OVERVIEW OF THE RESEARCH PROCESS IN QUANTITATIVE STUDIES
MAJOR STEPS IN A QUANTITATIVE STUDY
-CONTRIBUTED BY ARYUS
PHASE 1: THE CONCEPTUAL PHASE
The early steps in quantitative research project typically involve activities with a strong conceptual or intellectual element .These activities include reading ,conceptualizing theorizing ,reconceptualizing, and reviewing ideas with colleagues or advisers. Step 1: Formulating and Delimiting the problem One of the first things a researcher must do is develop a research problem and research questions. Good research depends to a great degree on good questions. In developing a research question to be studied ,researchers must pay close attention to substantive issues (Is this research question significant, clinical issues (Could the findings from this research be useful in clinical practice?) and methodologic issues 9how can this question best be studied to yield high quality evidence?) Practical and ethical questions must also take into considerations. Step 2: Reviewing the related literature Quantitative researchers strive to understand what is already known about a research problem. A through literature review provides foundation on which to base new knowledge and usually is conducted well before any data are collected . For clinical problems ,it would likely also be necessary to learn as much as possible about the status quo of current procedures relating to the topic and to review existing practice guidelines or protocols. Step 3: Undertaking Clinical Field work: Researchers embarking on a clinical study benefit from spending time in clinical settings, disussing the topic with clinicans and health care administrators and observing current practices.Such clinical field work can provide perspectives on recent clinical trends ,current diagnostic procedures and relevant health delivery models. Step 4: Defining the framework and developing Conceptual Definations. Theory is the ultimate aim of science in that it transcends the specifics of a particular time, place, and group of people and aims to identify regularities in the relationships among variables. When quantitative research is performed within the context of theoretical framework the findings may have broader significance and utility. Step5: Formulating Hypothesis A hypothesis is a statement of the researcher’s expectation about relationship between the variables under investigations. In other words are predictions of expected outcomes, they state the relationships researcher’s expect to find as a result of the study.It is the predicted answer. PHASE 2:THE DESIGN AND PLANNING PHASE: In the second major phase , researcher’s make decisions about the methods and procedures to be used to address the research questions and plan for actual collection of data. Step 6:Selecting a research Design The research design is the overall plan for obtaining answers to the questions being studied and for handling some of the difficulties encountered during the research process.Researcher’s should specify which design will be adopted and what controls will be used to minimise bias and enhance the interpretability of results. Step7: Developing Protocols for the intervention In the experimental research ,researcher actively intervene and create the independent variable,which means that people will be exposed to different treatments or conditions.(not necessary in non experimental research) Step 8: Identifying the population to be studied Before selecting the subjects ,quantitative researchers know what characteristics participants should possess. They need to know to whom study results can be generalized. Thus during the planning phase they must identify the population to be studied. Step9
esigning the sampling plan Research studies almost always rely on a sample of subjects who are the subset of the population.Various methods of obtaining samples are available. The most sophisticated methods being probability sampling methods..The design of a sampling plan includes the selection of a sampling method ,the specification of the sample size and the development of procedures for recruiting subjects. Step 10: Specifying methods to measure the research variables Based on the conceptual definitions the researcher selects or designs appropriate methods of operationalizing the variables and collecting data. Quantitative approaches tend to be fairly structured ,involving use of a formal instrument that elicits the same information from every subjects.Sometimes they need to develop their own instuments or adapt measuring instruments that have been developed by others. Step 11: Developing methods for safeguarding human/animal rights Procedures need to be developed to ensure that the study adheres to ethical principles. Each aspect of the study plan needs to be reviewed to determine whether the rights of subjects havebeen adequately protected.Often that review involves a formal presentation to an external committee. Step 12: Finalizing and reviewing the research plan Before actually collecting research data ,they perform a number of tests to ensure that plans will work smoothly. If questionnaires are used ,it is important to know whether the respondents understand questions or find certain ones objectional ,this is usually referred to as pretesting the questionnaire. During the final study preparations, they also have to determine the type of training to provide to those responsible for collecting data .If researchers have concerns about their study plans, they make undertake a pilot study, which is a small version or trial run of the major study. Students conducting a study as part of a course or degree requirement have their plans reviewed by faculty advisers. PHASE 3 : THE EMPIRICAL PHASE It involves collecting research data and preparing those data for analysis. Step 13: Collecting the Data The actual collection of data often precedes acc to a preestablished plan. The researcher’s plan typically specifies procedures for the actual collection of data (eg where and when the data will be gathered ), for describing the study to participants ,and for recording information.A considerable amt of both clerical and administrative work is required during the data collection. Researcher’s typically must be sure, that participants are informed of the time and place that their presence may be required ,that the research personnel (such as interviewers) are conscientious in keeping their appointments, that schedules donot conflict ,and that a suitable system of maintaining confidentiality of information has been implemented. Step 14: Preparing the data for analysis After data are collected , a few preliminary activities must be performed before data analysis begins. For instance, it is normally necessary to look through questionnaires to determine if they are usable. Another step is to assign identification numbers to the responses or observations of different subjects if this was not done previously. Coding of the data is typically needed at this point. Coding involves the translation of verbal data into numeric form,acc to specialized plan. PHASE 4: THE ANALYTIC PHASE Quantiative data gathered in the empirical phase are not reported in raw form. They are subjected to analysis and interpretation. Step 15: Analyzing the data The data themselves donot provide answers to research questions. Data need to be processed and analyzed through statistical procedures. Step 16: Interpreting the results Before the results of a study can be communicated effectively ,.they must be systematically interpreted. Interpretation is the process of making sense of the results and of examining their implications. The process of interpretation begins begins with an attempt to explain the findings within the context of the theoretical framework ,prior empirical knowledge and clinical experience. If research hypothesis have been supported, an explanation of the results may be straightforwad because the findings fit into a previously conceived argument. If hypothesis are not supported ,they must explain why this might be so. PHASE 5: THE DISSEMINATION PHASE Researcher’s responsibilities are not complete until the study results are disseminated. Step 17: Communicating the findings A study cant contribute evidence to clinical practice if results are not communicated. Another and often final task of a research project , therefore is the preparation of a research report that can be shared with others. Research report can take various forms : term papers, dissertations, journal articles, presentations at professional conferences and so on. Step 18: Utilizing the findings in practice Ideally the concluding step of a high quality study is to plan for its utilization in practice settings. BEST OF LUCK ! KI KASO??
