What is quantitative research?

What is quantitative research?

1. According to Aliaga and Gunderson (2002), Quantitative research is ‘Explaining phenomena by collecting numerical data that are analysed using mathematically based methods (in particular statistics).’

2. In quantitative research we collect numerical data, this is closely connected to the final part of the definition: analysis using mathematically based methods In order to use mathematical methods, our data has to be in numerical form.

3. Much data that does not occur naturally in quantitative form can be collected quantitatively. We do this by designing research instruments specifically intended to convert non-naturally occurring phenomena in quantitative form into quantitative data, which we can analyze statistically.

4. Foundations of Quantitative Research methods

   • Realism
   • Subjectivism
   • Paradigm wars

5. Labeling all quantitative researchers as positivists is equally inaccurate.

6. Quantitative researchers have accepted much criticism from positivists. points of view, and there are now a variety of epistemologies underlying the theory and practice in quantitative research.

7. Post-positivism, experiential realism and pragmatism

   • Postpositivists accept that we cannot observe the world of which we are a part as totally objective and disinterested outsiders, and accept that the natural sciences do not provide the model for all investigate.
   • Unlike positivists, postpositivists believe that research can never be sure. Instead of focusing on certainty and absolute truth.