A Description of Quantitative Research

Quantitative look into refers to the opinionated observational investigation of hearty phenomena via statistical, numeric or computational techniques. 1 The objective of decimal read/write head is to pullulate and employ numeral models, theories and/or hypotheses pertaining to phenomena. The process of measurement is primordial to denary enquiry because it provides the fundamental confederacy between empirical reflection and mathematical expression of quantitative relationships. Quantitative entropy is any entropy that is in mathematical form much(prenominal) as statistics, percentages, and so on 1 In laymans terms, this means that the quantitative investigator asks a particularized, narrow question and collects numerical info from participants to conclude the question. The look forer studys the info with the help of statistics. The enquiryer is hoping the figs allow yield an un preconceived opinioned result that chiffonier be generalized to whatever large commonwealth. soft query, on the new(prenominal) hand, asks wide-cut questions and collects word info from participants. The enquiryer looks for themes and calls the ped agogy in themes and patterns exclusive to that set of participants.Quantitative inquiry is widely employ in social sciences such as psychology, economics, sociology, and political science, and stochasticness technology, and less frequently in anthropology and biography. However, look for in mathematical sciences such as physics is in addition quantitative by definition, though this use of the term differs in background. In the social sciences, the term relates to empirical modes, originating in dickens philosophical positivism and the history of statistics, which contrast qualitative search orders.Quantitative search is generally do utilise scientific rules, which flock complicate The generation of models, theories and hypotheses The growth of instruments and methods for measuremen t Experimental control and manipulation of variables Collection of empirical nurture mannikin and depth psychology of selective information The Process The query process entails a arrive of stairs which complicate the explore question, literature re work out, look into project, info parade, info analysis, interpretation of results and tell the interrogation question. Hughes, 2006) From the high(prenominal) up diagram it is unmistakable that on that point ar misuses that should be followed when underpickings quantitative query, these steps be discussed below (Cres wellhead, 2003) 1) Selection of musical theme The prototypal step when trade union movement quantitative inquiry is the identification of the investigate yield, this fills projecting the inquiry question, the selection of the issuing ordain matter on a fall of movers and they allow topic selection cod to gratify of an idiosyncratic, significance of the social phenomena, question ba se on existing theories and the ability to investigate on the topic. Creswell, 2003) 2) Literature review The adjacent step is to under scud enquiry on previous theories that wipe out been conveyed ground on the selected query topic. This step forget to a fault overwhelm selection of the hypothetical approach that leave be used in the information. This step pass on similarly touch formulation of questions that go a expressive style be firmness of purposeed in the scan, at this point a literature review get outing be prepargond in order to cite previous studies and theories that support the look into questions and methods that go out used in the study. Creswell, 2003) 3) investigate excogitate search design is correctd by the investigate question, this involves come outing the most(prenominal) assume flair to structure the quantitative explore in order to answer the research question, the research question depart overly view the type of informatio n to be quiet and analyzed. 4) info appeal methods The research design will involve selection of the most steal info assemblage method.Data collection methods include Questionnaires, Structured Interview, and Observation and analyzing documents i) Questionnaires Questionnaires involve the formulation of questions that aid in the collection of data, questionnaires can be administered to answerings or mail-clad to the answerings, questionnaires argon prep bed and pre tested to determine whether questions are biased. Questions formulated will be based on the research question whereby they will aid in the collection of data that will help answer the research questions.Questions will either be unkindly or rude ended, open ended questions are those questions that will deal the answering to input his own answers to the questions whereas closed questions are those questions whereby the respondent will fill from a list of answers highlighted in the questionnaire. (Fowler, 2008 ) ii) Interviews An converse can be under set aboutn to collect data, in that location are ii types of interviews and they include locution to confront interview and telephone nterview, a pillowcase to face interview will involve collection of data whereby the respondent and research administrator sit together, a telephone interview on the other hand will involve duty the respondent and answers obtained over the phone, a face to face interview is considered more high-priced presumptuousness that the research administrator whitethorn be compulsory to travel and besides this process whitethorn be eon consuming. Fowler, 2008) Interview are further subdivided into coordinate and unstructured interview, structured interview involves mount up a set of questions that will be administered while unstructured involve asking the respondent to elaborate on original conduce downs. (Fowler, 2008) iii) Observation Observation is some other method of aggregation data, this metho d involves law-abiding participants and put down data, for poser collecting data on the estimate of vehicles that use a au thereforetic highway will involve the observation method of collecting data. Fowler, 2008) iv) Analyzing documents This is inessential data collection method that involves collecting data from published documents example journals and a book, other sources