Quantitive research

Quantitive research is a bi-polar opposite of qualitative research and involves the collection of data in numerical form and is more about a mathematical understanding to social science. Percentages and statistics are its preferred form of data collection giving an insight on numerical information behind a persons behaviour.
A huge part of quantitive research is based around creating models and hypothesis which in conclusion interpret the varying forms of data into an output of meaning and understanding.
These statistics gathered through quantitive research offer a varying different reality to information collected through qualitative research, offering results and information effective for statistical evaluation rather than behavioural understanding.

Methods of data collection in quantitative research include:

•  surveys (questionnaires)
•  structured interviewing
•  structured observation
•  secondary analysis and official statistics
• content analysis according to a coding system
• quasi-experiments (studies that have some of the characteristics of experimental design)
•  classic experiments (studies that have control groups and experimental groups).

(http://www.col.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/A5.pdf, Module A5 mixed research methods, Practitioner research and evaluation skills training in open and distance learning)



In conclusion quantitive research is an opposite data collection process that can in certain circumstances complement information gathered through qualitative research but offers a more mathematical statistical flow of information.