Quantitative research is one of the best ways to prove or disprove a hypothesis; it is aim at understanding the theories or description of social reality. It answers primarily to how and why? - questions. In addition, a hypothesis is a tentative explanation that accounts for a set of facts and can be tested by further investigation. Hence, a quantitative researchers design studies that allow us to test these hypotheses.
Quantitative research uses variables due to the fact that certain events can be quantified, measured and expressed via numbers and statistic. The observation or events can be then transformed into a data matrix which is the initial point for the analysis. Hence, objectivity is critical for quantitative research. Variable is the observable and measurable characteristic of an observation unit, whereas, the observation units can be individual, group, institution, organization, text, event or activities.
Some of the strength of quantitative research is that it enables the study and description of social structure and processes that are not directly observable and it facilitates analysis and explanation of dependencies between social phenomenon. On the other hand, one of its weaknesses is it can only be used for measurable phenomenon.
The reason of a research design is to make sure that the evidence attained enables you to answer the initial question an unambiguously as possible. Planning the research, for a successful research planning you have to select the theme, get acquainted with the previous research on similar theme, select the theoretical approach, specify the research problem, and plan the empirical research process. Some of the elements of research design is consist of, description, comparison, time dimension, need for generalizations, ect.,
Sampling the data occurs when there is a large group of cases; therefore, the researchers study a sample of the group. However, there is a risk that a unit maybe bad in that sampling; therefore, this risk I minimized by random sampling. Furthermore, the risk of sampling error can be statistically estimated. The data can be obtained by conducting surveys research, systematic observation, text analysis, statistical data, and register data.
To conclude, quantitative research in general is a great research method to make significant discoveries that can improve the effectiveness of a phenomenon or event. I personally have no experience in conducting a quantitative research yet; however, I have been one of the participants of quantitative research survey base on a poll that I had recently participated in for the city of Seattle. The company did use a quantitative questionnaire research approach to collect feedback from me. Reading this presentation about quantitative research helps me put things in perspective for any future quantitative research that I may have to be part of.
Reference
Mamia,T. (n.d).
Quantitative Research Methods. ERAU.Retrieved
from https://erau.instructure.com/courses/19283/pages/a500-dot-7-1-dot-cr readings?module_item_id=586162
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