include online databases which are comparatively cheap methods of obtaining data, this method is preferred accustomed that it is less cadence consuming and besides less lively.This method however project a disadvantage given that it whitethorn given rise to accuracy problems, data accuracy will depend on the tendency of the data serene and that on that point may rise problem when data may unavailable and therefore a tec will be required to use primary sources of data which include interview and questionnaires. Fowler, 2008) When designing the research data collection methods it is authorised t hat the research worker takes into condition the respondent attitude, data collection methods such as questionnaires should be designed taking into retainer the reaction of the respondents when a certain question is take aimed to them, a desire the research questions should be clear and simple and should non be leading questions.The other factor that should be taken into consideration is the cost, when selecting the data collection method one should take into consideration the cost associated with that method and whether there exist ship canal to reduce such costs, face to face interview some eons may be costly and clipping consuming and therefore questionnaires that are comparatively cheap may be preferred, too the questionnaires may be more appropriate given that they are less fourth dimension consuming given that a split up of data can be collected at once, for example a tudy that involves participants from variant regions and the respondent sends the questionnaires to the respondents. (Fowler, 2008) 5) Sampling Sampling in social research refers to the selection of a few respondents from a population, in some studies it is impossible to collect data from the built-in population and therefore a prove is selected, when an appropriate type is selected it results will illustrate the wide population, a experiment reduces the cost associated with data collection and also reduces time consumed while collecting data.thither are deuce types of take and they include probability taste methods and non probability ingest methods. In probability try the sampling error can be estimated and a confidence breakup established for the entire population, probability sampling methods include stochastic sampling, doctrinal sampling, differentiate sampling and clustered sampling. Stuart, 1994) i) Simple random sampling In simple random sampling the population respondents or units are identified and a random number generator is used, each unit in the popu lation is assigned a number and the unit corresponding with the random number generator is included in the sample. The appropriate sample size is calculated exploitation the expected error and therefore the number of total units selected corresponds to the calculated sample size. Stuart, 1994) ii) magisterial sampling This is a probability sampling method that involves the selection of the sample victimization intervals, the frontly step in undertaking a dodgingatic sample is appointment each unit a number, the detective then decides on the appropriate sample size and then the sample is selected victimization intervals, example a study may use systematic sample with a ten unit interval, this means that the first number to be selected will be 1, the following(a) 11, the bordering 21, if the interval is 5 then the first number will be 1 then 6 then 11 etc. Stuart, 1994) iii) bedded sampling Stratified sampling is also an acceptable probability sampling method, this method inv olves subdividing the entire population using certain characteristics example stratifying data into regions or gender, the conterminous step involves undertaking simple random sampling on the categories and selecting the appropriate sample size. (Maxwell, 2005) iv) Snowball sampling Snowball sampling is a nonher sampling method which is a non probability sampling method, this method involves selecting the first respondent and then asking the respondent to refer you to a nonher respondent, a advantageously example whereSnowball sampling is used where we fool certain units with unique characteristics, example a research study on jolly marriages will use these sampling method, or a study on har dispersery will involve this sampling method given that the respondents will refer you to mickle they know who have the same characteristics. (Stuart, 1994) 6) honest cases In research there are some keen issues that direct to be taken into consideration, this includes confidentiality , cause no malign to respondents, anonymity and have.A researcher should treat information collected with confidentiality, this means that the researcher should not state that a situation respondents made a certain statement. The other ethical issue to observe is anonymity whereby the respondent should not given out their name calling or reference numbers that may identify them as the particular individual that gave certain statements. (Punch, 2005) The other ethical issue is consent. take officipants should be briefed on the purpose of the study and also be informed on any recording that may take indicate, this way the researcher should gain the consent of the participants by briefing them on the purpose of the study and also how the information will be recorded. Finally the research should not cause harm to the individuals, this takes place whereby the researcher should not ask questions that offend the participants. Fowler, 2008) 7) Data analysis When data has been collected the abutting step is to analyze data using statistical techniques such as collusive the mean, variance, correlation and regression analysis, all the data collected should be analyzed that some exceptions are made for example cases where we have incomplete questionnaires are rejected and not included in the analysis. In this stage the researcher should report accurately the results obtained and should not in any way alter variables collected in achieving craved results.Data should be presented as they are and a report written to show how the data respond to the research question or topic. (Bamberger, 2000) 8) Other factors to consider A good research study will be free from bias, this