NATURE OF

INQUIRY AND
RESEARCH
JOEISA M. PRESBITERO
INTRODUCTION TO QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH
 Quantity is the unit of analysis
 Amounts
 Frequencies
 Degrees
 Values
 Intensity

 Uses statistics for greater precision and objectivity

 Explains phenomenon by collecting data which will be analyzed
through mathematical methods or tools
CHARACTERISTI
CS OF A
QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH
VALIDTIY
 Focus on the correctness and accuracy of data
 The degree to which a study’s measurements and observations
represent what they are supposed to characterize
 “Truth in measurement”
 Answers the question: Did you measure what you intended to
measure?
RELIABILITY
 can be defined something like the degree to which the
results of research measurements and observations are
consistent
 Two general reliability concepts:
 Test-retest reliability – measurements over time yield similar
values
 Inter-rater reliability – similar values are obtained by
multiple individuals measuring the same phenomenon
GENERALIZABILITY
 can be defined as the degree to which the results of a study can be
generalized, or are meaningful, beyond the sample in a study to the
population that the sample represents
 generalizability of a study can be enhanced in at least four ways:
1. Narrowly define the population you are trying to sample from
2. Choose participants with random or stratified selection into the
study and then into whatever groups you may want to compare
3. Control for self-selection and mortality of participants
4. Use the qualitative concept of transferability
REPLICABILITY
 can be defined as the degree to which a study supplies sufficient
information for the reader to verify the results by replicating or
repeating the study
 the study should be so clearly described that a reader could in fact
repeat the study if they were so inclined.
 One way to check this is to ask a colleague to read the report and
give you feedback with the notion of replicability
WHAT ARE THE
STRENGTHS AND
WEAKNESSES OF
QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH?
 STRENGTHS AND
WEAKNESSES OF A
QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
 STRENGTHS AND
WEAKNESSES OF A
QUANTITATIVE
1.
RESEARCH
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
Provides estimates of populations at large. 1. No subject-researcher relationship
2. Indicates the extensiveness of attitudes held by 2. Sampling Procedure
people. 3. The methodology dismisses the experiences
3. Provides results which can be condensed to statistics. of the individual as unimportant
4. Allows for statistical comparison between various 4. Soft data is not included
groups.
5. Has precision, is definitive and standardized.
6. Measures level of occurrence, actions, trends, etc.
7. Can answer such questions as "How many?" and
"How often?"
WHAT ARE THE
IMPORTANCE OF
QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH?
1. When we want a quantitative answer.
2. Numerical change can likewise only
accurately be studied using quantitative
methods
3.Quantitative research is also useful to
quantify opinions, attitudes and behaviors and
find out how the whole population feels about
a certain issue
4. Quantitative research is suitable to explain some
phenomena.
5. The final activity for which quantitative research
is especially suited is the testing of hypotheses.
6.Quantitative research is useful for conducting
audience segmentation. It is done by dividing the
population into groups whose members are
similar to each other and distinct from other
groups.
IMPORTANCE OF
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
1. When we want a quantitative answer.
 Example, `If the students have their choice, how many of them choose to study Experiential English
I?' or `How many English teachers in the Language Institute would like to teach Experiential English
courses instead of Foundation English courses?'
2. Numerical change can likewise only accurately be studied using quantitative methods
 ‘Are the numbers of students in our university rising or falling?’ or ‘Is achievement in English of our
students going up or down?’
3. Quantitative research is also useful to quantify opinions, attitudes and behaviors and find out
how the whole population feels about a certain issue
 For example, when we want to find out the exact number of people who think a certain way, to set
baselines (e.g., to measure consumer attitudes regarding an issue prior to a campaign), and to ensure
that the students can share some comments or ideas to a new course.
IMPORTANCE OF
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
4. Quantitative research is suitable to explain some phenomena.
 ‘What factors predict the general English proficiency of the fourth year students?’ or ‘What
factors are related to changes in student English achievement over time?’
5. The final activity for which quantitative research is especially suited is the
testing of hypotheses.
 ‘There is a relationship between students’ achievement and their self-esteem and social
background.’
6. Quantitative research is useful for conducting audience segmentation. It is
done by dividing the population into groups whose members are similar to
each other and distinct from other groups.