Quantitative Research: Difference between revisions
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== Quantitative Research Methodology == | == Quantitative Research Methodology == | ||
Methodology refers to the overall approach taken in a piece of research | Methodology refers to the overall approach taken in a piece of research. <ref name=":2">Sim J., Wright C. Research in Health Care: concepts, designs and methods. Nelson Thornes: Cheltenham, UK. 2002</ref> In quantitative research, it encompasses the general principles of investigation that guide how such a study is designed and conducted in order to answer a quantitative research question. | ||
The methodological steps for quantitative investigations are found below. | |||
=== The Research Question === | === The Research Question === | ||
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In quantitative research, the nature of the research question may be descriptive / normative or explanatory. | In quantitative research, the nature of the research question may be descriptive / normative or explanatory. | ||
==== Descriptive / normative research questions ==== | |||
Descriptive research questions provide a descriptive account of a phenomenon within an established framework of knowledge; this approach is often used when aiming to develop a fuller account of an observation and is sometimes combined with identifying some relationships of potential interest. <ref name=":2" /> For example, a researcher may choose to utilise survey methods to investigate the characteristics, perceptions and behavious about a particular condition in a specific population. <ref>Mouchtouri V., Agathagelidou E., Kofonikolas K., Rousou X., Dadouli K., Pinaka O., et al. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33260789/ Nationwide Survey in Greece about Knowledge, Risk Perceptions, and Preventive Behaviors for COVID-19 during the General Lockdown in April 2020.] Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Nov 28;17(23):8854. </ref> | |||
Normative research questions are similar in their purpose to descriptive research questions, but also include an additional objective of comparing data gathered with a criterion or standard. <ref>Hedrick T., Bickman L., Rog D. Applied Research Design: A Practical Guide. Sage Publications, Newbury Park. 1993</ref> | |||
==== Explanatory research questions ==== | |||
Explanatory research questions usually test a hypothesis i.e. a prediction that the study sets out to either retain or reject, by means of statistical inference testing. <ref>Hazra A., Gogtay N. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27057011/ Biostatistics Series Module 2: Overview of Hypothesis Testing]. Indian J Dermatol. 2016 Mar-Apr;61(2):137-45. </ref> | |||
=== Designs === | === Designs === | ||
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===== Randomised controlled trials ===== | ===== Randomised controlled trials ===== | ||
Randomised controlled trials are considered top methods in the [https://www.physio-pedia.com/Hierarchy_of_evidence hierarchy of evidence] when testing the link between '''cause and effect''' in clinical interventions. <ref>Evans D. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12519253/ Hierarchy of evidence: a framework for ranking evidence evaluating healthcare interventions.] J Clin Nurs. 2003 Jan;12(1):77-84.</ref><ref>Wallace S., Barak G., Truong G., Parker M. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35909178/ Hierarchy of Evidence Within the Medical Literature.] Hosp Pediatr. 2022 Aug 1;12(8):745-750.</ref> | Randomised controlled trials are considered top methods in the [https://www.physio-pedia.com/Hierarchy_of_evidence hierarchy of evidence] when testing the link between '''cause and effect''' in clinical interventions. <ref>Evans D. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12519253/ Hierarchy of evidence: a framework for ranking evidence evaluating healthcare interventions.] J Clin Nurs. 2003 Jan;12(1):77-84.</ref><ref>Wallace S., Barak G., Truong G., Parker M. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35909178/ Hierarchy of Evidence Within the Medical Literature.] Hosp Pediatr. 2022 Aug 1;12(8):745-750.</ref> | ||
== Summary of key differences between different forms of quantitative research == | |||
Key differences between different forms of quantitative research is found below. Distinctions have been simplified for clarity and some overlap may exist between characteristics. <ref name=":2" /> | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
|+ | |||
! | |||
!'''Descriptive / Normative''' | |||
!'''Explanatory''' | |||
|- | |||
|Type of research | |||
|Primary | |||
|Primary | |||
|- | |||
|Nature of research question | |||
|Fairly specific and largely definite | |||
|Highly specific and definite; Declarative | |||
|- | |||
|Research design | |||
|Structured, sequential and largely predetermined | |||
|Highly structured, sequential and predetermined | |||
|- | |||
|Data collected | |||
|Quantitative | |||
|Quantitative | |||
|- | |||
|Relationship to theory | |||
|Aims to develop or elaborate theory | |||
|Hypothesis testing | |||
|} | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
[[Category:Research]] | [[Category:Research]] | ||
[[Category:EBP]] | [[Category:EBP]] | ||
Revision as of 08:03, 19 March 2023
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Quantitative research is a type of research that assumes that the phenomena under study can be measured and involves methods that:
- gather data using measurement (numerical data)
- analyse data by using quantitative statistical analysis techniques.