means that the information and data collected from the study should not deepen in any systematic way, and bias in a study may be eliminated finished the use of random sampling and also eliminating biased intercession of participants that may affect their responses. (Flick, 2006) Conclusion From th e above discussion it is explicit that when undertaking quantitative research one has to take into consideration a number of actors, the first step is to formulate a research question, the next step involves literature review where a researcher should search for information on previous studies undertaken on the chosen research question. The next step involves research design where the data collection method and the sampling method is chosen, a researcher may chose to use questionnaires, interview or observation to collect data. query design also involves choosing an appropriate sampling method when the population is large, sampling methods include random sampling, quota sampling, systematic sampling and stratified sampling.Sampling helps in reduce costs associated with collecting data from the entire population and also is less time consuming whereby the study is undertaken only a few participants. After sampling and eagerness of the data collection method the next step is data analysis and interpretation, this involves recording all the data collected and analyzing data to make statistical inferences and descriptive statistics, results should also report on how the data has helped answer the research question.qualitative research is a method of inquiry employed in galore(postnominal) different academic disciplines, traditionally in the social sciences, but also in market research and further contexts. 1 Qualitative researchers aim to gather an in-depth understanding of kind-hearted behavior and the reasons that govern such behavior. The qualitative method investigates the why and how of decision making, not just what, where, when. Hence, smaller but cerebrate samples are more often necessitate than large samples.In the conventional view, qualitative methods take a leak information only on the particular cases studied, and any more general conclusions are only propositions (informed assertions). Quantitative methods can then be used to seek empirical support for such research hypotheses. This view has been disputed by Oxford University professor set Flyvbjerg, who argues that qualitative methods and case study research may be used both for hypotheses-testing and for generalizing beyond the particular cases studied Research readying in the Filipinos exploring the issues for a demesne striving to conjure up research persona Angelito CalmaCentre for the Study of Higher grooming The University of Melbourne rescind Internationally, research cultivation is changing face due to global changes affecting high command. Higher gentility in the Philippines is also affected by these changes. Currently, the Philippines, through the explosive charge on Higher Education and high development institutions, is embarking on new ways to enhance research and research homework. To give way this objective, however, some areas of research and research rearing require prudence.Thus, the purpose of this newsprint is two-fold (1) to id entify areas for scrutiny and (2) to put up possible strategies to enhance research reproduction in the Philippines. first appearance It was more than a decade ago that the OECD (1995) highlighted the changing face of research training internationally. Today, research and research training inhabit under pressure to address a broad array of societal demands. This is due to changes globally and to how nations and universities position themselves as shareholders in a complex knowledge society.If relevancy and viability were the language of the past, now and into the upcoming issues of quality, accountability, and internationalisation of research will come to the fore. In the Philippines, higher education pushes for ways to promote research to push forward the frontiers of knowledge and to develop a culture of research among higher education institutions (Commission on Higher Education CHED, 2007a, para. 2). To reach this objective, however, some areas of research and research tr aining require inquiry and evaluation.Thus, the precept for this paper is two-fold (1) to identify areas for scrutiny and (2) to propose possible strategies to enhance research training in the Philippines. The effects of globalisation place necessary demands upon higher education generally. In particular, the effects are felt in the areas of teaching, research, and postgraduate research training. Marginson (2007) maintains that higher education supports multiple associateions across the range of teaching, research, doctoral training, and business activities (p. ) and universities will continually repugn to occupy global spaces to position themselves strategically. Part of this global positioning strategy is progress research. One way of doing this is by act developments in postgraduate research training. Thus, research training in the future will progressively play an important role. In recent divisions, there has been a growth interest in the domain of research training. T he range of research objectives is quite diverse.However, it is observe that research into research training generally involves the development and evaluation of practices across specific disciplines and institutions. In the Philippines, however, little has been done in this area, much less on the analysis and appraisal of national and institutional research training policies. Research training in the Philippines 2 This is why research training in the Philippines needs examination and, I will argue, development.For a dry land where research is at the periphery of higher education curricula and where universities are mostly teaching universities as opposed to research universities (Bernardo, 2007), the Philippines faces one of the great challenges in restructuring its higher education to vie globally, or even with its closest inhabit countries, in areas of research. In the past years, the countrys competitive advantage has generally been its human capital due to the pregnant economic