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Quantitative Research Methods

Quantitative research methods primarily rely on the collection and analyses of numerical data in the study of social phenomena. This methodological approach has been extensively applied in educational research. Embedded in the paradigm of positivism, quantitative research methods emphasize empirical inquiry to understand social phenomena. Educational research employing these research methods is expected to demonstrate internal validity (i.e., accurate interpretability of research results), external validity (i.e., generalizability of research results), and reliability (i.e., consistency and replicability of the methods and results) of the findings.

The Positivist and Postpositivist Paradigms

Quantitative approach as a research method has its roots in positivism. According to Sotirios Sarantakos, positivism views “reality” as objective, fixed, and independent of human consciousness. It is governed by natural laws that are strict and unchangeable. The world is regarded as deterministic, with causes producing effects under predictable conditions. Human actions are guided by fixed patterns that are empirically observable. As a tool of knowledge acquisition, science is based on strict rules and procedures that are deductive and nomothetic in nature. Hence, social research is a tool to examine social phenomena by revealing general causal laws and making predictions of outcomes. In the positivist view, science is empirical rather than metaphysical. Any propositions that cannot be tested and verified are meaningless.

Originating from the paradigm of positivism, postpositivism shares some fundamental principles with positivism. Postpositivism also believes in objective reality (i.e., reality as an objective entity governed by fixed natural laws). However, postpositivism shows some deviation from positivism in the ontological, epistemological, and methodological dimensions. According to the ideas of Yvonna Lincoln and Egon Guba, postpositivism shares the ontology of critical realism, which regards the objective world as imperfectly known and measurable. Hence, claims about reality are subject to critical examination on estimation as closely as possible. Epistemologically, postpositivism shares the view of modified dualist/objectivist (i.e., it is impossible to remove entirely the influence of the subject from the object of analysis), and objectivity is regarded as regulatory ideal. Methodologically, postpositivism employs critical multiplism (i.e., multiple methods of inquiry that are employed in revealing reality). Postpositivism permits a researcher to use quantitative methods in combination with qualitative methods in examining social phenomena.

Features of Quantitative Research Methods

Sharing the characteristics of positivism, quantitative research design has several unique features. First, the objectivity of the research is emphasized. Objectivity refers to the quality assurance that bias and subjectivity are minimized in data collection and analyses. Value neutrality is also expected in the research. The researcher is a neutral, objective scientist. Second, empiricism is stressed in quantitative research design. Empiricism means that the research is guided by evidence obtained from systematic research rather than by authorities. Third, accuracy and precision of measurements are determined by ensuring the reliability and validity of research. Fourth, logical reasoning is fundamental in quantitative research design. It relies on empirical methods having strict rules and clear procedures. Deductive methods such as hypothesis testing are employed. Fifth, parsimonious explanation is emphasized. The purposes of research are to explain the relationships among studied variables and reduce the explanations to simple general rules. Quantification of the results is emphasized with the use of mathematical models and statistical procedures and presentations. Last but not the least, replication of research is stressed (i.e., the results should be confirmed in subsequent research). Representativeness and generalization of the findings in explaining social phenomena and predicting outcomes are essential. As the aim of the research is to test a theory, further testing of the theory with different groups and under different contexts would help to confirm the theory or revise it.

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