Definition 1.3.2. Quantitative research.
Quantitative research summarises and analyses data using numerical methods, such as averages, proportions and percentages.
Section 1.3 Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research
Research can be broadly classified as qualitative or quantitative. These are different yet complementary approaches to answering research questions (Table 1.3.1). Both methods have advantages and disadvantages, and can be used together (called mixed-methods research). The decision to use qualitative, quantitative or mixed-methods approaches depends on the purpose of the research.
| Qualitative | Aspect | Quantitative |
|---|---|---|
| Feelings, opinions | What | Measured or observed data |
| Suggest hypotheses, explore, depth | Why | Make objective conclusions |
| Non-random samples | Studied | Representative samples; random samples |
| Very detailed; for specific groups | Conclusions | General |
| Words, audio, video, pictures, … | Data | Numbers, measurements, counts, … |
| Usually small samples are studied | Size | Often large samples are studied |
| Often time-consuming | Time | Usually more efficient |
| Rarely generalisable | Applicability | Often generalisable |
| Thematic analysis, content analysis, etc. | Analysis | Numerical summaries, test hypotheses, etc. |
| Interviews, focus groups | Examples | Experiments, closed surveys, lab. studies |
Briefly, qualitative research leads to a deeper understanding, usually for a very specific group. Meanings, motivations, opinions or themes often emerge from qualitative research. In contrast, quantitative research summarises and analyses data usually from large groups, using numerical methods, such as averages and percentages. In quantitative research, typically information about a large group of interest (a population) is found from a subset of the population (a sample).
Warning 1.3.3.
This book is about quantitative research.
Example 1.3.4. Types of research.
Photograph of an electric taxi.
[65] used mixed-methods research to study the adoption of electric taxis in Nottingham (UK).
In the quantitative component of the study, taxis were tracked for over \(32\,000\kms\) and \(9\,764\hs\text{.}\) The researchers determined where taxis often stopped (as potential charging locations). The Trent Street taxi rank (near the main train station) was the most-used stop with an average wait time of \(20\mins\text{;}\) Milton St (\(17\mins\)) and Wheeler gate (\(10\mins\)) also recorded high average stop-times. Numerical information about speeds was also obtained.
In the qualitative component of the study, nine taxis drivers participated in interviews and focus groups. This allowed the researchers to (p. 6)
…explore themes and motivations in a way that was not possible with the initial quantitative analysis.
Participants’ responses were classified as barriers (safety; costs; speeds) or facilitators (opportunities to charge regularly; convenient locations) to the proposed charging locations.
Example 1.3.5. Quantitative research.
During 1988/1989, an unusually high number of Legionella longbeachae infections were observed in South Australians. The researchers [35] wanted to identify the source to prevent further infections.
The researchers noticed that many of those infected were gardeners who had recently handled potting mix, so they hypothesised that the infection was associated with using potting mix. They designed a study to test this hypothesis, then collected data from \(100\) people (\(25\) with the infection, and \(75\) people of similar age and sex without the infection).
The researchers classified and summarised the data, then analysed the data to reach an evidence-based conclusion: potting mix was partially, but not solely, responsible for the infections. The researchers communicated their recommendations to reduce the risks of people contracting the infection in the future.
Note 1.3.6. The six steps of research.
This book explains the six steps of research. Arrange these steps into the common order, using these terms: Design; Classify and summarise; Analyse; Ask; Collect; Report.
Step 1: _________ the question.
Step 2: _________ the study.
Step 3: _________ the data.
Step 4: _________ the data.
Step 5: _________ the data.
Step 6: _________ the results.
