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What research design is used in quantitative research?

The study designs in quantitative research are different from the study designs in qualitative research. The following reasons can best describe the difference between quantitative research and qualitative research. Quantitative research involves collection of numerical data, it deduces a relationship between theory and research. Quantitative research uses scientific/empirical approach to solve the problems. To solve the problem under study the researcher formulates a hypothesis. The researcher then decides about the study design to accomplish his research. The study design should outline the sample selection, data collection, data analysis, and data interpretation. On the other hand, qualitative research basically have simple study designs and there is little or no difference between the study design and the instrument of data collection.

There are many study designs in quantitative research most of them have been tested for their reliability and validity. They are well recognized, structured and well-defined. Quantitative research designs are structured and sequential. Quantitative study designs can be easily differentiated from their method or instrument of data collection. On the other hand, qualitative research designs do not have vivid classification between the two. Many of the qualitative study designs are mere data collection methods. Quantitative study designs are very specific in nature. One of the aim of quantitative research is to provide enough details so the same study can be replicated for the verification purpose.

The study designs in quantitative research can be categorized on the basis of 1) reference period, 2) number of contacts, or 3) nature of investigations. In quantitative studies there are many study designs some of them are as follows:

On the basis of reference period, there can be following quantitative study designs:

Retrospective studies study an event, situation, or a phenomenon as it happened in the past. Retrospective study designs are often criticized for possible risk of biases to avoid this the researchers take sufficient sample size. They also make sure that they avoid all the chances of bias in their study. The researchers look for the data either in the form of print or other medium that is already present or they ask respondents who can recall the situation.

Prospective

Prospective studies study the prevalence and outcome of a situation, event, or phenomenon in future. Researchers in the field of medical science study the prospects of a disease taking a specific sample. During the study period they study the possible risk and protection factors to understand the disease. In prospected study designs the researcher has to be very cautious the sample size should not diminish during the study otherwise their study will become biased will be less accurate.

Retrospective-prospective

Retrospective-prospective studies are long duration studies that study a phenomenon, situation, or event in the past and then apply this information to study its future. These studies study a phenomenon that is already happened in the past and then introduce the intervention to the respondents and study future outcomes. Some types of retrospective-prospective studies are trend studies and before-and-after studies.

Nature or type of investigation

To decide whether to use experimental or non-experimental study design depends on the type of research question. Both experimental and non-experimental study designs have their benefits and drawbacks.

Experimental study designs are based on testing a hypothesis. These designs have an independent variable, a dependent variable, and a control group. The researcher controls every external factor that can impact the dependent variable and can introduce bias in the experiment. Such experiments are conducted in a controlled laboratory environment. Such studies are very scientific/empirical and aim at high reliability, accuracy, and validity of the results.

Non -experimental

Non-experimental studies are retrospectively conducted the researcher explores the situation that has already happened in the past. The aim of such studies is to know reason for a cause that is already been there. They are the opposite of the experimental studies in which first the intervention is introduced and then the cause is observed as it takes place.

Quasi-experimental

Quasi-experimental studies are semi-experimental studies and they have both the properties of experimental and non-experimental studies. Part of the study is performed under controlled experimentation situation and part of the study is conducted in a non-experimental situation.

Number of contacts

Number of contacts means that how many times the audience is approached to study the impact of an intervention or to study a phenomenon or a situation.

Cross sectional studies

Cross sectional studies take a cross section of the population and study a phenomenon, situation, or event under consideration. The aim of these studies is to study the situation in the present, these studies do not aim at studying the change and the factors causing change. Cross sectional studies are simple in design the researcher takes a cross section of the population (or a sample) studies it at one time and find the prevalence of a situation.

Before-and-after studies

Before-and-after studies study the target population before the intervention is introduced to them and once again they study them when the intervention has worked. The aim of these studies is to know what effects a cause. Experimental studies are before-and-after studies as in experimental studies you introduce the intervention, let the intervention work and then study the outcomes. In before-and-after studies the researcher has two contacts with the population and studies the extent of change in the situation.

Longitudinal studies

Longitudinal studies study the pattern of change in a situation, phenomenon, or event. They are conducted over a period of time during this time the researcher contacts the population or the sample at a particular intervals. These intervals may or may not be same but the purpose is to know the pattern of change. Longitudinal studies are very useful in understanding how a change took place.

References

“Retrospective VS. Prospective Studies.” Statistical Help. <//www.statsdirect.com/help/basics/prospective.htm>. Retrieved on 2019/02/04.
Kumar, R., (2011) Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners, Sage Publications: 3rd Ed., New Delhi. Pp- 105-118.

