Quantitative research involves information that deals with quantities and numbers. That is different from the qualitative approach, which is known for observation and description. You can measure quantitative results, but you cannot do so for the qualitative work. The research takes on a systematic approach that relies on an empirical investigation of observable phenomena. It uses statistical models, computational techniques, and mathematics to develop and employ hypotheses or theories regarding specific ideas. The process of measurement is central to the success of this work. It is used widely in psychology, sociology, and marketing as a way to provide evidence that a hypothesis is correct. Instead of relying on instinct or opinion, this method of research seeks out facts before suggesting an outcome. That is why the research gets closely affiliated with the scientific method. Several advantages and disadvantages of quantitative research are worth reviewing when there is a hypothesis under consideration. List of the Advantages of Quantitative Research1. The quantitative approach allows you to reach a higher sample size. 2. You can collect information quickly when using quantitative research. Quantitative research doesn’t require the separation of systems or the identification of variables to produce results. That’s why it is a straightforward process to implement. 3. Quantitative research uses randomized samples. This approach uses a randomized process to collect information. That excludes bias from appearing in most situations. It also provides an advantage in the fact that the data can then get statistically applied to the rest of the demographic being studied. There is always a risk of error to consider, but it is this method that typically supplies the most factual results. 4. Results duplication is possible when using quantitative research. That’s why this information is useful when looking at the need for specific future outcomes. The facts provide statistics that are suitable to consider when difficult decisions must get made. 5. Quantitative research can focus on facts or a series of information. When we can comprehend the meaning behind the decisions that people make, then it is easier to discover pain points or specific preferences that require resolution. Then the data analysis can extend to the rest of the population so that everyone can benefit from this work. 6. The research performed with the quantitative approach is anonymous. 7. Quantitative research doesn’t require direct observation to be useful. Although the difficulty of the questions asked or the length of a survey or interview can be barriers to participation, the amount of data that researchers collect from the quantitative process is always useful. List of the Disadvantages of Quantitative Research1. This method doesn’t consider the meaning behind social phenomena. 2. Every answer provided in this research method must stand on its own. Part of this disadvantage is due to the anonymous nature of the data that researchers collect. If an answer provides inconclusive results, then there is no way to guarantee the validity of what was received. It is even possible to skew results when a question might be incorrectly formatted. 3. Quantitative research sometimes creates unnatural environments. 4. Some efforts at randomization will not create usable information. One person might decide to purchase pizza because they’ve had a long day at work and don’t feel like cooking at home. Another individual could make the same decision because it’s Tuesday, and they always purchase pizza on that day. A third household might become customers of a pizzeria because they are celebrating a family birthday. Quantitative data looks at the fact that everyone bought pizza, and it doesn’t care about the reasons why. 5. There is no access to specific feedback. The statistics that researchers gather when using this approach are useful for generalizations that let you see if goods or services earn a passing grade in a specific demographic. What this data cannot produce are specific feedback incidents that allow for positive refinement. 6. Quantitative research studies can be very expensive. There are some affordable methods to use when considering the quantitative research method, such as online polling or emails, but you don’t have any guarantees that the respondents fit into your targeted demographic. 7. Answer validity always creates a cloud of doubt on the final results. This disadvantage is the reason why you see so many duplicated quantitative research efforts. When the same results occur multiple times, then there is more confidence in the data produced. If different outcomes happen, then researchers know that there are information concerns that require management. 8. Individual characteristics don’t always apply to the general population. Conclusion The use of quantitative research is uncontroversial in most biological and physical sciences. It often gets compared with qualitative methods because the same truth applies to that approach. Each one gets used when it is the most appropriate option. It is more controversial to use the quantitative method in the social sciences where individuality is sometimes more important than demographical data. We use quantitative methods to provide testable and precise expressions to qualitative ideas. Then we use the qualitative methods to understand the conclusions that we generate from the statistical analysis of the quantitative approach. That’s why we review the advantages and disadvantages of quantitative research whenever data collection is necessary. It allows us to focus on facts instead of opinion in a way that we can duplicate in future studies. About the Author |