Question 1 Quantitative research can be described as Objective and formal Subjective and formal Objective and informal Subjective and informal Question 2 A quantitative research study must have ratio level data must have at least interval level data uses participant observation uses standardized measures Question 3 The blueprint for quantitative studies is termed research design research goal research objective research process Question 4 Methods to collect data in a descriptive quantitative study could include all but
the following answers: a) surveying participants through questionnaires, b) conducting interviews, c) observing participants in natural settings, and d) analyzing existing data.
Question 5 The primary advantage of quantitative research is that it allows for objective and reliable data collection allows for greater depth of understanding allows for subjective interpretation allows for qualitative analysis.
Question 6 The primary limitation of quantitative research is that it is time-consuming and expensive lacks flexibility and depth lacks generalizability lacks reliability and validity.
Introduction
Quantitative research is a systematic and rigorous approach to scientific investigation that focuses on the empirical collection and analysis of numerical data (Bryman, 2016). It is widely used in various fields such as social sciences, psychology, economics, and education. This research method aims to uncover patterns, relationships, and trends among variables to draw objective and generalizable conclusions.
Question 1: Objective and formal
Quantitative research can be described as objective and formal. The objective nature of quantitative research refers to its emphasis on gathering empirical evidence and eliminating subjectivity in the data collection and analysis process. The formal aspect refers to the use of standardized methods, procedures, and statistical techniques to ensure accuracy, reliability, and replicability in the study.
Quantitative research relies on the use of numerical data, statistical analysis, and mathematical models to determine the strength and significance of relationships between variables (Taylor, Bogdan, & DeVault, 2016). The researcher’s role is to collect data objectively, analyze it statistically, and interpret the findings based on established rules and principles.
Question 2: Must have at least interval level data
A quantitative research study must have at least interval level data. Interval level data allows for measuring the magnitude of differences between variables, but it does not have a true zero point. Examples of interval level data include temperature measured in Fahrenheit or Celsius, Likert-scale ratings, or academic grades. In addition to interval level data, quantitative research can also utilize ratio level data, which has a true zero point and allows for the meaningful interpretation of ratios and proportions (Bryman, 2016).
Question 3: Research design
The blueprint for quantitative studies is termed research design. Research design refers to the overall plan or strategy that outlines how data will be collected, analyzed, and interpreted in a quantitative study (Bryman, 2016). It includes decisions regarding the selection of research participants, data collection methods, sampling techniques, and statistical analysis procedures. The research design serves as a roadmap for the entire research process, guiding the researcher’s actions and ensuring the validity and reliability of the study’s findings.
Question 4: Observing participants in natural settings
Methods to collect data in a descriptive quantitative study could include surveying participants through questionnaires, conducting interviews, or analyzing existing data. However, observing participants in natural settings is not typically used in descriptive quantitative research. Descriptive quantitative research focuses on describing and analyzing existing phenomena rather than actively engaging with participants in natural settings.