ED 589: Educational Research Methods Quantitative Research Elements

Quantitative Research Quantitative is a term that refers to 2 concepts or big ideas: (1)The nature of knowledge—How do we know what we know. (2) research methods—How we collect data.

Quantitative Research …is based on logical positivism. In other words there is a set of stable social facts with one reality and the reality can be separated from individuals’ feelings

Quantitative Research Designs Experimental and Non Experimental Designs

Quantitative Research Designs Experimental Designs –True experimental –Quasi Experimental –Single subject

Quantitative Research Designs –True experimental random assignment of the subjects into either the treatment group or the control group (non- treatment groups ) The treatment group is given a special intervention Study the effects of the intervention

Quantitative Research Designs True experimental Random Assignment into one of 2 or 3 or 4 groups Student A—>Group A Pretest —>Intervention A—> Posttest Student B—> Group B Pretest —>Intervention B—> Posttest Student C—> Group C Pretest —>Intervention C—> Posttest McM/Sch p. 270

Quantitative Research Designs True experimental 9th graders were Random Assigned into 4 instructional groups ( –Group 1: explicit word recognition, –Group 2: explicit comprehension, –Group 3: Both explicit word recognition & comprehension, and –Group 4: practiced reading skills without instruction

Quantitative Research Designs Quasi Experimental –To determine a cause and effect –No random assignment of subjects –A matched classroom or group to compare to

Quantitative Research Designs Example of a Quasi Experimental Study Class A —>Pretest—>Interv— Posttest Class B —>Pretest—>No Interv— Posttest » McM/Sch p. 274

Quantitative Research Designs Non-Experimental Study—>Surveys –Selects a small sample from a larger population and administers a questionnaire –To learn about people’s attitudes, beliefs, opinions, values, behaviors, habits, ideas –Describe the incidence, frequency, and distribution of the characteristics of a populationTrue experimental McM/Sch p. 233

Quantitative Research Designs Surveys –DESCRIPTIVE: What are the most prevalent counseling techniques used by high school counselors? –RELATIONSHIP: Is there a relationship between teacher attitude toward discipline and student satisfaction with the class? –EXPLANATORY: Why are the students in one school achieving better than similar students in another school? McM/Sch p. 233

Chapter 3—Methodology Fundamental research design: Quantitative Subjects Instrument Procedures Data Analyses –Descriptive Statistics –Inferential Statistics

Considerations: Designing Your Study Who do you have access to? people and sites You need to make Time for collecting the data and analysis Resources: copies of questionnaires, or copies of tests, If mailing: stamps, envelops, Things to Consider: ordering an instrument or designing your own instrument