Quantitative data in research methods

 In sociology Quantitative research refers to the systematic empirical investigation of social phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques. The objective of quantitative research is to develop and employ theories or hypothesis. The process of measurement is central to quantitative research because it provides the fundamental connection between empirical observations and mathematical expression of quantitative relationships.

Quantitative data is any data that is in numerical form such as statistics and percentages. In layman's terms, this means that the quantitative researchers ask specific, narrow questions and collects a sample of numerical data from participants to answer the question. The researcher analyses the data with the help of statistics. The researcher is hoping the numbers will yield an unbiased result that can be generalized to some larger population. This can be seen in (Newman 1998:3) who argued that the quantitative approach is used when one begins to test a theory or an assumption and can be a good way to prove or disprove that assumption or hypothesis.

Using quantitative data in secondary research is extremely useful as it allows you to see patterns which have already been established within the sociological research and enables you to use this within your research processes. It also allows for little time to be used in collecting the data as they are already visible and easy to see all you have to do is use them and say why and reference.One problem however of using quantitative data in social research as a secondary source in any research module is that you never know how accurate the information which you are using is and whether or not it is of a large target population or whether a small sample has been used.

The use of qualitative data in primary research is a very useful tool, for showing in statistical form the information which you have discovered. One disadvantage of using this method in primary research is the fact that it takes time, resources and effort to sit through all the information you have found; which can mainly be sought through the use of questionnaires, to collate evidence and data into appropriate statistical forms. However although this takes time it is useful when looking at this because it allows you to conduct new research which could give you more reliable and valid information which you can then use to looked at the secondary data which you initially use to see whether it proves or disproves what has previously done giving more validity to your arguments.