Quantitative research design, also described as empiricism and positivism is the frequent type of research design for evidence-based practice. Quantitative research gathers data in an organized, systematic, and controlled way, so that the data can be generalized and used in other situations. Quantitative research is objective, conventional and follows a systematic process to gather data which is used to measure phenomena. Quantitative research examines cause and effect relationships.
Quantitative design research may consist of the following:
Experimental- control groups
Descriptive- examines characteristics of a certain group
Correlational - relationship between two or more variables
Quasi-experimental (casual comparative) – lack randomization and may not include a control group
Quantitative research answers, why, where, who, when and how questions. The researcher must provide what is the purpose of study (why), and where is the study to be completed (where) and specify the participants of the study (who), and (what) type of data is to be collected, and (how) the data is going to be compiled.
Control is important in quantitative research. In order to control the study, all variables must be understood. In quantitative research there are dependent and independent variables. The independent variable is the experiment; treatment or intervention that influences the dependent variable.
In quantitative research it is important to manipulate, control and randomization the extraneous variables so that the study will provide internal validity at the beginning of the study. The outcome of the study provides confidence that the results are influenced by the intervention, not by other variables.
For more in depth information about quantitative research please refer to the following references:
Boswell, C., & Cannon, S. (2018). Introduction to nursing research. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Carr, L. T. (1994). The strengths and weaknesses of quantitative and qualitative research: what method for nursing?. Journal of advanced nursing, 20(4), 716-721.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1046/j.1365-2648.1994.20040716.x