Quantitative Research Methods

Educational professionals are concerned with learning, achievement motivation, human growth and development, and human behavior. Consequently, measuring change in these areas is of great interest and need to educational researchers. The purpose of quantitative research is to find solutions to problems worthy of investigation. Results of quantitative research provide objective evidence as a basis for decision making. These decisions may affect individuals, organized programs of study, or entire school systems. For example, new teaching methods may be implemented, new programs established, curricula modified, new programs implemented, or new evaluation procedures used based on the results of quantitative research. Over time, results of quantitative research can influence an entire field of study; such was the case with Piaget's research in child development.

Quantitative research methods allow researchers ...