By Sri Yanti
The State Institute of Islamic Studies IAIN Syekh Nurjati Cirebon, West Java
1. Definitions of Quantitative
Ø Quantitative research approach its studies by stating a purpose, posing a problem or question. Defining a research population, collecting and analyzing data, and presenting results.1
Ø According to Sharmarke Abdullahi Ali (Gaagaab) Quantitative methods are research techniques that are used to gather quantitative data. Quantitative analysis can be measured as how many , how long and how much etc. For example, Height weight.2
Ø Adapted from the glossary How To Design and Evaluate Research in Education by Jack R. Fraenkel and Norman E. Wallen that Quantitative variable is a variable that is conceptualized and analyzed as distinct categories, with no continuum implied.3
Ø The term quantitative data is used to describe a type of information that can be counted or expressed numerically. This type of data is often collected in experiments, manipulated and statistically analyzed. Quantitative data can be represented visually in graphs, histograms, tables and charts.4
The purpose of Quantitative Inquiry :
- To generalize findings
- To predict behavior
- To provide causal explanations
The approach of Quantitative Inquiry :
- Begins with hypotheses (hypothesis testing)
- Uses theory to ground the study
- Uses manipulation and control of variables
- Deductive then Inductive
- Seeks to analyze discrete components
- Looks for the norm
- Reduces data to numbers
- Reports written in precise, abstract language
The assumptions of Quantitative Inquiry :
- There is an objective reality
- The world is stable
- Variables can be identified and measured
- Rooted in logical empiricism
- Research from the “etic” or outsider’s view
Role of Researcher of Quantity Inquiry :
- Detached and impartial
- Objective portrayal
- Inquiry should be as value free as possible
The methods of Quantitative Inquiry :
- Focused on quantity (how much, how many)
- Experimental, empirical, statistical focus
- Predetermined, structured methods, precise
- Random sampling is the ideal
- Uses inanimate instruments (scales, tests, questionnaires, observation checklists, etc...)
Quantitative Research - Advantages and Disadvantages
By Gigi DeVault, About.com Guide
Market researchers often employ quantitative approaches in our work. It is important to understand the strength and limitations of any research approach. This is particularly true with regard to quantitative research techniques for two reasons: (1) Scientific and lay cultures are quite enamored by quantitative research techniques and tend not to look deeply at the design and mechanics of such procedures, and (2) It is inordinately easy to design a quantitative research effort badly.5
2. The Characteristics of Quantitative Research6
1) CONTROL
This is the most important element because it enables the scientist to identify the causes of his or her observations. Experiments are conducted in an attempt to answer certain questions. They represent attempts to identify why something happens, what causes some event, or under what conditions an event does occur. Control is necessary in order to provide unambiguous answers to such questions. To answer questions in education and social science we have to eliminate the simultaneous influence of many variables to isolate the cause of an effect. Controlled inquiry is absolutely essential to this because without it the cause of an effect could not be isolated.
2) OPERATIONAL DEFINITION
This means that terms must be defined by the steps or operations used to measure them. Such a procedure is necessary to eliminate any confusion in meaning and communication. Consider the statement `Anxiety causes students to score poorly in tests'. One might ask, `What is meant by anxiety?' Stating that anxiety refers to being tense or some other such term only adds to the confusion. However, stating that anxiety refers to a score over a criterion level on an anxiety scale enables others to realise what you mean by anxiety. Stating an operational definition forces one to identify the empirical referents, or terms. In this manner, ambiguity is minimised. Again, introversion may be defined as a score on a particular personality scale, hunger as so many hours since last fed, and social class as defined by occupation.
3) REPLICATION
To be replicable, the data obtained in an experiment must be reliable; that is, the same result must be found if the study is repeated. If observations are not repeatable, our descriptions and explanations are thought to be unreliable.
4) HYPOTHESIS TESTING
The systematic creation of a hypothesis and subjecting it to an empirical test.
(Adapted from Burns, 2000: 6-7)
References :
1 Introduction to Research in Education seventh Edition by Donald Ary (Nothern Illinois University), Lucy Cheser Jacobs (Indiana University), Ashgar Razavieh (Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran), and Chris Sorensen (Northern Illinois University)
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