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Introduction to Quantitative Research

Quantitative research is outlined as a scientific investigation of phenomena by gathering quantitative information and activity applied mathematics, or procedure techniques. The gathering of data in quantitative analysis is what makes it aside from other different types. Quantitative analysis is targeted specifically on numerical data and it conjointly uses mathematical analysis to research what is being determined, the information collected should be in numbers. The general structure for quantitative research is predicted on the scientific approach. It uses the tactic and method of aggregation and using that information at intervals within the victimization of the matter for sharing the analysis and conclusions.

Different Types of Quantitative Research

The basic procedure of a quantitative style are:

Build your own observations regarding one thing that is unknown, unexplained, or totally new. Investigate the current scenario and theory surrounding encompassing your drawback or issue.
Hypothesize a proof and an explanation for the observations you had made in step one.
Build a prediction of outcomes supporting your hypotheses. Formulate a detailed step and plan to test your prediction from step two.
Collect and process your information. If your prediction was correct, visit again to step 5. If not, the hypothesis has been verified false. Return to step 2 to pair a brand new hypothesis supporting your new data and knowledge collected.
Verify your new findings, and also make your conclusions from the same. Describe your findings in an appropriate and acceptable form for your audience.

The following precedes the different types of Quantitative research types with the description of each.

1. Survey Research

Survey Research is the most elementary tool for all sorts of quantitative research techniques. The very most important purpose of the research is to widely explain the characteristics of a particular group or a bunch of population. This analysis is most typically employed by both small and large organizations for a proper understanding of their customers and to understand the merchandise and product views.

Multiple queries can be raised by the customers and the analysis can be done for the same.
Cross-sectional and longitudinal are two main kinds of surveys that can be used to conduct the survey quantitative research analysis.
The cross-sectional survey is conducted specifically on a target population at a given purpose of time. These type of surveys are used to conduct research mostly in retail stores, health care trade, etc.
In a longitudinal survey, research is conducted at various time durations. These are utilized in medicine and applied sciences.

2. Descriptive Research

Descriptive research seeks to explain the current status of an identified variable. The aim of descriptive research is to explain and interpret, the current status of people, settings, conditions, or events.

In descriptive research, the researcher does not usually begin with the hypothesis, however, it is probably going to develop one after collecting the information.
A systematic assortment of data needs careful selection of the units and measurement of every variable.
Description of the extent to which elementary teachers use math manipulatives, description of global warming with respect to Scientists, description of different kinds of physical activities that occur in schools, etc. are all examples of descriptive research.

3. Experimental Research

Experimental research, as the name suggests, is usually based on one or more theories. It is based on one or more than one theory. It is called true experimentation, uses the scientific method to establish the cause-effect relationship among a group of variables that make up a study. Multiple theories can be used to conduct this research. The components of the experimental research design are prescribed below.

A comparison group of participants who are randomly selected and assigned to experimental and control groups.
An independent variable, which can be referred to as the experimental variable that can be applied to the experimental group.
A dependent variable, which can be referred to as the effect or posttest variable that can be measured in an identical manner for all groups.

4. Correlational Research

Correlational research is used to establish a relationship between two close entities and to determine how one impacts the other. For this, a researcher needs at least two separate groups. This type of research will recognize trends and patterns in data, but it does not go so far in its analysis to observe the different patterns.

Correlational research sometimes considered a type of descriptive research as no variables are manipulated in the study.
Cause and effect are not the basis of this type of observational research.
Examples of Correlational research include the relationships between the types of activities of mathematics classrooms and the achievement of students, the relationship between diet and anxiety.

5. Casual-Comparative Research

Casual-Comparative research is employed to conclude the cause-effect equation between two or more variables, where one variable depends on the opposite experimental variable. An independent variable is not manipulated by the experimenter, and the effects of the independent variable is on the dependent variable are measured.

This sort of analysis is not restricted to the applied mathematics of two variables but extends to analyzing different variables and groups.
Casual-Comparative research is a method that works on the process of comparison.
Once analysis and conclusions are made, deciding about the causes should be done fastidiously, as other different variables, each far-famed and unknown, might still have an effect on the result.
Examples of this type of research include the effect of preschool attendance on social maturity at the end of the first grade, the impact of drugs on a teenager.

Quantitative research analysis templates are objective, elaborate, and conjointly investigational. It is easier to know the various types of quantitative research designs if you consider how the researcher designs and styles for the management of the variables within the investigation process. The fundamental procedure of a quantitative design is to hypothesize a proof for those observations.