Quantitative research methods were originally developed in the natural sciences to study natural phenomena.
Quantitative research reflects the philosophy that everything can be described according to some type of
numerical system:
Characteristics of quantitative research
· It is usually based upon numerical measurements and thus tends to use numbers and
statistical methods as key research indicators and tools.
· Conducts the inquiry in unbiased objective manner
· Description to tends or an explanation of variables relationships.
· It tends to be associated with large-scale studies and with a specific focus, often
condensing information from a large number of specific occurrences to search for
general description or to investigate causal hypotheses.
· Validity and reliability can be measured numerically using statistical tests.
· A common perception of quantitative research is that the emphasis is on proof rather
than discovery