PR2
Polychotomous Variables
- have many categories. e.g. educational attainment and level performance.
Dichotomous Variables
- present only in two categories. e.g.gender (male and female), answer (yes or no) and veracity (true or false).
Step 1: Brainstorm for ideas Step 2: Read General Background Information Step 3: Focus on Your Topic Step 4: Make a List of Useful Keywords Step 5: Be Flexible Step 6: Define Your Topic as a Focused Research Question Step 7: Research and Read More About Your Topic Step 8: Formulate a Thesis Statement
STEPS Model 1 - How to Choose a Topic
OBJECTIVE CLEARLY DEFINED RESEARCH QUESTIONS. STRUCTURED RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS. NUMERICAL DATA. LARGE SAMPLE SIZES REPLICATION FUTURE OUTCOMES.
CHARACTERISTICS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
The current state of the field
Explain that the general field in which your current study is situated remains to be a significant area of research up to the present. Point out that it continues to interest many researchers and practitioners.
The research gap
Explain that there are other aspects under the topic which may not have been addressed by current practices and conventions in your field of study. It may be also possible that these established practices have failed to provide conclusive findings in investigating your chosen topic.
Research leads to the discovery of the unknown and the creation or invention of new things. Research can improve man's quality of life. Research aims to advance the personal and professional qualifications of a practitioner. Research reduces the burden of work. Research satisfies man's needs. In the 19th century, man lived in conventional way of living. It has been said that research has a big role in the advent of technology and the transformation of the society.
Importance of research
STRUCTURED RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS
Standardized instruments guide data collection, thus, ensuring the accuracy, reliability and validity of data. Data are normally gathered using structured research tools such as questionnaires to collect measurable characteristics of the population like age, socio-economic status, number of children, among others.
Observational Case Study Survey
Three ways a researcher can go about doing a descriptive research project
LARGE SAMPLE SIZES
To arrive at a more reliable data analysis, a normal population distribution curve is preferred. This requires a large sample size, depending on how the characteristics of the population vary. Random sampling is recommended in determining the sample size to avoid researcher's bias in interpreting the results.
Bivariate study:
Two variables are being studied
Ordinal Variables Nominal Variables Dichotomous Variables Polychotomous Variables
Under the Categorical Variables
Independent Variables Dependent Variables Extraneous Variables
Under the Experimental Variables
Predictor Variables Criterion Variables
Under the Non-experimental Variables
Continuous Variables Discrete Variables
Under the Numeric Variables
Numeric Variables
answer " how many" or "how much"
(1) Descriptive; (2) Correlational; (3) Quasi-experimental; and (4) Experimental.
four (4) main types of quantitative designs
The current state of the field The current and conventional practices in addressing the issue The research gap The contribution of the present study in addressing the research gap
four components to consider in establishing the research gap of your paper
CORRELATIONAL STUDY
is a quantitative method of research in which you have 2 or more quantitative variables from the same group of subjects, & you are trying to determine if there is a relationship (or co-variation) between the 2 variables (a similarity between them, not a difference between their means).
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH
is a study designed to depict the participants in an accurate way. More simply put, descriptive research is all about describing people who take part in the study.
research gap
is an issue that has not been fully addressed by previous studies. Doing this helps you show where your research stands in the academic field.
Quantitative research
is an objective, systematic empirical investigation of observable phenomena through the use of computational techniques. It highlights numerical analysis of data hoping that the numbers yield unbiased results that can be generalized to some larger population and explain a particular observation.
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
is commonly used in sciences such as sociology and psychology, physics, chemistry, biology and medicine etc.
topic
is the main organizing principle guiding the analysis of your research paper.
title
summarizes the main idea or ideas of your study.
Dependent Variables
usually affected by the manipulation of the independent variables. Also called "response" or "predicted variable".
Independent Variables
usually manipulated in an experiment.
Quantitative methods
emphasize objective measurements and the statistical, mathematical, or numerical analysis of data collected through polls, questionnaires, 2020.08.23 10:12:23 PM and surveys, or by manipulating pre-existing statistical data using computational techniques.
Predictor Variables
- changes the other variable/s in a non-experimental study.
Discrete Variables
- can only assume any whole value within the limits of the given variables. e.g.number of business locations, number of children in the family, total number of faculty members.
Nominal Variables
- can't be organized in a logical sequence. e.g. business types, eye colors, kind of religion.
Continuous Variables
- can assume any value between a certain set of real numbers. They depend on the scale used. e.g. time, age, temperature, height and weight.
Ordinal Variables
- can be logically ordered or ranked. E.g. academic grades such as A, B, C; clothing size such as X, L, M, S; and measures of attitudes like strongly agree, disagree, or strongly disagree.
Extraneous Variables
- also called "mediating" or "intervening variables."
