Quantitative Research

Quantitative research collects numerical data and analyses it statistically to describe populations, test hypotheses and estimate relationships between variables. It is grounded in a positivist or post-positivist position, assuming a measurable reality that can be studied objectively.

Its strengths are precision, replicability and generalisation. Standardised instruments applied to a sufficiently large and well-drawn sample support inference from sample to population and allow findings to be compared across studies and combined through meta-analysis.

Its limitation is depth: numbers establish that a relationship exists but rarely explain why it exists or what it means to participants. That is the gap qualitative work fills, and the reason mixed-methods designs pair the two. Typical designs include surveys, experiments, quasi-experiments and analysis of secondary data.