Senior High School

NOT

PRACTICAL
RESEARCH 2
Quarter 1 - Module 1
Nature of Inquiry and Research

Department of Education ● Republic of the Philippines

Lesson
Introduction to
1 Quantitative Research

Quantitative Research

Quantitative research uses scientifically collected and

statistically analyzed data to investigate observable phenomena. A
phenomenon is any existing or observable fact or situation that we
want to unearth further or understand. It is scientific for the fact
that it uses a scientific method in designing and collecting
numerical data. Once data is collected, it will undergo statistical
analysis like Pearson’s r, t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
for analysis. Since data is analyzed statistically, it is imperative
that the data obtained must be numerical and quantifiable, hence
its name quantitative research.

Numerical data are generally easier to collect than

descriptions or phrases used in qualitative research. Information
like student’s grades in different subjects, number of hours
of engagement in social media platforms of teens, percentage of
consumers who prefer the color blue for soap packaging, average
daily Covid-19 patient recovery per region are just few examples
of research data expressed in numbers. Some data on the other
hand, are not directly countable and thus require conversion from
non-numerical information into numerical information. For
instance, determining which brand of canned sardines is the best
choice for consumers in terms of taste cannot be expressed in
numbers unless we do a survey using a rating scale. Several
forms of rating scales are available, e.g., the Likert scale that we
can use to quantify data. Usually, they come in a selection of
numbers with a corresponding meaning for each choice, for
example: 1= tastes very good, 2 = satisfactory, or 3 = undesirable.
Numerical choices convert texts into numbers so the researcher
can perform mathematical operations for faster, more accurate,
and more objective analysis.

Characteristics of Quantitative Research

Quantitative research is commonly used in natural

sciences research problems because of the following
characteristics:

1. LARGE SAMPLE SIZE. To obtain more meaningful

statistical result, the data must come from a large sample
size.

2. OBJECTIVE. Data gathering and analysis of results are done

accurately, objectively, and are unaffected by the
researcher’s intuition and personal guesses.

3. VISUAL RESULT PRESENTATION. Data is numerical,

which makes presentation through graphs, charts, and tables
possible and for better conveyance and interpretation.

4. FASTER DATA ANALYSIS. The use of a statistical tools

give way for a less time-consuming data analysis.

5. GENERALIZED DATA. Data taken from a sample can be

applied to the population if sampling is done accordingly, i.e.,
sufficient size and random samples were taken.

6. FAST DATA COLLECTION. Depending on the type of data

needed, collection can be quick and easy. Quantitative
research uses standardized research instruments that allow
the researcher to collect data from a large sample size
efficiently. For instance, a single survey form can be
administered simultaneously to collect various measurable
characteristics like age, gender, socio-economic status, etc.

7. RELIABLE DATA. Data is taken and analyzed objectively

from a sample as a representative of the population, making
it more credible and reliable for policymaking and decision
making.
 8. REPLICATION. The Quantitative method can be repeated to
verify findings enhancing its validity, free from false or
immature conclusions.

Strengths of Quantitative Research

The following are the strengths of quantitative research.

1. Quantitative research can be replicated or repeated.

2. Findings are generalizable to the population.
3. Conclusive establishment of cause and effect
4. Numerical and quantifiable data can be used to predict
outcomes
5. Fast and easy data analysis using statistical software.
6. Fast and easy data gathering
7. Very objective
8. Validity and reliability can be established

Weaknesses of Quantitative Research

The following are the disadvantages of quantitative research:

1. It lacks the necessary data to explore a problem or concept in
depth.
2. It does not provide comprehensive explanation of human
experiences.
3. Some information cannot be described by numerical data
such as feelings, and beliefs.
4. The research design is rigid and not very flexible.
5. The participants are limited to choose only from the given
responses.
6. The respondents may tend to provide inaccurate responses.
7. A Large sample size makes data collection more costly.

Kinds of Quantitative Research

Quantitative research is a broad spectrum that it can be

classified into smaller and more specific kinds: descriptive,
correlational, ex post facto, quasi-experimental, and experimental.
Descriptive design is used to describe a particular phenomenon
by observing it as it occurs in nature. There is no experimental
manipulation and the researcher does not start with a hypothesis.
The goal of descriptive research is only to describe the person or
object of the study. An example of descriptive research design is
“the determination of the different kinds of physical activities and
how often high school students do it during the quarantine period.”

