Quantitative research – ATLAS.ti

Choosing a Quantitative Research Design

The research design is composed of:

• Type of research
• Data collection
• Data description
• Method of analysis

Which method of data collection and analysis is suitable depends on the research questions.

A distinction can be made between dependent and independent variables in quantitative research. Independent variables are considered to have an effect on other variables in the research context. They influence the dependent variable(s). Regression analysis can be run to determine whether an independent variable has an effect. For example, one can examine the bathing time (dependent variable) of swimming pool guests as a function of the water temperature (independent variable).

Correlational analysis can be used to determine whether two variables are related, but no cause and effect relationship can be established. For example, it has been observed that more children are born in places where many storks live. This however does not mean that storks deliver babies. The simple explanation for this observation is that birth rates are higher in the countryside, and storks also prefer to live in this environment.