Chapter 4 - Introduction to quantitative research. After reading this chapter, you should be able to: Describe quantitative research and its assumptions, identify examples of quantitative research, explain analytic deduction, explain the five-component model for quantitative research, explain the role of hypotheses in quantitative research,. | Introduction to quantitative research Chapter 4 What is Quantitative research Quantity is the unit of analysis Amounts Frequencies Degrees Values Intensity Uses statistics for greater precision and objectivity Based on the deductive model Conceptualizing quantitative research Overall purpose or objective Research literature Research questions and hypotheses Selecting appropriate methods Validity and reliability of the data Foundation for quantitative research Concept Abstract thinking to distinguish it from other elements Construct Theoretical definition of a concept; must be observable or measurable; linked to other concepts Variable Presented in research questions and hypotheses Operationalization Specifically how the variable is observed or measured Hypotheses for quantitative research Educated guess or presumption based on literature States the nature of the relationship between two or more variables Predicts the research outcome Research study designed to test the relationship . | Introduction to quantitative research Chapter 4 What is Quantitative research Quantity is the unit of analysis Amounts Frequencies Degrees Values Intensity Uses statistics for greater precision and objectivity Based on the deductive model Conceptualizing quantitative research Overall purpose or objective Research literature Research questions and hypotheses Selecting appropriate methods Validity and reliability of the data Foundation for quantitative research Concept Abstract thinking to distinguish it from other elements Construct Theoretical definition of a concept; must be observable or measurable; linked to other concepts Variable Presented in research questions and hypotheses Operationalization Specifically how the variable is observed or measured Hypotheses for quantitative research Educated guess or presumption based on literature States the nature of the relationship between two or more variables Predicts the research outcome Research study designed to test the relationship described in the hypothesis Types of research hypotheses Directional hypothesis Precise statement indicating the nature and direction of the relationship/difference between variables Nondirectional hypothesis States only that relationship/difference will occur Assessing hypotheses Simply stated? Single sentence? At least two variables? Variables clearly stated? Is the relationship/difference precisely stated? Testable? Null hypotheses Implicit complementary statement to the research hypothesis States no relationship/difference exists between variables Statistical test performed on the null Assumed to be true until support for the research hypothesis is demonstrated Remember that -- Hypotheses are always tentative Research hypothesis, not the null hypothesis, is the focus of the research and presented in the research report Research questions for quantitative research Preferred when little is known about a communication phenomenon Used when previous studies report conflicting results .
