Quantitative Research

Dr. Andy Van NeutegemKIN 515 GAP ANALYSIS

Lecture outlines

Objectives of quantitative research Main features in quantitative Data collection Limitations in quantitative

What is meant by approach?

It is the whole design

including; assumptions, the process of inquiry, the type of data collected and the measuring of findings.

Two Paradigms, TwoWorldviews

• Quantitative = counting, numbers

• Qualitative = watching, listening,understanding, words

• One study can collect both types ofdata, called mixed-methods design.

Research design

” Logical structure of the research (data)

“The function of a research design is to ensure that the evidence obtained enables us to answer the initial question as unambiguously as possible.”

(David de Vaus: Research Design in Social Research, 2001)

Elements of research design

• Description, comparison, classification, explanation?

• Time dimension: longitudinal or cross sectional?• Number of measurements? Prospective or retrospective?• Interventions?• Target population and research units?• Need for generalizations?• Method of data collection• Comparisons: good research design enables• explanations that contradict theory/hypotheses• Logical structure of research and data

Vocabulary for QuantitativeParadigm

• Experiment• Quasi-experiment• Correlation• Descriptive• Survey• Control• Treatment• Subject

Quantitative research is similar to traditional scientific methods

Stating in advance the hypothesis and research question.

Determine the methods of data collection and analysis.

The findings are presented in statistical language.

Quantitative research Main feature

Quantitative research is described as producing generalizable findings through randomization and representative sampling.

Henwood and Pidgeon 1993, stated that quantitative research deals with quantities and numbers while qualitative research deals with quality and description which is too simple and unhelpful.

The purpose of quantitative research is to measure concepts or variables that are predetermined objectively and to examine the relationship between them numerically and statistically.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

The investigator planning an experiment has many experimental design option to choose. Experimental designs fall into two major categories.

True or Classical experimental design Pre- experimental design

TRUE OR CLASSICAL EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

There are three major subdivisions in true or classical experimental design

Pre test – post test control group design Solomon four group design After / post test only experimental design

PRE TEST – POST TEST CONTROL GROUP DESIGN

Experimental group

experimental treatment Pre test Post test

Control group

Pre test Post test

PRE TEST – POST TEST CONTROL GROUP DESIGN In this design, subjects have been designed

randomly to the experimental or control group

The experimental treatment is given only to those in the experimental group, and the pre tests and post tests are those measurements of the dependent variables that are made before and after the experimental treatment is performed.

The investigator is able to account for events occurring between time 1 and time 2 through observation of control group

It also enables the investigator to control for changes in the instrumentation, since changes or drifts in measurement should affect both groups equally

Randomization decreases selection bias and maturation.

advantages

AFTER / POST TEST ONLY CONTROL GROUP DESIGN

Experimental group

experimental treatment Post test

Control group

Post test

AFTER / POST TEST ONLY CONTROL GROUP DESIGN

This is composed on two randomly assigned groups, but neither of which is pretested or premeasured in the before period of time.

The independent variable introduced into experimental group and withheld from the control group.

ADVANTAGE

This design can be useful in situation where it is not possible to pretest the subjects or pretest is non essential

Limitations of Quantitative Approach

It is difficult to understand human phenomena e.g. when studying human behavior, it is possible only to study what is observable. So the phenomena is revealed partially.

Some researches claim that many influences affect people’s response to questions i.e. it is not purely objective.

Some standardized scales may be interpreted differently by participants.

Exercise

Use the provided journal article and create a mind-map of the various details/aspects of the quantitative methodology

Use key words to capture the methodology used!

Investigate key words that you do not understand!

Start with categories to focus your analysis: statistical methods, reliability tests, statistical tests or descriptors,

Exercise

Research a journal article related to any aspect of your sport or athlete’s performance.

Ensure that it employs quantitative methodologies.

Provide an overview of the quantitative approach and be ready to present in a student forum.

Evaluate the effectiveness of the methodological approach to answer the research question.

It is better to view quantitative and qualitative research not as dichotomous but as various tools.

Thank you