Types of Quantitative Research | An Absolute Guide for Beginners

It does not matter which discipline a person belongs to. You have to come across quantitative research data once or multiple times in life. Most people often come across one or numerous questionnaires or surveys. 

Let’s take an example of quantitative research. A survey is conducted to determine how much time a shopkeeper takes to attend to a customer and how many times he/she walks into the shop. 

Here, the survey is conducted using different questions, such as how much time the shopkeeper takes to attend to the customer and how many times the customer comes in the shop.

These surveys aim to draw the most relevant analytical conclusions. That helps in understanding the targeted audience. 

A company uses various types of quantitative research to understand the product’s demand within the market. 

In this blog, we have given the necessary details about what quantitative research is. And its types. 

So, let’s move on to the details. 

What is quantitative research?

Quantitative research is one of the systematic techniques. It is used to collect the data using the sampling for quantitative methods. For example, online polls, questionnaires, and online surveys. You can seamlessly integrate them into your WordPress website using a versatile WordPress voting plugin, providing an interactive and engaging way to collect valuable insights from your audience.

The data is collected from both existing and potential users and represented numerically. 

Quantitative research is also used to measure the variables and analyze and register the relationships between the variable studies with a numerical system’s help.  

In quantitative research, information is collected via structured research, and the outcomes reflect or represent the population. 

Where do we use quantitative research?

Quantitative researchers use different tools to collect numeric data in terms of numbers and statistics. This data is represented in non-textual forms, such as charts, figures, and tables. 

Moreover, the researchers can take the non-numerical data to examine the information.

Quantitative research is using in several areas, such as:

• gender studies, 
• marketing,
• economics,
• demography,
• community health,
• sociology,
• psychology,
• education, and so on.

What are the 5 types of quantitative research?

Survey research

The survey is one of the primary statistical methods. It is used for different types of quantitative research. The aim is to provide a comprehensive description of the characteristics of the specific population or group. 

Both large and small organizations also apply the offline and online survey research methods. This helps them understand their users and their product and merchandise views.

Numerous methods exist to manage survey research. It can be done over the phone, in person, or by email or mail.

Descriptive research

It describes the present status of all the selected or identified variables. The basic objective of descriptive research is to describe and evaluate the people’s present status, conditions, settings, or events.

Descriptive research is considered to be one of the important types of quantitative research.

The most common descriptive questions start with “How much…”, “what is the…,” “what is a percentage of…,” and similar questions. 

Let’s take an example of this survey. An Exit poll is a descriptive survey that includes questions like: “Which candidate will win this election?” 

Moreover, the demographic segmentation survey might ask, “How many students between the ages of 18 and 25 study at night?”

Experimental research

This is one type of quantitative research, and as its name suggests, it is based on single or multiple theories. 

It refers to true experiments that utilize scientific techniques to verify the cause-effect relations within a group of variables. 

Therefore, more than one theory is used to conduct the particular research. An example of experimental research is “the effect of the particular dose and treatment on breast cancer.”

Experimental research can be implemented in various fields, including sociology, physics, biology, chemistry, medicine, and so on.

Correlational research

It is used for establishing relationships among two close entities. And determining the relational impact on each other.  

For such cases, a researcher requires a minimum of two different groups. Additionally, this research approaches and recognizes the patterns and trends in the data without going far into the observation to analyze various trends and patterns.

An example of correlational research is the correlation between self-esteem and intelligence.

Suppose your favorite ice cream truck has a specific jingle, and a car is coming to your area. The louder the jingle, the closer the ice cream truck will be. 

But, if two ice cream trucks are coming into your area, you can easily know which sounds are from your favorite ice cream truck. This is what you are not taught in your classroom, but you can relate the fact in your mind on your own. 

Moreover, it depends on your intelligence to quickly recognize without anybody’s help. This is what the correlation research method is.

Causal-comparative research

It is one of the scientific methods used to summarize the cause-and-effect equations among different variables. In causal relationships, a single variable is based on the complementary experimental variable.

The experimenters do not manipulate the independent variable. However, causal-comparative research can measure the impact of independent variables on the dependent variables.

Let’s take some examples: the impact of parents’ divorce on their children, the impact of sports activity on the participants, and so on.

Also Read

• What is probability and types of Probability Sampling
• Types of statistical analysis
• Types of statistical terms

Why do I select different types of quantitative research over qualitative research?

It has been seen that quantitative research is preferred over qualitative research. The reasons for this can be that quantitative research can be done fast, scientifically, acceptable, objective, and focused. 

