Quantitative Research Defined
While qualitative research looks to provide an understanding by answering the “how” questions, quantitative research looks to provide explanations by answering the “why” questions (Mamia, n.d.). These methods are considered complimentary, so they can be used together to provide the most thorough answers and solutions to problems.
Elements of Quantitative Research
Some of the main elements of quantitative research as described by Mamia (n.d.) are:
- It is based on the idea that phenomena can be quantified, measured, and expressed numerically
- The information about the phenomenon is expressed in numeric terms that be analyzed by statistical methods.
- Observations can be direct numeric information or be classified into numeric variables.
- Observations are transformed into a data matrix with observation units in individual rows and variables in individual columns.
- The data matrix is the starting point for analysis.
The variables mentioned above must have an observable and measurable characteristic that varies among the different units being measured. Observation units could be such things as various elements of a pilot proficiency check, where the variable would be either a score or a pass/fail rating that measures performance on a task. An example of this can be seen Table 1.
Table 1
Total Count of Tasks Completed with Unsatisfactory Performance Count and Percentage
TASK
|
COUNT
|
UNSAT #
|
UNSAT %
|
Normal Takeoff
|
4809
|
3
|
0.06%
|
Crosswind Takeoff
|
4804
|
3
|
0.06%
|
Instrument Takeoff
|
4795
|
3
|
0.06%
|
Takeoff with Engine Failure
|
4739
|
19
|
0.40%
|
Rejected Takeoff
|
4723
|
5
|
0.11%
|
Area Departure
|
4776
|
8
|
0.17%
|
Note: UNSAT stands for unsatisfactory completion of a task.
Information such as shown in Table 1 can be used to provide comparisons between individuals who were included in the study, as well as across time periods to track change and explore the reasons for that change. This also illustrates where qualitative analysis could join the analysis effort, as we try to determine how we arrived at the scores shown.
Summary
Well designed quantitative research can provide clear causal links between observed elements and the related variables. It is a great approach for quantitative comparisons between individuals and groups. A weakness of this type of research is that it only applies to measurable phenomena. When combined with qualitative research a more complete picture can emerge.
References
Mamia., T. (n.d.) Quantitative research methods, Retrieved from: https://erau.blackboard.com/bbcswebdav/pid-11654631-dt-content-rid- 38257535_4/institution/Worldwide_Online/MSLD/MSLD_50
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