gains that dollar remittances from overseas workers bring in.The emphasis in higher education has been on the education and training of nurses, teachers, engineers, and work out specialists and this could well be explained by employ opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region and across the globe. This is evident in the statistical reports published by the CHED (2007b) which reflect (1) Business &038 Administration, (2) Medical, (3) Education &038 instructor Training, and (4) Engineering &038 Technology courses remain as top disciplines of excerption for most students in recent years.However, there has been less attention placed into the education and training of undergrad and postgraduate students in the area of research. Research remains a peripheral persona of undergraduate and postgraduate curricula whilst research training continues to be an under-developed activity. The influx of students from other countries also influences higher education in the Philippines. This is in particular so now that neighbour countries like South Korea increasingly view Philippine higher education institutions (HEIs) as hubs for undergraduate education.One reason for this is because English is one of the two official languages of the Philippines. However, the Philippines has thus far not positioned itself as a preferred choice for postgraduate education despite English language advantage. Perhaps some areas that need development are the HEIs readiness for research, their research capabilities, and the strength of their academic staff in research and research training. The Philippines remains comparatively unsuccessful in pull outing postgraduate students from Asia-Pacific compared to countries from non-English harangue backgrounds such as Singapore or Malaysia.It has been the national policy of the CHED to enhance research in the Philippines. To do this, examining and developing research training is critical. Research training is at the core of enhancing and pr omoting research within HEIs. There are even more reasons to develop research training in the Philippines given the strategic directions that HEIs currently take. First, amongst HEIs, one of their aims has been to attract international students due to insufficient accompaniment on public universities as well as to move away from over-dependence on tuition fees from local students for private universities.Second, universities increasingly find it important to integrate research into their postgraduate education curricula and moving towards enough research universities. Finally, HEIs push for local accreditation and international quality standards benchmarking to mark their place in Asia-Pacific. Thus, it is a critical part of this transmutation and positioning to examine research training structures, policies, and practices. This paper focuses on presenting briefly the higher education system in the Philippines and the context of postgraduate education and research training within HEIs.It concludes with an exploration of some important areas for scrutiny and possible strategies to develop research training in the country. Instructions 1. organiseing Research o1 Formulate a research question. Qualitative studies aim to explore and/or describe, not explain phenomena. The question should reflect scarcely what you aim to explore or describe in your study. The question should also connect to or be relevant to the field that you are studying.For example, if you are interested in exploring how the parents of young children understand their childrens learning in an arts environment your question could be, What are the parental perceptions of learning for their preschoolers ages 3 through 5 in an early childhood museum-based visual arts program? o2 Conduct a literature review. Look for well academic literature from peer-reviewed journals on your chosen root word. o3 tell apart a qualitative approach. This should advert or be connected to the subject of your s tudy.Examples of qualitative approaches include ethnography (immersing yourself in one specific culture or group of people to conduct in-depth interviews and observation), phenomenology (exploring the participants inherent interpretations), grounded theory (creating new theory that is grounded in the data) or action research (the researcher is part of what is being studied, such as a teacher researching her own classroom). o4 break up on the methods that you will be using. uncouth qualitative methods include participant observation, direct observation, interviewing and document reviews.Some methods may work let on with some approaches. For example, if you are conducting an ethnographic study you would want to rely more heavily on observation techniques. o5 Collect your data via the chosen method. o6 Analyze your data. This may include a method such as constant comparison (comparing different pieces of data against each other). Typically, qualitative researchers will analyze the ir data using a system of alphabetic codes that express different themes or concepts that emerge from the information.Considerations for Choosing a Topic Choose a topic that you find interesting. oYou will be spending a lot of time researching and writing it, and a topic that interests you will make the process more enjoyable. Pick a controversial issue that you are passionate about. oA hot topic for a speech or weighty paper that interests you will make the research appealing. Select a topic with multi-purpose research potential oIs it possible to research two different aspects of the same subject for two classes? If so, you will be multi-tasking and saving time.Note this is not turning in the same paper for two different classes this is using your research time wisely Choose a topic that relates to your personal interests or future profession. oIf you are writing a glib paper on a topic of your choice can you tie it into your major so that the research will have a future benefi t to you? This will add value to the research process. finalise on a unique or original topic. Put your own gyrate on it oImagine your professor reading 25 papers on the same topics year after year. An original topic or perspective will be welcomed favorably