In addition, there are several reasons to select different types of quantitative research. Let’s examine each one.

Deal with the larger sample data

The types of quantitative research results depend on the large sample size, which represents the population. The larger the sample size, the more valid the results will be.

Deal with the larger sample data

The types of quantitative research results depend on the large sample size, which represents the population. The larger the sample size, the more valid the results will be. 

Control-sensitive

Researchers have more control over the data collection methods, and this data is also different from the experiments.

Relatable

Researchers use different types of quantitative research. It is used to establish facts, make predictions, and test the previous hypotheses. 

The relatable aims to find evidence that may or may not support an existing hypothesis. By testing and validating the constructed theories, it can explain why a phenomenon has occurred.

Generalizable

A project can generalize the concepts more accurately. It also analyzes the causal relationship and predicts results. 
Moreover, the findings can be generalized when the selection processes are designed. The sample represents the population study.

Arrange in simple analytical ways

Data is collected in the form of statistics and numbers and arranged in charts, tables, figures, or other non-textual forms.

Fast

Data collection methods that use quantitative research are comparatively quick (such as telephone interviews). Some companies even use the best landline phone service for more professionalism and speed. 
Moreover, the data analysis is also comparatively less time-consuming (as it does use statistical software).

Consistent with data

Using the different types of quantitative research, you can easily get data. This data is reliable, precise, and consistent, numerical, and quantitative.

More structured

Researchers use different tools to obtain structured quantitative research data. The tools can be equipment or questionnaires for collecting numerical data.

Repeatable

The repeatable and replica methods are usually done in research studies. This leads to high reliability.

Decision-making

Data from quantitative research, such as demographics, market size, and user preferences, can help inform business decisions.

So, what are the methods of quantitative research?

The quantitative research method features objective calculations and mathematical, statistical, or numerical analysis. The data is collected by questionnaires, polls, and surveys for analysis. 

The quantitative research method mainly focuses on collecting numerical data. This data generalize across the set of people so that a specific phenomenon can be explained.

Researchers who use the quantitative research method try to identify and separate the variables. These variables are separated within a study framework, and researchers seek relationships, correlation, and casualties. 

After this, quantitative researchers try to control the system in which the information is being gathered. This helps avoid the variables’ risk, which allows accurate relationships to be identified.

What is the methodology for the quantitative research designs?

The structure of various types of quantitative research depends on the scientific method. 

This utilizes deductive reasoning, in which the researchers find out the hypothesis, gather the information, and use it for further investigation to prove whether the hypothesis is true or not. Once the analysis is done, share your summary.  

Therefore, a basic procedure is followed for the quantitative research design:

• Make the observations related to something, which is new and unexplained. Analyzing the present theory that is surrounded by issues or problems.
• Hypothesizing the observations’ explanations.
• Predicting the result depends on the hypothesis studies by formulating the plan for your prediction test control.
• Gather and process the information. If the prediction is right, move to the next step; otherwise, return to step 2. Develop new hypotheses based on the new knowledge and situations.
• Finally, verify the sample’s findings on different factors. Make the conclusions. Represent the outcomes in a well-structured manner to your audience.

Now, let’s check your knowledge regarding types of quantitative research!

Now, you have studied different types of quantitative research. Let’s check what you have learned. 

Take a quiz regarding the different quantitative research. Select the correct quantitative research type to the given statement. 

1. Do people think working from home is a great option to enhance the employee’s productivity with longer commutes?

• Descriptive Research
• Experimental Research
• Correlational Research
• Causal-Comparative Research

2. How frequently do employees get the chance of traveling for a holiday?

• Descriptive Research
• Experimental Research
• Correlational Research
• Causal-Comparative Research

3. What is the primary difference between senior citizens and Millennials regarding smartphone usage?

• Descriptive Research
• Experimental Research
• Correlational Research
• Causal-Comparative Research

4. How has the Covid-19 modified profession for white-collar employees?

• Descriptive Research
• Experimental Research
• Correlational Research
• Causal-Comparative Research

5. Does the management method of the car shop owners foretell the work satisfaction of car sales associates?

• Descriptive Research
• Experimental Research
• Correlational Research
• Causal-Comparative Research

Conclusion

There are various types of quantitative research. And researchers use different kinds of scientific tools to collect numeric data. 

It has been observed that the quantitative research survey questions are must. So that the participants can have an easy and effective medium to responses. 

Hope you easily understand the details mentioned in the blog. If you still have any queries, comment in the below section, and we will help you in the best possible way. Are you looking for statistics help for students? Get the best help from our experts to clear all your doubts.

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