Quantitative Research

Design
Sarah Sinks

Quantitative Research:
Systematic scientific investigation of data
and their relationships.

Overview of Qualitative research

The objective of quantitative research is to
develop and employ mathematical
models, theories and hypotheses
pertaining to natural phenomena.
Measuring is key in quantitative research
because it shows the relationship between
data and observation.

Correlational Research
To find if the data has an observable
relationship that can be further specified
in terms of magnitude and/or an increase
or decrease.

Characteristics of Correlational
Research
Correlation indicates the strength and
direction of a linear relationship between
variables.

Correlation and Significance

Is there a relationship
between two
variables/data?
What is the direction
of the relationship?
What is the
magnitude?

These relationships
may show any
tendency for the
variables to vary
consistently.
Pearsons product
moment coefficient
correlation: -1.0 to
+1.0

Ex post facto
from what is done afterwards

 Studies that investigate possible cause

and effect relationships by observing an
existing condition or state of affairs and
searching back in time for plausible causal
factors.

Characteristics of Ex Post Facto

Researcher takes the effect/dependent
variable and examines it retrospectively
Establishes causes, relationships or
associations and their meanings.
Researcher has little to no control over
independent variables.
Flexible by nature.

When to use this?

You can use this where more powerful
experimental designs are not possible;
when you are unable to select, control and
manipulate the factors necessary to study
cause and effect relationships directly, or
when control variables except a single
independent variable may be unrealistic
and artificial.

Ex post facto advantages and

disadvantages
Advantages
Show a correlation where
more rigorous
experimentation is not
possible
Exploratory tool
Useful to avoid articiality
in the research.
Shows cause and effect
relationships

Disadvantages
Lack of control for
independent variable and
randomizing subjects.
Never certain if causative
factor has been included
or identified
Relationship between two
factors does not est.
cause and effect.
May be regarded as too
flexible.

Experimental
Research in which the investigator
deliberately controls and manipulates the
independent variable to observe the effect
of that change on another the dependent
variable.

How and when to use

Experimental Research
Most commonly used in Educational
research.
You vary the independent variable and
look for the effect it has on the dependent
variable.

How and When to use Quasiexperimental research

Used when you have control over the
when and the whom of measurement,
but lack control over the when and to
whom of exposure.
Common in educational research.

How and when to use Single Case

research
Process of continuous assessment of
some aspect of human behavior over a
period of time.
Involves intervention effects, that are
replicated in the same subject(s) over
time.
Used in many fields including psychology,
education and social work.

How and when to use Metaanalysis research

Research to explore the effectiveness of
classroom methods.
Involves aggregating the results of other
studies into a coherent account.

Useful Terms
Correlation- Indicates the strength and direction
of a linear relationship between two random
variables.
Ex post facto- from the Latin for "from
something done afterward"
Quasi- the prefix 'quasi' denotes methods that
are "almost" or "socially approximate"
Variable- a measurable factor, characteristic, or
attribute of an individual or a system

References
Research Methods in Education 5 th
Edition, Louis Cohen, Lawrence, Manion
and Keith Morrison 2004, New York
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page,
4/10/2007