Quantitative research- concerned with precise measurement, replicable, controlled and used to predict events. It is a formal, objective, systematic process. Numerical data are used to obtain information about the subject under study.
-uses data that are numeric
-primarily intended to test theories
-it is deductive and outcome orientated
-examples of statistical techniques used for quantitative data analysis are random sampling, regression analysis, factor analysis, correlation, cluster analysis, causal modeling and standardized tests
For comparative information on qualitative v.s. quantitative see: The University of Arkansas University Library Lib Guides
Related Information
Related Information
Control group- the group of subjects or elements NOT exposed to the experimental treatment in a study where the
sample is randomly selected
Experimental group- the group of subjects receiving the experimental treatment, i.e., the independent variable [controlled measure or cause] in an experiment.
Independent variable- the variable or measure being manipulated or controlled by the experimenter. The independent variable is assigned to participants by random assignment.
Dependent variable or dependent measure- the factor that the experimenter predicts is affected by the independent variable, i.e., the response, outcome or effect from the participants that the experimenter is measuring.
Four types of Quantitative Research
Descriptive
1] Descriptive- provides a description and exploration of phenomena in real-life situations and characteristics. Correlational of particular individuals, situations or groups are described.
Comparative
Comparative
2] Comparative- a systematic investigation of relationships between two or more variables used to explain the nature of relationships in the world. Correlations may be positive [e.g., if one variable increases, so does the other], or negative [correlation occurs when one variable increases and the other decreases].
Quasi-experimental
Quasi-experimental
3] Quasi-experimental- a study that resembles an experiment but random assignment had no role in determining which participants were placed on a specific level of treatment. Generally would have less validity than experiments.
Experimental [empirical]
Experimental [empirical]
4] Experimental [empirical] method- the scientific method used to test an experimental hypothesis or premise. Consists of a control group [not exposed to the experimental treatment, i.e.. is dependent] and the experimental group [is exposed to the treatment, i.e., independent]
Last Updated: Aug 24, 2020 10:33 AM
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Nonexperimental Designs
Nonexperimental designs include research designs in which an experimenter simply either describes a group or examines relationships between preexisting groups. The members of the groups are not randomly assigned and an independent variable is not manipulated by the experimenter, thus, no conclusions about causal relationships between variables in the study can be drawn. Generally, little attempt is made to control for threats to internal validity in nonexperimental designs. Non-experimental designs are used simply to answer questions about groups or about whether group differences exist. The conclusions drawn from nonexperimental research are primarily descriptive in nature. Any attempts to draw conclusions about causal relationships based on nonexperimental research are done so post hoc.
This entry begins by detailing the differences between nonexperimental and other research designs. Next, ...
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