Quantitative Research – Methods & How to analyse Data

12.08.20 Methodology Time to read: 5min

How do you like this article?

0 Reviews


Quantitative-Research-01

Quantitative research is an integral undertaking that helps researchers collect and analyse data to provide an accurate report. Therefore, in this article, we are going to look at important aspects of quantitative research, such as who uses it, when it is used, and its pros and cons. We have also included FAQs to help you understand the topic quantitative research.

Quantitative Research – In a Nutshell

  • Quantitative research relies greatly on numerical data
  • Observations can also be used to collect primary data that will then be analysed to draw results
  • Quantitative data uses simple tables and images to present analysed information
  • The interpretation of data can be based on two or more variables

Quantitative Research: Definition

Quantitative research is used by scholars looking to quantify the problem by generating numerical data that can be transformed into useful statistics. The method is used to quantify opinions, behaviours, attitudes, and many other defined variables and then generating results based on a larger sample population.

Give your thesis a final format revision prior to printing
Have a last check of your formatting with our 3D preview feature before sending your thesis to print. The accurate virtual representation of what the physical print will look like, affords you to ensure the printed version aligns with your expectations.

Quantitative Research Methods

Survey research is an essential tool in quantitative analysis. It can also be distinguished into four methods, such as survey research, correlational research, casual-comparative research, and experimental research.

Survey Research

Survey research is the most important for quantitative outcome research studies and methodologies. Surveys are used to ask questions to a given group of respondents using various tools such as online surveys, online polls, paper questionnaires, e.t.c.

Correlational Research

This involves a systematic comparison of two entities. This type of research is mainly conducted to reveal the relationship between two closely-knitted entities and how they impact each other. It is also carried out to give the value to two or more naturally occurring relationships.

Casual comparative research

This method mainly depends on comparison and is also known as experimental research. Researchers use this method to find out the cause-effect equation between various variables where a given variable is dependent on their other.

Experimental research

This method can also be referred to as experimentation and is heavily reliant on a theory. Just like the name suggests, it is based on one or several assumptions. These are theories that have not to be proven in the past and are, therefore, hypothetical. Thus, the research is carried out to prove or disapprove the statement.

Focus Group

In focus groups, researchers tend to engage a small group of participants in conversations that are designed to generate qualitative data that are relevant to the research questions. Focus groups can have between 5 and 15 participants. Most of the time, scientists use these focus groups to evaluate an event or trend within a given community.

Content Analysis

This method is mostly used by sociologists to analyse social life by carefully interpreting words and images from art, documents, music, e.t.c. The researchers observe how words and images are used within a given community to understand the aspects of their social life. They also take note of the contexts in which they are used so that they conclude a given culture.

maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-thesis-printing-binding

Thesis Printing & Binding

You are already done writing your thesis and need a high quality printing & binding service? Then you are right to choose BachelorPrint! Check out our 24-hour online printing service. For more information click the button below:

How to Analyse Data

In quantitative research, data collection accounts for the significant section of the study process. However, to make sense, this data has to be thoroughly analysed. In quantitative research, many methods can be used to analyse data.

Cross-tabulation

Cross-tabulation is a widely used form of quantitative data. It is mainly preferred because researchers use the standard table form to draw conclusions based on various sets of data. It features data that are interconnected.

Trend Analysis

This is a statistical method that helps to provide the ability to observe the data and details that have been sourced over a lengthy duration. It is used to collect feedback regarding data changes over a given period and also to help understand the differences in variables.

Quantitative Data Analysis: Steps

You want to start by relating measurement scales with available variables. Try to associates scales such as interval, ordinal, nominal, and ratio with the chosen variables. This is an important step, and you have to arrange everything carefully to avoid possible errors.

The next step involves connecting descriptive statistics with data. You want to link descriptive stats to encapsulate data. Establishing a pattern might be hard in the raw data. The most commonly used descriptive stats include; mode, mean, median, frequency, percentages, minimum and maximum values. From there, you will decide on a measurement scale and select the right tables to represent data and then analyse the data collected.

Choose BachelorPrint for printing & binding your thesis! CONFIGURE NOW!

Advantages & Disadvantages

In depth Interview-Advantages
  • Quantitative research can be tested and checked. This method needs careful experimental design and the ability to replicate the test and results.
  • It entails straightforward analysis. When quantitative data is collected, the nature of results will reveal the right statistical tests to use. This means that the interpretation and presentation of findings are straightforward and less prone to error.
  • Research that entails complex data and stats is considered to be impressive and valuable since most people do not understand the calculations involved.
In depth Interview-disadvantages
  • It might have some false focus on numbers. This method of data collection and analysis is quite limited in its pursuit of solid statistical relationships, which might compel the researchers to overlook the broader themes and relationships.
  • It might cause difficulty in setting up a research model. When conducting quantitative research, you need to come up with a hypothesis and come up with a transparent model for accumulating and analysing data. Any form of errors or mistakes when feeding the details might invalidate your results.
  • Quantitative research might also be misleading since most people tend to believe that it tends to be more scientific or credible than observational or qualitative research. However, this should not be the case since all sorts of research can be misleading and hard to interpret, depending on personal knowledge and skills.
Prevent Plagiarism
in Your Thesis
Make sure that your thesis is free from possible plagiarism!
To obtain a comprehensive plagiarism report in no more than 10 minutes, use the BachelorPrint Plagiarism Checker now. The plagiarism software will then detect and outline all citation errors in your thesis.

Quantitative Research - FAQ

Quantitative research is used by researchers looking to quantify the problem by the use of numerical data that can be changed into useful statistics. It is the opposite of qualitative research.

It is called quantitative research because it relies mainly on quantitative data from the research study.

The quantitative research approaches include study population and sampling, data collection, and data analysis.


From

Salome Stolle

How do you like this article?

0 Reviews
 
About the author

Salome Stolle works as the brand manager for the English market at BachelorPrint. Throughout her 12-year residency in Denmark, she completed her International baccalaureate and Master’s in Culture, Communication, and Globalization with a specialization in media and market consumption. Through this experience, she has gained advanced competencies in academic writing and a high proficiency level in the English language. With her passion for writing, she does not only deliver well-written content but also strives to adjust to the students’ demands.

Show all articles from this author
About
BachelorPrint | #1 Online Printing Service
For Australian Students

BachelorPrint is an online printing service specialised in printing and binding academic papers, theses, and dissertations. Offering a wide arrange of bindings and configurations, BachelorPrint aims to enable every Australian student to receive its desired binding. Additionally, BachelorPrint offers hundreds of educational articles on various topics regarding academic writing in its Study Guide, supporting students with writing their thesis or dissertation.


Our posts on other topics