quantitative research
Numbers-based study method
Quantitative research is investigation that collects and analyzes numerical data, using statistics to identify patterns, test hypotheses, or measure relationships between variables.
It contrasts with qualitative research, which explores meanings through interviews, observations, or text.
Surveys with large sample sizes and controlled experiments are typical quantitative methods: The quantitative research showed a strong correlation between income and educational attainment.
Systematic data collection
- experimentSystematic investigation procedure
- samplingExtracting subset for study
- randomizedArranged by chance
- control groupUntreated subjects for comparison
longitudinal · cross-sectional · clinical trial · replication · fieldwork · operationalization · instrumentation · methodology
Return to former state
- correlationStatistical relationship measure
- ANOVACompares means among groups
- t-testHypothesis check for averages
- chi-squareStatistic for categorical data
p-value · significance · confidence interval · variance · standard deviation · normal distribution · mean · median
Testable proposed explanation
- causationProduction of effects
- correlationStatistical relationship measure
- trendDirection of change
- patternRecurring arrangement or template
deductive · inferential · normalization · modeling · prediction · generalization · interpretation · findings
Changeable elements in equations
- datasetOrganized collection of information
- sample sizeQuantity of observations taken
- raw dataUnanalyzed collected information
- codingWriting software instructions
cleaning · missing data · outliers · reliability · validity · generalizability · replicability · objectivity
Measure of relative size
- metricStandard of measurement
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- accuracyDegree of correctness
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
units · operationalization · index · ratio · interval · ordinal · nominal · standardization
survey
Systematic data collection
- experimentSystematic investigation procedure
- samplingExtracting subset for study
- randomizedArranged by chance
control group · longitudinal · cross-sectional · clinical trial · replication · fieldwork · operationalization · instrumentation · methodology · empirical
regression
Return to former state
- correlationStatistical relationship measure
- ANOVACompares means among groups
- t-testHypothesis check for averages
chi-square · p-value · significance · confidence interval · variance · standard deviation · normal distribution · mean · median · mode
hypothesis
Testable proposed explanation
- causationProduction of effects
- correlationStatistical relationship measure
- trendDirection of change
pattern · deductive · inferential · normalization · modeling · prediction · generalization · interpretation · findings · results
variables
Changeable elements in equations
- datasetOrganized collection of information
- sample sizeQuantity of observations taken
- raw dataUnanalyzed collected information
coding · cleaning · missing data · outliers · reliability · validity · generalizability · replicability · objectivity · scalability
scale
Measure of relative size
calibration · units · operationalization · index · ratio · interval · ordinal · nominal · standardization
quantitative researchanecdotal evidence
Support from individual accounts
thick description · intuition · speculation · personal testimony · oral history
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