Quantitative research can be defined as a systematic investigation of phenomena done by gathering quantifiable data and performing statistical, mathematical, or computational techniques. In easy words, it is a process of collecting and analyzing quantifiable data.

In this research, inferences are drawn based on quantifiable or numerical data by finding out patterns and averages, making predictions, testing causal relationships, and generalizing results to wider populations. Quantitative methodology is such a set of strategies, techniques and assumptions widely used to study psychological, social and economic processes by means of exploring numeric patterns. Quantitative research uses measurable data to formulate facts and uncover patterns in research. Deductions derived from quantitative data are believed to be much more objective as these are based on proven numerical data making them more reliable.

Quantitative research is the opposite of Qualitative Research that focuses on collecting and analyzing non-numerical data i.e. narratives and/or open-ended observations.

Examples of Quantitative Research

Some examples are:

• Measuring the living standard of a particular group of people (e.g. on a scale from 1 to 10).
• Measuring the average age of a particular group of people.
• Measuring the satisfaction level of an audience after a lecture (e.g. on a scale from 1 to 5).

Further Readings

Babbie, Earl R (2010). The Practice of Social Research. 12th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage.
Creswell, J. W. (2013). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage publications.
Muijs, Daniel (2010). Doing Quantitative Research in Education with SPSS. 2nd edition. London: SAGE Publications.