A500.7.3.RB_SchreterPaul

After going through some slides on quantitative research, I’ve been able to define (in a basic sense) on what quantitative research actually is. Hoepfl was able to define it as something that “uses experimental methods and quantitative measures to test hypothetical generalizations.” (Hoepfl, 1997) It provides a unique opportunity in allowing insight that qualitative research cannot. The basic idea behind this blog post it to identify two major elements of what quantitative research can provide: The first being that it enables us to observe the non-observable and the second being that it allows for comparisons between groups.

An element that defines what quantitative research is, is that it “enables research and description of social structures and processes that are not directly observable.” (Mamia, 2013) For example Dan Ariely commented on some research that was conducted and part of that research showed that Sweden had an 86% organ donation rate within its country. (Ariely, 2013) Organ donation rate isn’t something that one can directly observe and so the collection of data allows for such observation. This also shows that we are able to come up with simple conclusions about various articles of data.

Another element that helps define what quantitative research is that it is well suited for “comparisons between groups, areas etc.” (Mamia, 2013) To comment on Dan Ariely’s presentation, we were able to conclude that countries that had an opt-in organ donation service had less donation rates than those countries that had an opt-out organ donation service. (Ariely, 2013) This shows that we were able to collect a large amount of data and come up with conclusions and comparisons between two major groups of populations that otherwise wouldn’t have been directly observable.

The two major elements being quantitative research is that it allows us to observe the un-observable and to allow for comparisons between groups of bodies. Quantitative research takes on a form much similar to that of early level physics classes that one would take in sixth form or Uni, where students could potentially create a hypothesis and then test that hypotheses against a collection of data/tests. This provides an incredible opportunity to develop a deeper understanding on the various interests.

References

Ariely, D. (2013). Dan Ariely: Are we in control of our own decisions? Retrieved from TED: http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_ariely_asks_are_we_in_control_of_our_own_decisions.html

Hoepfl, M. (1997). Choosing Qualitative Research: A Primer for Technology Education Researchers. Retrieved from Journal of Technology Education: http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JTE/v9n1/hoepfl.html

Mamia, T. (2013). Quantitative Research Methods. Retrieved from ISSS: https://erau.blackboard.com/bbcswebdav/pid-13030312-dt-content-rid-38257535_4/institution/Worldwide_Online/MSLD_Program/MSLD_500/msld_500_quant_research_methods_lecture1_tero_mamia.pdf