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Nature of quantitative research method
Describe the nature of quantitative research
Explain the nature of quantitative research
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3.0 Methodology
In metrology will discuss the main method that apply in this research report, which is quantitative research method and delivery and collection method. The questionnaire design and sampling method will be explain and discuss in metrology part.
3.1 Quantitative Research Method
According to (John W. Creswell 2003 and Gunderson 2000) giving a very clear definition that quantitative research method is the type of research by using collecting numerical data to explaining the particular phenomena and the numerical data that can be analyze by using mathematically. Quantitative research method, researcher will design a quantitative from for respondent to answer the question with numbers and the researcher will collect the numerical data as an evidence from the respondent. The researcher will according the data and analyze by using the mathematically method and statistics. The strength of quantitative research is neutral and can be easily analyze.
3.2 Questionnaire
A question is a “tools” to collect numbers of the information and data from respondent. It will design with a list of question for respondent to answer the question. The entire question will be relevant with the research objective. According to (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill 2009)
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A sample is a “subgroup of a population” (Frey 2000). Non-probability sampling does not involve random selection of respondents (Moser and Stuart 1953, and Stephan and McCarthy 1979). To estimate the confidence intervals for the statistic, non-probability is able to estimate (William 2006). With non-probability samples, it may to represent the population well and often to be hard for us to know how well the sample done so. In non-probability sampling method, there can be dividing into three types and those are convenience, purposive and
Two sampling methods include mail surveys and convenience sampling, a variation of a nonprobability sample. Mail surveys, inexpensive way to contact individuals over a large geographical area, provide anonymity to the respondent, and eliminate interview bias. Convenience sampling, a nonprobability sample, the only criteria is the convenience of the unit to the researcher, fast and uncomplicated, but the sampling error not determined.
Research can be quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative research is objective and involves measuring the phenomena under investigation. Qualitative research is subjective, explores experiences and feelings, and involves the recording of phenomena that cannot easily be quantified (Toates, 2010, pp. 5-6). Both are empirical since they involve data collection (OU, n.d.).
In statistics, a population is a collection of individuals, things, events, etc. The population is the topic that one wants to make inferences on, whereas a sample is a subset of the population that is being collected—to be studied. After the sample is studied in statistics, one draws an inference of the population. There are four general sampling methods used in statistics: representative sample, random sample and quasi-random sample, stratified and quota sample, convenience sample, and purposive sample. A representative sample should be unbiased and thus properly indicate a characteristic of the entire population. In a random sample nothing is biased; in other words, every individual, thing or event in the population has the same chance of being selected for the sample. Therefore, because of the randomness of the sampling, the selection of one item from the population in no way effects the selection of another item. A quasi-random sample is simply a number (nth), which is
According to Smith (1983) quantitative research is to explain, predict and develop laws that can be universally applied and Qualitative research is the interpretation and understanding of what people give to their situation. The researchers clearly stated the purpose of their studies, aim, objectiv...
In the previous chapters I discussed the problem of the lack of healthy eating promotion programs in schools are leaving parents and students uneducated about how to purchase healthy items which is leading to childhood obesity. I also discussed how the problem is being addressed, as well as the theory of social constructionism. In this chapter, I will discuss the specific methodology I plan to use and the three different types of data collection I plan to employ to carry out my study. This study will use a qualitative approach to study and address the issue of the lack of healthy eating promotion in schools. The three types of data collection I plan to use are: direct observation, focus groups and a questionnaire. These methods will be clarified later in this chapter.
On the other hand, Quantitative research refers to “variance theory” where quantity describes the research in terms of statistical relationships between different variables (Maxwell, 2013). Quantitative research answers the questions “how much” or “how many?” Quantitative research is an objective, deductive process and is used to quantify attitudes, opinions, behaviors, and other defined variables with generalized results from a larger sample population. Much more structured than qualitative research, quantitative data collection methods include various forms of surveys, personal interviews and telephone interviews, polls, and systematic observations. Methods can be considered “cookie cutter” with a predetermined starting point and a fixed sequence of
The research carried on both quantitative approach and qualitative approach. It began with quantitative approach—questionnaire. Bryman and Bell (2003) asserted that mail or postal questionnaires are most popular forms of questionnaires. Another form—self-completion questionnaire was also common because of the overlap with postal questionnaire to some extent.
Quantitative research uses a deductive reasoning also known as top to bottom or (top down approach) starting with a theory, then the hypothesis, followed by observation and finally confirmation , going from the general to the more specific. Quantitative methods use numbers and statistics to show the results of the research exercise and mainly are concerned with mathematics and statistics. In quantitative research there are levels of measurement being firstly nominal which are names of things followed by ordinal sequence of things, interval where the sequence has equal distance between each item, and ratio where there is a true zero (Alston & Bowles, 2003, p. 7-9).
“Quantitative research is defined as research involving the use of structured questions in which the response options have been predetermined and a large number of respondents are involved.” (Burns & Bush, 2006). Quantitative research is associated with the more traditional industry research. The purpose of quantitative research is very clear and well defined. With this type of research, manager and researchers are on one accord and have agreed upon specific information that will be needed for the research that is numerical in nature. On the other hand, “qualitative research involves collecting, analyzing and interpreting data by observing what people do and say.” (Burns & Bush, 2006).
Qualitative and quantitative research starts with the researcher identifying a topic of interest. Identifying a topic, begins with a problem or question that someone wants to find the answer to. The topic can come from a personal experience driving the importance of the topic to be investigate but it should not limit the topic.
As Chiromo 2006: 17 correctly points out, there are two types of sampling techniques namely probability and non-probability sampling. Probability sampling is the type of sampling that affords each member or unit of the population an equal choice of being included in the sample, (Clark 2006: 18). On the other hand in non-probability sampling, the units of the sample have an unknown chance of being included in the sample. Quantitative research uses both random and non-random sampling although there is usually a mistaken belief the non-random sampling is for qualitative research alone.
Deductive approach will be used. Deductive as explained by Saunders and Lewis (2012, p. 108) it is an approach “which involves the testing of a theoretical proposition by using a research strategy designed to perform this test.” Moreover, we add that the research question should be defined while using general theory that exists already. (Saunders and Lewis 2012, p.108). Perhaps, deductive approach gives us the possibility to understand the theories that are currently established and raise questions or hypothesis to achieve any required further research. Saunders et al. (2012, p. 145) further explains that the hypotheses can be directly linked and formed from a theory or theories. Furthermore, deductive approach
Research is systematic way to find out facts and knowledge as Kothari (2006) has analyzed that research is the pursuit of truth with the help of study, observation, comparison and experiment; the search for knowledge through objective and systematic method of finding solutions to a problem. However there are two types of researches one is by Purpose and other is by method. The type by purpose falls into three categorize such as Basic, Applied and Action Research.
On the other hand, quantitative research allows you to test hypothesis derived from theories, associated with the issues being investigated. It is less flexible, as there are standardized procedures and techniques for collecting, organizing and analyzing the data (Kuada, 2012).
Research which is also known as the search for knowledge is an art of scientific search for specific information. According to Clifford Woody, the research includes defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis and suggested solutions, collecting, organising and evaluating data, making deductions and reaching conclusion and further testing whether the conclusion will fit into formulating hypothesis. Research Methodology is a scientific and systematic way of finding solution to a problem. In this research, researcher has studied various steps for research like problem along with the logic behind them. For this study, researcher must know various research techniques like mean, mode,