Descriptive research (Quantitative research):
Introduction:
There were many types of research studies as been mentioned in blogger Statistical analysis in research studies
which there many types of research studies descriptive research (Quantitative research) and analytical
research (Qualitative research) or mixed method research studies which
consisted both quantitative method and qualitative method.
This blogger mainly concentrated on descriptive research method or
quantitative method.
Descriptive research method (Quantitative research)
Quantitative research, or descriptive statistics, is defined as a
type of research used to describe populations, situations, and phenomena. It
aims to address research questions such as how, what, when, where, and why,
with the goal of understanding and resolving research problems before
conducting investigations (Johnson & Onwuegbuzie, 2004).
Quantitative research is systematic
investigation with statistically collection of information by using sampling
methods, sending surveys, and questionnaires and the result can be detected in
numerical format. After collecting data and analysing it, the future causal
relationship or causal research can be predicted, and changes can made
accordingly.
Characteristics of Quantitative Research:
The characteristic of quantitative research was as follows:
- Structured tool of the research
- Research sample size
- Close ended questions
- Prior studies
- Quantitative data
- Generalization of research results
Structured tool of the research:
In quantitative research study
structured tool required for data analysis and understanding the research
questions and problem statements which surveys, questionnaires, and polls can
be used to collect data. Structured method help by in-depth and actionable data
to be collected which make data analysis to easier and logical for
understanding. (Fleetwood, 2023).
Research sample size:
Sample size is very important to
determine the research board views and focus involve carful balancing with
clear understanding of the methods and ensure reliability and validity of the
research project. (Fleetwood,
2023; Carpenter, 2018)
Close ended questions:
Close-ended questions means to ask the respondents to choose
between yes or no, true or false, or multiple-choice questions by specific
design which quarreller with research objectives be and facilitate data
collection process (Qualtrics,
2024; Fleetwood, 2023)
Prior studies:
Prior studies in quantitative
research mean the previous studies which tackles the same research that the
researcher want to explore which help and give the researcher clear
understanding about the research topic in many dimensions and ensure the data
collection to be valid and reliable and solve the research problem with
answering research questions. (Fleetwood, 2023)
Quantitative data:
After analysing the data, the
quantitative data represented in the research study by tables, graphs, plots,
and charts which help in understanding the quantitative research and being part
of quantitative methods that can the reader understand the research study and
give them ideas about the need of future study. (Fleetwood, 2023)
Generalization of research results:
The strength point of the
quantitative research is generalization of the research study which mean the
research study can be generalized to the entire population which in the
research only using samples that the results extracted from it. This can give
good idea about the whole population and take decision with action for
improvement or solve the research problem. (Fleetwood, 2023)
Conclusion:
These were the characteristics of
quantitative research which can help in understanding the important of the
research study, these characteristics must be included in quantitative research
and missing of any part can affect on the validity, reliability, and strength
of the quantitative research study. And with all characteristics the reader
develop idea about the research and the future study to be done.