Quantitative Research, Steps for

Theory and Hypothesis

First, research in the quantitative paradigm begins with the identification of the theoretical framework. Scientific theories are testable and falsifiable and serve to help the researcher explain and predict various aspects of the natural world. Theories are repeatedly tested over time through observation and experimentation. As evidence is gathered, theories are modified or rejected entirely. Building on the theoretical foundation, researchers then put forward a hypothesis that enables them to predict a particular outcome. These predictions or hypotheses may take the form of a particular experimental outcome in a lab or observation of a phenomenon in the natural world. The most rigorous hypotheses fit several criteria including testability, parsimony, proper scope, fruitfulness, and degree of fit.

Research Design

Next, the researcher must design the study in such a manner so as to test the hypotheses. The design of quantitative studies is impacted by the degree of control the researcher has over the variables of interest. Studies range from very little control of variables in descriptive and correlational research designs, to more control of variables in quasi-experimental designs, to very high control of variables in true experimental research. Descriptive studies provide an overview about the state of a phenomenon and often take the shape of in-depth case studies or naturalistic observation. Correlational studies use statistical analyses to examine the relation between two or more variables. In this case, data are merely measured, not manipulated, and are often collected through the use of a questionnaire. Quasi-experimental designs attempt to establish a cause-effect relationship among variables; however, the independent variables are not manipulated and the research does not randomly assign participants into control and experimental conditions. Instead, researchers identify pre-existing groups that may be exposed to a particular treatment and can be compared to another group that is not. For example, one may examine the effect of student employment on grade point average (GPA). Researchers could examine differences in GPA using pre-existing groups of students who are and are not employed. Finally, true experimentation is used to assess causal relationships between variables. In experimental research, all variables other than the independent variable are controlled in order to measure the independent variable’s impact on the dependent variable and subjects are randomly assigned to experimental conditions.

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