Quantitative Research
Research provides a framework for the study’s planning, analysis, and implementation, with a proper choice of research methodology needed to effectively and successfully carry out the study. Quantitative research methods systematically collect and analyze data to identify large populations’ averages, trends, and relationships. This paper expounds on quantitative research design describing the different steps in conducting quantitative research.
Quantitative Research
Quantitative research is a method that focuses on finding the mathematical representation of an empirical phenomenon by establishing a numerical relationship (McLeod, 2019). Numerical data is objectively collected and analyzed to describe, control, or predict variables of interest. Quantitative research aims to test the causal relationships between variables while predicting and generalizing wider populations’ relationships (McLeod, 2019). This is by establishing general laws of phenomenon and behavior across different settings.
Research Problem and Questions
A research problem refers to an issue, gap, or challenge that introduces the research topic’s significance. It provides an overview of the research direction while placing it in a particular context for constraint definition (Kumari, 2022). Also, the research problem provides a framework for reporting results and indicates the need for research conduction while explaining how the information will be presented based on the findings. Research problems should not have unnecessary jargon to identify research concepts and terms. There are four categories of research problems in the field of social sciences. These include casuist research problems, descriptive research problems, difference research problems, and relational research problems (Kumari, 2022). Before developing a research problem, it is essential to identify a broad research area. In addition, the research problem must be formulated considering the research objectives.
A research question is a specific inquiry that shows the path of the research process. It explores, learns, and thoroughly examines the research topic (Kumari, 2022). The first step in any research project is developing a research question that determines the methodology and hypothesis of the study. Research questions also guide the different stages of the study, including data analysis and interpretation (Kumari, 2022). Effective formulation of the research question provides a framework for gathering all necessary information required for the research.
Review of Literature
A literature review is a detailed process summarizing previous research on the studied topic. This includes obtaining information from scholarly books, articles, and other relevant sources (Paul & Criado, 2020). A review of the literature enumerates, summarizes, describes, evaluates, and clarifies the previous findings objectively. It also gives a theoretical base for the research that helps determine its nature. In addition, a literature review creates a landscape for the reader to fully understand the various developments experienced in the field being studied (Paul & Criado, 2020). This contributes to the researched domains’ conceptual, thematic, and methodological development.
A review of literature may be conducted as a systematic or meta-analytic expounding on the quantitative effect. Effective review of literature requires the researcher to carefully synthesize and identify relevant literature while comparing and contrasting their findings (Paul & Criado, 2020). Reviewing the literature makes it possible for the readers to understand the research topic’s state-of-art including prevalent gaps while signaling future avenues of research. For instance, a systematic review provides critical discussion related to a particular theme including integration of prior studies synthesis, extant literature, development of new theoretical frameworks, and identifying the knowledge gap (Paul & Criado, 2020). A review of the literature is significant in eradicating reliance on similar and old theories, methods, and measures in developing research papers.
Design
The quantitative research design varies depending on the adopted method: face-to-face interviews, physical counts, online surveys, and telephone interviews. This research design involves large sample sizes and substantially focuses on the quantity of responses. For fair data analysis, respondents in quantitative research are asked similar questions. Data is supplied numerically and can be quantified using statistical methods (Borgstede & Scholz, 2021). Also, quantitative research design favors close-ended questions to increase the efficiency of the research process by avoiding lengthy open-ended responses. In quantitative research, variables are used to represent complex problems. Its results can be compared, summarized, and generalized (Borgstede & Scholz, 2021). In addition, this research design tends to use quantifiable and direct questions containing phrases such as what proportion, what percentage, to what extent, and how much.
Sample Selection
A sample in quantitative research is a subset of the total amount of data gathered from lengthy observations and surveys. It can be considered a small measurement unit representing the actual data (Rahman et al., 2022). Before selecting samples, it is crucial to define the total population and sample frame. A target population entails a group of people or items the researcher uses to make a broad generalization. Samples are obtained from the target group. A sampling frame comprises the entire list of the population’s sample units. Samples are selected using two broad techniques, probability, and non-probability sampling. Probability sampling is adopted where every item in a population can be selected (Rahman et al., 2022). Common types of this sampling method are stratified sampling, simple random sampling, systematic random sampling, and multi-stage sampling technique. Contrarily, the non-probability sampling technique uses subjective judgment to select samples, including purposive, snowball, self-selection, purposive, and quota sampling (Berndt, 2020).
In the process of choosing the sampling technique, the researcher must consider multiple factors, including study methodology, research question, existing knowledge of the target population size of the target population, similarity or difference degree, desired confidence for study conclusion along with generalizability and time/financial constraints (Berndt, 2020). If a study involves a small population, the researcher may select all items, a condition referred to as a census study. Probability sampling should be used when the size of the population is known or closely estimated (Berndt, 2020). Also, probability sampling is recommended if there is a large population of interest whose variation from true parameters can be identified.
Conclusion
Quantitative research is an effective method of studying complex aspects of social sciences and presenting them using a variable. It provides a framework for quantifying data results using statistical methods. The basis for developing quantitative research is research problems and questions. Research question and problem plays a vital role in developing research methodologies and representing research results. In order to establish a connection between the research topic and past studies, it is critical to review the literature. It provides detailed information on past methodologies, theoretical processes, and finding related to the current study, which guides the researcher in developing methodology. It is also critical for the researcher to be familiar with the research design to be adopted based on the anticipated results. For instance, quantitative research would be preferred if there is a need to establish a numerical relationship. Due to the large size of the population data, sample selection is required. In quantitative research, probability and non-probability sampling techniques are used for sample selection.

References
Berndt, A. E. (2020). Sampling methods. Journal of Human Lactation, 36(2), 224-226. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334420906850
Borgstede, M., & Scholz, M. (2021). Quantitative and qualitative approaches to generalization and replication–A representationalist view. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 605191. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.605191
Kumari, G. (2022, April 20). What is the difference between research problem and research question. Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms. https://www.differencebetween.com/what-is-the-difference-between-research-problem-and-research-question/
McLeod, S. (2019). Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research: Methods & Data Analysis. https://www.simplypsychology.org/qualitative-quantitative.html
Paul, J., & Criado, A. R. (2020). The Art of writing literature review: What do we know and what do we need to Know? International Business Review, 29(4), 101717. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2020.101717
Rahman, M. M., Tabash, M. I., Salamzadeh, A., Abduli, S., & Rahaman, M. S. (2022). Sampling techniques (probability) for quantitative social science researchers: a conceptual guideline with examples. Seeu Review, 17(1), 42-51. https://doi.org/10.2478/seeur-2022-0023