In this summary 5, it covers the topic on Quantitative data. There is also comparison between quantitative as well as qualitative data. In quantitative research the aim is to determine the relationship between one thing (an independent variable) and another (a dependent or outcome variable) in a population. Quantitative research designs are either descriptive (subjects usually measured once) or experimental (subjects measured before and after a treatment). A descriptive study establishes only associations between variables. An experiment establishes causality.
For an accurate estimate of the relationship between variables, a descriptive study usually needs a sample of hundreds or even thousands of subjects; an experiment, especially a crossover, may need only tens of subjects. The estimate of the relationship is less likely to be biased if the researcher has a high participation rate in a sample selected randomly from a population. In experiments, bias is also less likely if subjects are randomly assigned to treatments, and if subjects and researchers are blind to the identity of the treatments.
Why use quantitative approaches?
Quantitative methods of data analysis can be of great value to the researcher who is attempting to
draw meaningful results from a large body of qualitative data. The main beneficial aspect is that it
provides the means to separate out the large number of confounding factors that often obscure the
main qualitative findings. Take for example, a study whose main objective is to look at the role of
non-wood tree products in livelihood strategies of smallholders. Participatory discussions with a
number of focus groups could give rise to a wealth of qualitative information. But the complex nature
of inter-relationships between factors such as the marketability of the products, distance from the
road, access to markets, percent of income derived from sales, level of women participation, etc.,
requires some degree of quantification of the data and a subsequent analysis by quantitative
methods. Once such quantifiable components of the data are separated, attention can be focused on
characteristics that are of a more individualistic qualitative nature.
When are quantitative analysis approaches useful?
Quantitative analysis approaches are meaningful only when there is a need for data summary across
many repetitions of a participatory process, e.g. focus group discussions leading to seasonal
calendars, venn diagrams, etc. Data summarisation in turn implies that some common features do
emerge across such repetitions. Thus the value of a quantitative analysis arises when it is possible to
identify features that occur frequently across the many participatory discussions aimed at studying a
particular research theme. If there are common strands that can be extracted and subsequently
coded into a few major categories, then it becomes easier to study the more interesting qualitative
aspects that remain.
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Quantitative approach:
§ It is categorized with descriptive research, correlational research, causal-comparative research and experimental research;
§ It collects numerical data in order to explain, predict and or control phenomena of interest;
§ Data analysis is mainly statistical.
Types of Quantitative Researches
v Descriptive: Descriptive research involves collecting data in order to test hypotheses or answer questions concerning the current status of the subjects of the study. It determines and reports the way things are.
v Correlational: Correlational research attempts to determine whether and to what degree a relationship exists between two or more quantifiable variables. However, it never establishes a cause-effect relationship. The relationship is expressed by correlation coefficient, which is a number between .00 and 1.00.
v Cause-comparative: Causal-comparative research: establishes the cause-effect relationship, compares the relationship, but the cause is not manipulated, such as "gender."
v Experimental: Experimental research establishes the cause-effect relationship and does the comparison, but the cause is manipulated. The cause, independent variable makes the difference. The effect, dependent variable is dependent on the independent variable.
Before Conducting a Quantitative Research
v Research plan: Research plan must be completed before a study is begun. Why?
§ The plan makes a research to think;
§ A written plan facilitates evaluation of the proposed study;
§ The plan provides a guide for conducting the study.
Ø Components of a Research Plan :
§ Introduction: It includes a statement of the problem, a review of related literature, and a statement of the hypothesis.
§ Method: This part includes subjects, instruments-- materials if appropriate, design procedure.
§ Data analysis: A description of the statistical technique or techniques that will be sued to analyze study data.
§ Time schedule: The time schedule is equally important for both beginning researchers working on the thesis or dissertation and for experienced researchers working under the deadlines of a research grant or contract. It basically includes a listing of major activities or phases of the proposed study and a corresponding expected completion time for each activity.
§ Budget: It should list all tentative expenses specifically and submitted to funding agency. It includes such items as personnel, clerical assistance, travel and postage and other expenses, equipment, and fringe benefits etc.
v Ethical consideration:
Ø THREE ethical considerations are:
§ The subjects should not be harmed in any way (physically or mentally) in the name of science. If an experiment involves any risk to subjects, they should be completely informed concerning the nature of the risk and the permission for participation in the experiment should be acquired in writing from the subjects themselves, or from persons legally responsible for the subjects if they are not of age. If school children are involved, it is a good idea to inform parents before the study is conducted if possible.
§ Subject’s privacy should be strictly confidential. Individual scores should never be reported, or made public.
§ Ethical principle in the conduct of research with human participants is the most definitive source of ethical guidelines for researcher. It is prepared and published by the American Psychological Association (APA). “.... with respect and concern for the dignity and welfare of the people who participate and with cognizance of federal and state regulations and professional standards governing the conduct of research with human participants.” That is “to respect and concern for the dignity and welfare of the people who participate.”
more elaborations and explanations can be referred in HOW TO DESIGN AND EVALUATE RESEARCH IN EDUCATION by Fraenkel, Wallen and Hyun (8th edition).
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