Quantitative research offers a means to confirm ideas through
surveys or experiments.
in-depth interviews.
data mining.
qualitative research.
informal analysis. ‘
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is: surveys or experiments.
Explanation:
Quantitative research focuses on gathering and analyzing numerical data to confirm or validate ideas, theories, or hypotheses. It is often used to establish patterns, generalizations, and statistical relationships within a population. This type of research allows for objective measurement and a high degree of reliability because it relies on structured methods of data collection.
The primary methods of collecting data in quantitative research are surveys and experiments. Here’s how each contributes to quantitative research:
- Surveys: Surveys involve collecting data from a large group of individuals through structured questionnaires or interviews. The questions in surveys are typically close-ended, meaning the responses are numerical or categorical (e.g., multiple-choice, Likert scales). By analyzing responses to the same questions across a large sample, researchers can quantify opinions, behaviors, or characteristics, and generalize findings to a broader population.
- Experiments: Experiments are a fundamental tool in quantitative research, particularly in the field of scientific inquiry. In an experiment, researchers manipulate one or more independent variables to observe their effects on dependent variables. This controlled environment allows researchers to establish causal relationships between variables. Experiments are often conducted in laboratories or controlled settings, but can also be field experiments. The results of experiments provide numerical data that can be statistically analyzed.
While in-depth interviews, data mining, qualitative research, and informal analysis can all be part of research efforts, they are not the primary methods of data collection in quantitative research. In-depth interviews and qualitative research are focused on understanding phenomena from a more subjective perspective, typically through open-ended questions or discussions. Data mining involves extracting patterns from large datasets, which may or may not yield quantifiable results. Informal analysis is typically less structured and often lacks the rigor needed for robust quantitative analysis.
In summary, surveys and experiments are the cornerstone methods of quantitative research because they yield measurable, numerical data that can confirm or reject hypotheses.