: Comparing sales figures before and after a marketing campaign.

10. Quantitative Research Weaknesses: Lack of Depth: May not capture the nuances, feelings, or complex reasons behind behaviors. It tells you "what" but not always "why.“ Example: A survey might show 70% of customers are satisfied, but it won't tell you why they are satisfied or dissatisfied in detail.

11. Quantitative Research Weaknesses: Limited Context: Can sometimes overlook the specific context or individual experiences. Example: A study on average income doesn't explain the individual struggles or successes that contribute to those numbers.

12. Quantitative Research Weaknesses: Rigidity: The structured nature can limit flexibility in exploring unexpected findings. Example: If a survey question doesn't cover a specific reason for a customer's choice, that reason won't be captured.

13. Quantitative Research Weaknesses: Cost & Time: For very large-scale studies, it can be expensive and time-consuming to collect and analyze data. Example: A nationwide census requires significant resources.

14. Types of Quantitative Research: 1. Descriptive Research: Aims to describe the characteristics of a population or phenomenon. It answers "what is?"

15. Types of Quantitative Research: Descriptive Research Examples: A study describing the average age, income, and education level of residents in a city. A report on the percentage of students who use a particular study method.

16. Types of Quantitative Research: 2. Correlational Research: Explores the relationship between two or more variables. It looks for patterns and trends. It does not imply cause and effect.

17. Types of Quantitative Research: 2. Correlational Research Examples: A study investigating if there's a relationship between hours spent studying and exam scores (e.g., as study hours increase, do scores also tend to increase?). Research examining the correlation between daily coffee consumption and reported stress levels.

18. Types of Quantitative Research: Causal-Comparative (Quasi-Experimental) Research: Compares two or more groups to identify cause-and-effect relationships, but without random assignment to groups. The independent variable is already naturally occurring.

19. Types of Quantitative Research: Causal-Comparative (Quasi-Experimental) Research Examples: Comparing the academic performance of students who attended public school versus those who attended private school (you can't randomly assign students to these schools). A study comparing lung capacity in smokers vs. non-smokers.

20. Types of Quantitative Research: 4. Experimental Research: The most rigorous type, designed to establish cause-and-effect relationships by manipulating one or more variables (independent variables) and observing their effect on another variable (dependent variable), while controlling other factors. Involves random assignment.

21. Types of Quantitative Research: 4. Experimental Research Examples: A drug trial where one group receives a new medication (experimental group) and another receives a placebo (control group), with participants randomly assigned to each group, to see if the medication causes a change in symptoms. Testing the effectiveness of two different teaching methods by randomly assigning students to groups that use each method and then comparing their test scores.