Research methodology Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Research methodology - Case Study Example For experimental quantitative research, the question has to be set in a way that it seeks to capture the relationship between the independent and dependent variables under the specified conditions. A causal relationship between variables is indicated by one variable following the other logically. On the other hand, the question for quasi-experiment, descriptive and correlational quantitative research does not seek to manipulate variables. Rather, it seeks to guide the gathering of existing data and deduce the relationship between variables without going by causality. There are categorical, ordinal, and continuous variable measurements in quantitative research (Swanson & Holton 2005, p.29). The choice of the participants of a study is guided by the need to ensure a sample size and composition that is representative of the population to which the findings of the study are generalized. The choice of participants is also influenced by the consideration of the nature of participants – whether human or nonhuman – because of ethical issues and this impacts the choice of the most appropriate research design. The decision of which methods to use in answering the research question posed is guided by the variables, research design and participants. This decision considers the quantity and quality of the source of the data, validity and reliability. The findings of a study can be invalidated or undermined by the lack of validity and reliability. The analysis and interpretation of data is founded on the statistical significance deduced. Data analysis in quantitative research utilizes statistics to explain how variables predict, associate, compare, and describe how th e outcomes of a study answer the propositions of the study. Data analysis tools are chosen on the basis of the propositions of the study, the type of data and type of research