Quantitative Research

  • based on the collection and analysis of numerical data

Types of Quantitative Reseach Design *covered in the syllabus

  • Survey Research: a descriptive research where it describe a characteristic of a population/ phenomenon that is being studied.
  • Correlational Research: a type of descriptive research where used to determine whether and to what degree, a relationship exist between two or more quantifiable variables.
  • Experimental Research: a research in which at least one independent variable, called the experimental variable, is deliberately manipulated or varied by the researcher.

Quantitative Research uses deductive reasoning, where specific predictions are developed from general principles, observations or experiences.

Experimental Research: interpretation that is very specific to the experiment is produced based on the experimental variables.

Survey Research: Conclusion are drawn based on the data collection, specific to the research topic.

Correlational Research: predictions are made based on the variables

Four Basic Steps of Research (which all type of research design usually follows this steps with a little differences)
point mentioned in every type of research design is the highlights
1) Recognise and identify topic to study
2) Describe and execute procedures to collect information about the topic being studied
3) Analyse the data
4) State the results or implications based on analysis of the data

Correlational Research
Step 1: uses test hypotheses regarding expected relation, should be logical (suggested by theory/experience-derived) and variables to be correlated
Step 2: 30 is the minimum accepted sample size. Scores are obtained from each member, paired and correlated (called correlation coefficient)
Step 3: Data is analysed with a correlation coefficient

Survey Research
Step 2: Data is collected via various forms of collecting data from a questionnaire and it is either been done via cross-sectional approach or longitudinal approach

Experimental Research
Steps are mostly similar to correlational research but in Step 2, the procedures are being done through various experimental designs, quasi or not.

Selecting and Defining Research Topic
applicable for all types of research design

  • For all research designs,all topic must be solving a problem or answering a question, instead of creating new problem and question.
  • Topics are specific from the beginning.

Sources of Research Topic

  • Theories
  • Replication
  • Library Search
  • Personal Questions

Ethics in Research
applicable for all research design

  • one of the characteristics of a good research topic

Transparency between researcher and participant where all seven things related to ethics are practiced.

Seven things related to ethics:

  • Informed Consent: made consent for research known by giving informed consent form (if child participant, parents are giving their consent) however, withdrawal is possible despite given consent.
  • Withdraw from investigation
  • Protection from harm (psychological and physical)
  • Deception: Avoid it.
  • Debriefing: providing again the participant with necessary information.
  • Confidentiality: by default, participant's information is confidential unless agreed in advance.
  • Coercion: participation should not be forced

Practiced before the beginning of Step 2: Data Collection

Sample Selection
Steps
1) Identify population
2) Determine required sample size
3) Select sample

  • All will use random sampling techniques depending on the researcher to decide which technique
  • 4 techniques: simple random sampling, stratified sampling,cluster sampling and systematic sampling
  • Generally, quantitative research requires large sample size (>= 200 especially for surveys)
  • For correlational research, 30 is an acceptable number.
  • 30 is a good sample size as it complies to the Central Limit Theorem.

Measuring Instruments

Use the term variable instead of construct.

  • variable: a construct that can take on two or more values or score

Measuring scales and quantitative variables:
(describes performance in quantitative terms)

  • Ratio Variables
  • Interval Variables
  • Ordinal Variables

Uses pencil and paper technique: Selection (multiple choice) and Supply (fill in the blanks) as data collection instrument.

  • Validity and Credibility only needed when there is relationship or hypotheses to be proved. Pure survey collection (which survey research do fall in) does not require it.

Usually, attitude scales will be used in the instrument (applied for all types of research design) such as: likert scale and semantic differential scale