Research Design Quantitative

Quantitative Research Design Quantitative Research is the cornerstone of evidence-based practice It provides the knowledge for practice in a way that is measurable and that can be replicated It uses measurement to determine the effectiveness of an intervention or the relationships seen among variables and to report these with a certain level of confidence Numbers are unambiguous and identify truths in a universally recognized way.

Quantitative Research Design Quantitative design is used to: Determine the effects of an intervention – it can isolate and evaluate the effects of an intervention - the independent variable on a specific outcome – the dependent variable Measure relationships between or among variables Measure change, or lack of change, over time

Steps in Quantitative Research Identify the problem Determine the purpose Review the literature Select a framework into which the problem fits Formulate research questions and hypotheses Define the study variables

Steps in Quantitative Research Select the research design Identify the population of interest Select the method to use for sampling Conduct a pilot study (if necessary) Collect and organize the data Analyze the data Interpret the findings Communicate and use the findings

Quantitative Study Designs Characteristics of True Experiments Manipulation – the experimenter does something to at least some of the subjects. The experimenter varies the independent variable and observes the effect that the manipulation has on the dependent variable. Control – the experimenter introduces one or more controls over the experimental situation including the use of a control or comparison group. Scientific evidence requires making at least one comparison – comparison with the norm can be assumed

Quantitative Study Designs Characteristics of True Experiments cont. Randomization – the experimenter assigns subjects to a control or an experimental group on a random basis. Randomization remains the most trustworthy and acceptable method of equalizing groups. Settings for True Experiments Settings can be in the field or in the laboratory. Since control is important, field experiments are much more difficult because of contamination of treatments – people may talk to each other and tell what’s happening

Quantitative Research Considerations When comparisons are made in quantitative research they can be: Comparisons of two or more groups Comparisons of one group at two or more points in time Comparisons of one group under different circumstances or conditions Comparisons of relative rankings