Assingment for Practical research II.

Quantitative research
Quantitive data are pieces of information that can be counted and which are
usually gathered by surveys from large numbers of respondents randomly
selected for inclusion. Secondary data such as census data, government statistics,
health system metrics, etc. are often included in quantitative research.
Quantitative data is analysed using statistical methods. Quantitative approaches
are best used to answer what, when and who questions and are not well suited to
how and why questions.
Strengths
 Findings can be generalised if selection process is well-designed and sample
is representative of study population
 Relatively easy to analyse
 Data can be very consistent, precise and reliable
Weakness
 Related secondary data is sometimes not available or accessing available
data is difficult/impossible
 Difficult to understand context of a phenomenon
 Data may not be robust enough to explain complex issues
KINDS OF QUANTITAVE RESEARCH
Survey Research
Survey research uses interviews, questionnaires, and sampling polls to get a sense
of behavior with intense precision. It allows researchers to judge behavior and
then present the findings in an accurate way. This is usually expressed in a
percentage. Survey research can be conducted around one group specifically or
used to compare several groups. When conducting survey research it is important
that the people questioned are sampled at random. This allows for more accurate
findings across a greater spectrum of respondents.
Correlational Research
Correlational research tests for the relationships between two variables.
Performing correlational research is done to establish what the affect of one on
the other might be and how that affects the relationship. Correlational research is
conducted in order to explain a noticed occurrence. In correlational research the
survey is conducted on a minimum of two groups. In most correlational research
there is a level of manipulation involved with the specific variables being
researched. Once the information is compiled it is then analyzed mathematically
to draw conclusions about the affect that one has on the other.
Causal-Comparative Research
Causal-comparative research looks to uncover a cause and effect relationship. This
research is not conducted between the two groups on each other. Rather than
look solely for a statistical relationship between two variables it tries to identify,
specifically, how the different groups are affected by the same circumstance.
Causal-comparative research involves ‘comparison.’ In causal-comparative
research the study of two or more groups is done without focusing on their
relationship. As always the use of statistical analysis is engaged to synthesize the
data in a clear method for presentation.
Experimental Research
Though questions may be posed in the other forms of research, experimental
research is guided specifically by a hypothesis. Sometimes experimental research
can have several hypotheses. A hypothesis is a statement to be proven or
disproved. Once that statement is made experiments are begun to find out
whether the statement is true or not. This type of research is the bedrock of most
sciences, in particular the natural sciences. If natural sciences, such as biology, are
something you are interested in you should check out Udemy’s course on writing
an A+ Biology Paper. It will help you use the types of quantitative research to great
effect.
KINDS OF VARIABLES
An independent variable is a variable in research that causes a change -- or is
presumed will cause a change -- to other variables in the research conducted.
Scientists can control the independent variable to monitor those changes or he
can presume a change and look for evidence of those changes to the other
variables.
The dependent variable (sometimes known as the responding variable) is what is
being studied and measured in the experiment. It's what changes as a result of
the changes to the independent variable. An example of a dependent variable is
how tall you are at different ages.
A control variable (or scientific constant) in scientific experimentation is an
experimental element which is constant and unchanged throughout the course of
the investigation.
Prepared by: FRANCIS BESTRE COSTILLAS 12-HAIRTAIL