Quantitative Research Methodology[edit | edit source]
Methodology refers to the overall approach taken in a piece of research. [2] In quantitative research, it encompasses the general principles of investigation that guide how such a study is designed and conducted in order to answer a quantitative research question.
The methodological steps for quantitative investigations are found below.
The Research Question[edit | edit source]
The core of any research is the research question(s). [2] Research question(s) guide the design and methods used in a study, being key to not only identifying gaps in knowledge but also refining and adjusting existing knowldege. [2]
In quantitative research, the nature of the research question may be descriptive / normative or explanatory.
Descriptive / normative research questions[edit | edit source]
Descriptive research questions provide a descriptive account of a phenomenon within an established framework of knowledge; this approach is often used when aiming to develop a fuller account of an observation and is sometimes combined with identifying some relationships of potential interest. [2] For example, a researcher may choose to utilise survey methods to investigate the characteristics, perceptions and behavious about a particular condition in a specific population. [3]
Normative research questions are similar in their purpose to descriptive research questions, but also include an additional objective of comparing data gathered with a criterion or standard. [4]
Explanatory research questions[edit | edit source]
Explanatory research questions usually test a hypothesis i.e. a prediction that the study sets out to either retain or reject, by means of statistical inference testing. [5]
Designs[edit | edit source]
There are two main types of quantitative research designs: [1]
- Survey
- Experimental
Survey research designs[edit | edit source]
Survey designs are most frequently employed in healthcare epidemiology research.[6] Surveys may be used to gain insights into opinions and practices in large samples; they can be descriptive and/or be used to test associations. [6]
Experimental research designs[edit | edit source]
In experimental research designs, the researcher can manipulate one (or more) variable(s), the independent variable, and study the effect on a dependent variable. [1] There are many types of experimental designs; one of the most important is the randomised controlled trial.
Randomised controlled trials[edit | edit source]
Randomised controlled trials are considered top methods in the hierarchy of evidence when testing the link between cause and effect in clinical interventions. [7][8]
Summary of key differences between different forms of quantitative research[edit | edit source]
Key differences between different forms of quantitative research is found below. Distinctions have been simplified for clarity and some overlap may exist between characteristics. [2]
| Descriptive / Normative | Explanatory | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of research | Primary | Primary |
| Nature of research question | Fairly specific and largely definite | Highly specific and definite; Declarative |
| Research design | Structured, sequential and largely predetermined | Highly structured, sequential and predetermined |
| Data collected | Quantitative | Quantitative |
| Relationship to theory | Aims to develop or elaborate theory | Hypothesis testing |
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Watson R. Quantitative research. Nurs Stand. 2015 Apr 1;29(31):44-8.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Sim J., Wright C. Research in Health Care: concepts, designs and methods. Nelson Thornes: Cheltenham, UK. 2002
- ↑ Mouchtouri V., Agathagelidou E., Kofonikolas K., Rousou X., Dadouli K., Pinaka O., et al. Nationwide Survey in Greece about Knowledge, Risk Perceptions, and Preventive Behaviors for COVID-19 during the General Lockdown in April 2020. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Nov 28;17(23):8854.
- ↑ Hedrick T., Bickman L., Rog D. Applied Research Design: A Practical Guide. Sage Publications, Newbury Park. 1993
- ↑ Hazra A., Gogtay N. Biostatistics Series Module 2: Overview of Hypothesis Testing. Indian J Dermatol. 2016 Mar-Apr;61(2):137-45.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Safdar N., Abbo L., Knobloch M., Seo S.Research Methods in Healthcare Epidemiology: Survey and Qualitative Research. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2016 Nov; 37(11): 1272–1277.
- ↑ Evans D. Hierarchy of evidence: a framework for ranking evidence evaluating healthcare interventions. J Clin Nurs. 2003 Jan;12(1):77-84.
- ↑ Wallace S., Barak G., Truong G., Parker M. Hierarchy of Evidence Within the Medical Literature. Hosp Pediatr. 2022 Aug 1;12(8):745-750.
