Quantitative Research

Quantitative Research is where you ask someone their opinion in a structured manner so that you are able to get hard facts (and statistics) to help you. This sort of method is Numerical based so things such as Statistical Charts, Surveys, Viewing Figures and Hits on a website are the things that the researcher focused on for this way of gathering Research.

Statistical Charts have the advantage of the researcher being able to measure them up into a graph and charts; this will identify who does what (e.g. You note down how many students were late and what their name is and also note down which students aren’t late and what their name is as well). Another advantage is that it can be analysed quickly so that it doesn’t take too much time just to go over your answers, or if you’re viewing someone else’s work it doesn’t take long for you to look over theirs. The disadvantage of this method is that it doesn’t explain why or how (e.g. Why the student was late or how); this could cause confusion and possibly create trouble later on in your work if someone does not understand. Another disadvantage is that it isn’t suitable if you are looking for a method to evaluate the interviewee’s opinions on the subject that you have a Statistical Chart on.

Surveys have the advantage of getting information from a large amount of people (e.g. Questions on paper that is passed around); you can hire people to give out the surveys that are displayed on paper OR you can send them to people via emailing such as Hotmail, Facebook or posting a letter. Another advantage is that you can gather a broader range of information (e.g. Attitudes, beliefs, values, behaviour, etc.) and display the results you have gathered in your work. The disadvantage of this method could be that there is a data error due to one/a few of the questions on the survey that haven’t been answered (Left blank). Another disadvantage can also be because of close-ended questions; they are answered with a yes or a no and cannot gather any detailed information.