Quantitative research

            Quantitative research is the systematic empirical investigation of observable phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques (Given, 2008).  In contrast, qualitative research uses non-statistical methods.  Quantitative research can begin when a theory or hypothesis is proposed.  For example, “38% of aviation mishaps at Chicago O’Hare airport are caused by weather”.  In another instance, this author has used quantitative research when he applied Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodologies to solve a “problem”.  Lean Six Sigma refers to a process that is 99.99966% error free (or in other words, less than 3.4 defects per million opportunities).  When a process falls below the LSS standard (3.4 DPMO) a problem statement aka hypothesis is made.  This type of quantitative research occurs in manufacturing (i.e. aircraft component/part manufacturing) when a good that is produced does not meet specifications.  In both of the above-mentioned scenarios, data is gathered to determine cause-and-effect relationships and the root cause analysis of the errors.  Data is collected from documents/reports where data was collected over time or data can be collected through observation.  In this type of research, the problem and solution can often be straightforward, that is, tangible answers will be produced. 

            However, in social science research, the problem and answer may not be so clear-cut.  For instance, a study may be on the “relationship between intelligence and self-esteem” or “what is an effective organizational leader?”  Quantitative research is used in social science to collect and analyze data to explain phenomena (Mamia, n.d.).   In social science research, the data is collected by using research instruments i.e. questionnaire/survey, interviews, and observation.  Quantitative research focuses on gathering numerical data and generalizing it across groups of people or to explain a particular phenomenon (Babbie, 2010).  Although the data may be quantitative, it demands that the researcher is an expert in the given field and has the intuition to discern and assess the data.  

            The main elements of quantitative research are research design, choice of data collection instrument, and choice of analysis tool (Mamia, n.d.).  Research design refers to the research being either descriptive or experimental.  A descriptive study is observational – the researcher observes the phenomena in its natural setting.  In experimental design, researchers may implement controls.  These “controls” refer to the choice of data collection instrument i.e. surveys, focus groups, etc.  The choice of analysis tool refers to the type of statistical tool i.e. t tests or f tests with significance levels. 

            Quantitative (and qualitative) research will be a tool that I will continue to use in my personal, education, and professional needs.  It will help me to understand and solve problems as well as answer the whys of everyday social phenomena.  For instance, it would be interesting to read a study on why there is a notion of “entitlement” with the millennial generation!

References

Babbie, E. (2010). The Practice of Social Research. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage.

Given, L. M. (2008). The Sage encyclopedia of qualitative research methods. Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications.

Mamia, T. (n.d.). Retrieved from erau.instructure.com: https://erau.instructure.com/courses/34959/pages/a500-dot-7-1-dot-cr-readings?module_item_id=1548192