Categorical Variables
- answer "what type" or "which category"
Criterion Variables
- usually influenced by the predictor variables
FUTURE OUTCOMES
By using complex mathematical calculations and with the aid of computers, if-then scenarios may be formulated thus predicting future results. Quantitative research puts emphasis on proof, rather than discovery
Numeric Variables Categorical Variables Experimental Variables Non-experimental Variables Variables according to the number being studied
Classifications of Variables
The contribution of the present study in addressing the research gap
Discuss how your own study will help fill in the research gap you have identified. Filling the gap may be in the form of a new methodology or approach, or the development of a new perspective or theory.
The current and conventional practices in addressing the issue
Discuss the current practices being used by researchers, practitioners, or authorities within the particular field of study you are investigating. Make sure to explain the merits of these practices and their contribution to your field of study.
NUMERICAL DATA
Figures, tables or graphs showcase summarized data collection in order to show trends, relationships or differences among variables. In sum, the charts and tables allow you to see the evidence collected.
Polyvariate:
More than two variables are being studied.
Univariate study:
Only one variable is being studied
REPLICATION
Quantitative methods can be repeated to verify findings in another setting, thus strengthen and reinforcing validity of findings eliminating the possibility of spurious conclusions.
OBJECTIVE
Quantitative research seeks accurate measurement and analysis of target concepts. It is not based on mere intuition and guesses. Data are gathered before proposing a conclusion or solution to a problem.
Research design
Refers to the overall strategy that you choose in order to integrate the different components of the study in a coherent and logical way, thereby ensuring you will effectively address the research problem.
by geographical area by culture by time frame by discipline by population group
Some common ways to limit a topic `
1. The purpose of the research 2. The narrative tone of the paper [typically defined by the type of the research] 3. The methods used
The following parameters can be used to help you formulate a suitable research paper title
a quantitative research approach can be used to establish methods that will help us find the bigger picture, create demographic characterizations that will be helpful when understanding how a specific society is organized, or organize reactions and opinions towards some critical topics in ways that we can be sure are veridical among society (for example, religious or political affiliations).
The importance of Research In anthropology
experimental tests on the durability, hardness, strength and elasticity of a materials are conducted. Quantitative method of research is also done to determine the number of population a gymnasium can cater or weight of cars a bridge can hold. The data become the basis of the mechanical properties of materials and designs that are the heart of engineering.
The importance of Research In engineering
since health practitioners are concerned with human life, the discharge of their duties is very critical. Thus, health care procedures, routines, and other systems must be based on the result of scientific investigation.
The importance of Research In medical and health allied services
the data collected from observations of a phenomenon, rate of processing of certain devices, and the time consumed for any procedures, can lead to a more responsible and accountable operation of the different components of technology.
The importance of Research In science and technology
quantitative research is a very valuable tool when it is used intelligently. It can improve the overall marketing; help the company make informed decisions on how to move forward with a particular product or service; and even solicit consumers' opinions for productivity
The importance of Research in Business
it can be used in measuring the level of performance of students and teachers, and in assessing the effectiveness of the methods and the different programs conducted, and the satisfaction of all stakeholders in the educational sector including the parents, administrators, community, the government and non-governmental organization.
The importance of Research in Education
CLEARLY DEFINED RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The researchers know in advance what they are looking for. The research questions are well-defined for which objective answers are sought. All aspects of the study are carefully designed before data are gathered.
It is objective The use of statistical techniques facilitates sophisticated analyses and allows you to comprehend a huge amount of vital characteristics of data. It is real and unbiased The numerical data can be analyzed in a quick and easy way. Quantitative studies are replicable Quantitative experiments are useful for testing the results gained by a series of qualitative experiments, leading to a final answer, and narrowing down of possible directions to follow
The strengths of quantitative research
Quantitative research requires a large number of respondents. It is costly The information is contextual factors to help interpret the results or to explain variations are usually ignored. Much information are difficult to gather using structured research instruments, specifically on sensitive issues like pre-marital sex, domestic violence, among others. If not done seriously and correctly, data from questionnaires may be incomplete and inaccurate.
The weaknesses of quantitative research
is any factor or property that a researcher measures, controls and/or manipulates. t is referred as the changing quantity or measure of any factor, trait, or condition that can exist in different amounts or types.
Variable
Univariate study: Only one variable is being studied Bivariate study: Two variables are being studied Polyvariate: More than two variables are being studied.
Variables according to the number being studied
Survey
defined as a brief interview or discussion with an individual about a specific topic
Observational
defined as a method of viewing and recording the participants
Case study
defined as an in-depth study of an individual or group of individuals
The background of the study
introduces important facets that establish the general context where the study revolves. This part may include the description of the subjects of the study or the history involving the research.
QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
involves selecting groups, upon which a variable is tested, without any random pre-selection processes.