Quantitative Research Methods
After successfully completing this course you have shown that you are capable of:
• Describing and explaining the most important quantitative research strategies;
• Performing essential steps in a quantitative research cycle: develop hypotheses, translate
concepts into measurable items, and analyse observational survey data to test hypotheses;
• Writing an academic report based on a quantitative study.
Lecture 1:
What is Quantitative research?
Revolve around answering a particular research question by
collecting numerical data that are analyzed by the use of
mathematical methods (in particular, statistics)
Types of quantitative research
Tie & drill: They are both given to men as gifts
,Why do we need quantitative research?
• In essence, quantitative research methods provide us with a toolbox to study
the (social) world around us by the use of the scientific method.
• Helps in minimizing cognitive assumptions that may distort our
interpretation
• Depending on the state of prior theory and research on the topic, you have to
use quantitative methods to make a useful contribution to our understanding
of the world
• Only way to establish causal relationships
When do we need quantitative research?
Simpson’s paradox: refers to a phenomena whereby the association between a
pair of variables (X, Y) reverses sign upon conditioning of a third variable, Z,
regardless of the value taken by Z.
Example: a higher dosage of medicine may be associated with higher recovery
rates at the population-level; however, within subgroups(e.g., for both males
and females), a higher dosage may actually result in lower recovery rates.
Exam question: what is R
, Why do we need research design?
• A research design tells you how you will answer a particular research
question
• A good research design is capable of answering the research question
After successfully completing this course you have shown that you are capable of:
• Describing and explaining the most important quantitative research strategies;
• Performing essential steps in a quantitative research cycle: develop hypotheses, translate
concepts into measurable items, and analyse observational survey data to test hypotheses;
• Writing an academic report based on a quantitative study.
Lecture 1:
What is Quantitative research?
Revolve around answering a particular research question by
collecting numerical data that are analyzed by the use of
mathematical methods (in particular, statistics)
Types of quantitative research
Tie & drill: They are both given to men as gifts
,Why do we need quantitative research?
• In essence, quantitative research methods provide us with a toolbox to study
the (social) world around us by the use of the scientific method.
• Helps in minimizing cognitive assumptions that may distort our
interpretation
• Depending on the state of prior theory and research on the topic, you have to
use quantitative methods to make a useful contribution to our understanding
of the world
• Only way to establish causal relationships
When do we need quantitative research?
Simpson’s paradox: refers to a phenomena whereby the association between a
pair of variables (X, Y) reverses sign upon conditioning of a third variable, Z,
regardless of the value taken by Z.
Example: a higher dosage of medicine may be associated with higher recovery
rates at the population-level; however, within subgroups(e.g., for both males
and females), a higher dosage may actually result in lower recovery rates.
Exam question: what is R
, Why do we need research design?
• A research design tells you how you will answer a particular research
question
• A good research design is capable of answering the research question
