Types of Quantitative Research Customer Journey Map

5 Types Of Quantitative Research

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Types of Quantitative Research Customer Journey Map
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When you gather numerical data from your target audience, the research method you use is called quantitative research. In this research, you use closed-ended questions where the answer options are associated with a numerical value. Once you have collected the value you use analysis tools to turn them into insights. 

This sums up the process of conducting quantitative research. However, there are five types of quantitative research based on the approach you use to collect the data. And the purpose of this blog is to explore these five types.

01

What is Quantitative Research?

Quantitative research refers to collecting and evaluating numerical data to test a hypothesis or identify patterns and correlations within the numbers. Quantitative research differs from qualitative research, which involves collecting and evaluating non-numerical data. 

Quantitative research is concerned with identifying the facts about different social phenomena. It employs the use of statistical data so that numerical comparisons and statistical inferences can be made in an attempt to verify or refute the hypothesis of the study.

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02

What are the types of quantitative research?

There are five main types of quantitative research designs and they are:

  1. Descriptive Research Design
  2. Survey Research
  3. Correlational Research Design
  4. Quasi-experimental Research Design
  5. Experimental Research Design 

These five research types explain five ways you can gather quantitative data. These five methodologies also vary due to the different procedures each type undertakes. Each approach helps gather insightful data that can help you make confident decisions. 

Let’s explore these five types in detail. 

1. Descriptive Research Design 

Descriptive research is used to understand a phenomenon, a situation, or a population. Unlike experimental research, descriptive research does not involve the manipulation of certain variables. Rather, it seeks only to observe and measure the variables to investigate them. 

Among the types of quantitative research, this design is used when trying to identify characteristics, categories, and trends. The most common methods of collecting descriptive research are case studies, observations, and surveys. You can leverage offline survey tools to conduct observations or face-to-face surveys. 

2. Survey Research

Surveys are the most popular and common method to gather data. You can ask multiple questions to a wide population. Moreover, you can conduct surveys using online survey tools.  The data analysis is also simple since you can use advanced survey analytics software.

You can choose to conduct surveys in two ways – cross-sectional and longitudinal. 

  • Cross-sectional surveys are used when you want to conduct research at a given point in time.
  • Longitudinal surveys, on the other hand, are used when you want to run surveys at various durations. 

3. Correlational Research Design

Correlational research is a non-experimental research method used to identify a relationship between two variables with no influence from any extraneous variable. 

Among the types of quantitative research, this design can help you recognize patterns and trends in the feedback you gather. For example, an ice cream brand can use this methodology to identify the relationship between weather (temperature) and ice cream sales. 

The correlation between the two variables will reflect their relationship’s direction and/or strength. 

  • A positive correlation denotes that both variables change in the same direction.
  • A negative correlation denotes that the variables change in opposite directions. 
  • A zero correlation denotes that there is no relationship between the variables being studied.
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4. Quasi-Experimental Research Design

Similar to the experimental research design, quasi-experimental research also aims to identify a cause-and-effect relationship between two variables; independent and dependent variables. 

However, quasi-experiment involves subjects being assigned to groups based on non-random criteria. 

Among the types of quantitative research, this design is often employed when true experiments cannot be carried out due to practical or ethical reasons. A notable advantage of this design is that it has higher external validity than most true experiments, as it often involves real-world interventions instead of an artificial laboratory setting. 

5. Experimental Research Design

Experimental research, also known as true experimentation, aims to measure the effect of one or more independent variables on one or more dependent variables using the scientific method. This is done by manipulating the independent variable to study its effects on the dependent variable. 

The experimental research design involves conducting a set of procedures to test the hypothesis. Subjects within experimental research are randomly assigned to groups rather than being assigned to groups using non-random criteria.

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03

Wrapping up;

In quantitative research, the data you gather is collected and presented in its numerical value. There are five types of quantitative research approaches you can use to gather the desired data. 

This concludes our article on introducing the five quantitative research designs. In research, the quantitative data needs to have statistical significance in order for it to be a proper representation of the target population. 

For this reason, researchers often use online survey software to conduct quantitative research. The tool can help you build a target panel of respondents and also distribute your surveys across various channels.

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