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Characteristics
Strengths
Constructed theories are tested and validated based on how and why phenomena occur.
Hypothesis can be constructed subject for investigation and test.
Research findings can be generalized when many different populations and subpopulations has
been simulated.
It is useful for obtaining data which allows quantitative predictions to be done.
Allowing one to more credibly establish cause-and-effect relationships, the researcher may
create a situation that eliminates the confusing influence of many variables.
Having a data collection using some quantitative methods is relatively quick (e.g. telephone
interviews)
It provides an accurate, quantitative, numerical data.
Data analysis is less time consuming (using statistical software).
The research results are independent of the researcher (e.g. statistical significance)
With many people in power, it may have higher credibility (e.g. administrators, politicians, and
people fund programs).
It is very useful for studying a large number of people.
Weaknesses
The used variables of a researcher might not reflect the understandings of local constituencies.
The used theories of a researcher might not reflect the understandings of local constituencies.
The researcher might miss out on phenomena occurring because of the focus on theory or
hypothesis testing rather than on theory or hypothesis generation (called the confirmation bias).
The produced knowledge could be so abstract and general for direct application to specific local
situations, contexts and individuals.
According to April Klazema (2014), there are four kinds of quantitative research for students and
researchers.
1. Survey Research
o It uses interviews, questionnaires, and sampling polls to get a sense of behavior with intense
precision.
o It allows researchers to judge behavior and then present the findings in an accurate way.
o Survey research can be can be conducted around one group specifically or used to compare
several groups.
2. Correlational Research
o It tests for the association between two variables.
o Is done to establish what the effect of one on the other might be and how that affects the
relationship.
o Is conducted in order to explain a noticed occurrence.
o In correlational research the survey is conducted on a minimum of two groups.
3. Causal-Comparative Research
o It looks to uncover a cause and effect relationship.
o This research is not conducted between the two groups.
o Rather than look solely for a statistical relationship between two variables it tries to identify,
specifically, how the different groups are affected by the same circumstance.
o Involves comparison.
4. Experimental Research
o Guided specifically by a hypothesis. Sometimes experimental research can have several
hypothesis.
o A hypothesis is a statement to be proven or disapproved. Once the statement is made
experiments will be conducted to find out whether the statement is true or not.
o This type of research is the bedrock of most sciences, in particular the natural sciences. If natural
sciences, such as biology, are something you are interested in you should check out Udemy’s
course on writing an A+ Biology Paper.
KINDS OF VARIABLES
1. Definition of Variable
According to Tejero (2006 in Sevilla et al. 1992) “variables is a characteristics that has two or
more actually exlusive values or properties.
Variables are construct or properties being studied.
2. Independent Variable
It is factor that is measured, manipulated or selected by the experimenter to determine its
relationship to an observed phenomenon.
It is a stimulus variable or input operates within a person or within his environment to effect
behavior.
Independent variable may be called factor and its variation is called levels.
3. Dependent Variable
It is response variable or output.
Is the factor that is observed and measured to determine the effect of the independent variable;
it is the factor that appears, disappears, or varies as the researcher introduces, removes, or varies
the independent variable.
4. Moderate Variable
It is the factor that is measured, manipulated or selected by the experimenter to discover whether
it modifies the relationship of the independent variable to an observed phenomenon.
The term moderate variable describes a special type of independent variable, a secondary
independent variable selected to determine if it affects the relationship between the study’s
primary independent variable and its dependent variable.
5. Control Variable
It refers to the factor controlled by the experimenter to cancel out or neutralize any effect they
might otherwise on the observed phenomena.
A single study cannot examine all of the variables in a situation (situational variable) or in a person
(dispositional variable): some must be neutralized to guarantee that they will not exert differential
or moderating effects on the relationship between the independent variables and dependent
variables.
6. Controlling Variable
Is the factor that theoretically effects observed phenomena but cannot be seen, measured, or
manipulated; its effects must be inferred from the effects of the independent and moderate
variable on the observed phenomena.
Two Types
o Problem-based learning- starts with a problem that has been designed by an instructor for
didactic purposes with the aim of motivating the learning of a certain bodies of knowledge.
o Inquiry-based learning- begins with the exploration of a theme that leads the student to
formulate a central question on their own, with the aim of developing skills needed to bring
research to bear on the understanding of that question (Hudsptih and Jenkins, 2004)
Avoid: Drug XYZ has an effect of muscular contraction for an hour in snails of Achatina fulcia species
Better: Drug XYZ induces muscular contraction in Achatina fulcia snails.