The correlational design identifies the relationship between

variables. Data is collected by observation since it does not
consider the cause and effect for example, the relationship
between the amount of physical activity done and student
academic achievement.

Ex post facto design is used to investigate a possible

relationship between previous events and present conditions. The
term “Ex post facto”, means after the fact, looks at the possible
causes of an already occurring phenomenon. Just like the first
two, there is no experimental manipulation in this design. An
example of this is “how does the parent’s academic achievement
affect the children obesity?”

A quasi-experimental design is used to establish the cause and

effect relationship of variables. Although it resembles the
experimental design, the quasi-experimental has lesser validity
due to the absence of random selection and assignment of
subjects. Here, the independent variable is identified but not
manipulated. The researcher does not modify pre-existing groups
of subjects. The group exposed to treatment (experimental) is
compared to the group unexposed to treatment (control): example,
the effects of unemployment on attitude towards following safety
protocol in ECQ declared areas.

Experimental design like quasi- experimental is used to establish

the cause and effect relationship of two or more variables. This
design provides a more conclusive result because it uses random
assignment of subjects and experimental manipulations. For
example, a comparison of the effects of various blended learning
to the reading comprehension of elementary pupils.
Lesson
Importance of Quantitative Research Across
2 Fields

Importance of Quantitative Research Across Fields

The value of quantitative research to man’s quest to discover

the unknown and improve underlying conditions is undeniable.
Throughout history, quantitative research has paved the way to
finding meaningful solutions to difficulties. For instance, the
development of vaccines to strengthen our immunity against
viruses causing highly communicable diseases like polio,
influenza, chickenpox, and measles to name a few, underwent
thorough experimental trials. You bet, scientists and medical
experts all over the world today are working their best to fast track
the development, testing and release of the vaccine for the
Corona Virus Disease of 2019 (Covid-19) as the pandemic has
critically affected the world economy, education, as well as
physical and emotional well-being of people.

The findings of the quantitative study can influence leaders

and law-makers’ decisions for crafting and implementing laws for
the safety and welfare of the more significant majority. For
example, a community with high cases of Covid-19 positive
patients is mandated by law to be under Enhanced Community
Quarantine where only the most essential businesses can
operate. On the other hand, cities with less or zero case will be
under General Community Quarantine where some businesses,
public and private offices are already allowed to operate.

The table below shows some of the contributions of

quantitative research to other fields and their example.

Field Contribution/Application Example

Social Science  Effects of intervention The effects of
to group behavior. pandemic on
 Understanding cultural social behavior
or racial conflicts. and economic
 Human satisfaction and stability.
stressors
Natural and  Investigate the Antidiabetic
Physical effectiveness of a properties of
Sciences product or treatment to common
illnesses. Philippine herbs.
 Finding or enhancing
alternative energy
sources.
 Advancement in
material science.
Agriculture and  Increase the yield of The
Fisheries crops effectiveness of
 Prevention and cure for organic and
crops and livestock inorganic
diseases fertilizer to
vegetable
production.
Sports  Enhance athletic Diet and
performance exercise
techniques for
different kinds of
sports.
Business  Device marketing Effectiveness of
strategies Facebook ads
 Improve marketability on sales.
Arts and  Relationship between The effects of
Design color and architectural music on
space learning and
 Multimedia use and behavior.
adaptation for
recreation, business
marketing and lifestyle
changes.
Environmental  Causes and effects of The
Science climate change environmental
factors affecting
natural
calamities

Lesson
 Variables in
3 Quantitative Research

A Variable is anything that has a quantity or quality that

varies. For instance, during the quarantine period, your mother
planted tomato seedlings in pots. Now common understanding
from science tells you that several factors are affecting the growth
of tomatoes: sunlight, water, kind of soil, and nutrients in soil. How
fast the tomato seedlings will grow and bear fruits will depend on
these factors. The growth of tomatoes and the number of fruits
produced are examples of the Dependent Variables. The amount
of sunlight, water, and nutrients in the soil are the Independent
Variables. If there is an existing relationship between the
independent and dependent variables, then the value of the
dependent variable varies in response to the manipulation done
on the independent variable. The independent variable is also
identified as the presumed cause while the dependent variable is
the presumed effect.