1. DCE3004 RESEARCH METHODS: Quantitative Research Approach
Siti Noormi Alias, PhD
Department of Professional Development and Continuing Education
Faculty of Educational Studies
Universiti Putra Malaysia

2. Three major research approaches/paradigms
Quantitative research: Research that relies primarily on the collection of quantitative data
Qualitative research: Research that relies primarily on the collection of qualitative data
Mixed research: Research that involves the mixing of quantitative and
qualitative methods or other paradigm characteristics
The Research Continuum
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3. W i t h K n o w l e d g e W e S e r v e

5. Learning outcomes At the end of this session, students are able to:
Determine quantitative research assumptions and characteristics
Differentiate between different types of quantitative research design
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6. Assumptions of quantitative research
reality is objective, “out there,” and independent of the researcher;
reality is something that can be studied objectively; 
researchers should remain distant and independent of what is being researched; 
research is value-free--the values of the researcher do not interfere with, or become part of, the research; 
research is based primarily on deductive forms of logic and theories;
hypotheses are tested in a cause-effect manner;
goal is to develop generalizations that contribute to theory;
enables the researcher to predict, explain, and understand some phenomenon.
(Yilmaz, 2013, p. 314)
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7. purpose
Generalisability (Time and context free generalisations through nomothetic or generalised statements)
Prediction
Causal explanations
(Yilmaz, 2013, p. 314)
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8. approach Begins with hypotheses and theories Manipulation and control
Uses formal, structured instruments
Experimentation and intervention
Deductive
Component analysis
Seeks consensus, the norm
Reduces data to numerical indices
Abstract language in write-up
(Yilmaz, 2013, p. 314)
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9. Researcher role Detachment and impartiality Objective portrayal
Etic (outsider’s point of view)
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10. Quantitative research design
Cross-sectional
Experimental
Non-Experimental
Pre-experimental
Quasi-experimental research
True-experimental
Descriptive Survey research
Meta-analysis
Ex-post facto/ causal comparative research
Correlational research
Trend study
Cohort study
Panel study
Longitudinal
Single variable design
Factorial design
Timing of experience
Retrospective study
Prospective study
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11. Experimental research
Involve study of the effect of the systematic manipulation of one variable(s) on another variable.
The manipulated variable is called the experimental treatment or the independent variable.
The observed and measured variable is called the dependent variable.
The final component of an experimental study is to control extraneous variables .
An extraneous variable is any variable other than the independent variable that might influence the dependent variable.
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12. …cont. Classification according to number of independent variable
single-variable design has one manipulated independent variable
factorial designs have two or more independent variables, at least one of which is manipulated
Classification according to control over threats to internal validity
Pre-experimental - do not have random assignment of subjects to groups or other strategies to control extraneous variables
True-experimental - (also called randomized designs) use randomization and provide maximum control of extraneous variables
Quasi-experimental - lack randomization but employ other strategies to provide some control over extraneous variables
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13. Pre-experimental design
Design 1: One-group pretest-posttest design
Design 2: Static group comparison
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14. True-experimental design
Design 3: Randomized Subjects, Posttest-Only Control Group Design
Design 4: Randomized Matched Subjects, Posttest-Only Control Group Design
Design 5: Randomized Subjects, Pretest–Posttest Control Group Design
Design 6: Solomon Three-Group Design
Design 7: Solomon Four-Group Design
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15. Factorial design Design 8: Simple factorial design
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16. Quasi-experimental design
Design 9: Nonrandomized Control Group, Pretest–Posttest Design
Design 10: Counterbalanced Design
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17. Time-series design Design 11: One-Group Time-Series Design
Design 12: Control Group Time-Series Design
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18. Designs
Pre-experimental
True-experimental
Quasi-experimental
One-group pretest–posttest
Randomized Ss, posttest-only control group
Nonrandomized control group, pretest–posttest
Static group comparison
Randomized matched Ss, posttest-only control group
Counterbalanced
Randomized Ss, pretest–posttest control group
One-group time series
Solomon, three groups
Control group time series
Solomon, four groups
Simple factorial
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19. Non-experimental research
Researcher identifies variables and may look for relationships among them but does not manipulate the variables
Survey research (also called descriptive research)
uses instruments such as questionnaires and interviews to gather information from groups of individuals.
Surveys permit the researcher to summarize the characteristics of different groups or to measure their attitudes and opinions toward some issue.
Ex-post facto/causal comparative
similar to an experiment, except the researcher does not manipulate the independent variable, which has already occurred in the natural course of events
Correlational research
gathers data from individuals on two or more variables and then seeks to determine if the variables are related (correlated).
Correlation means the extent to which the two variables vary directly (positive correlation) or inversely (negative correlation).
The degree of relationship is expressed as a numeric index called the coefficient of correlation.
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20. W i t h K n o w l e d g e W e S e r v e