First and most obvious, you can determine the statistical relationships between variables–something that is not possible in qualitative research, with its focus on perceptions and experiences of phenomena, rather than the phenomena itself. Second, numerical data are comparatively easy to analyze (as opposed to qualitative data), you are not limited in your sample size. This allows you to use large samples of randomly selected participants, which in turn allows you to confidently generalize the results from your statistical analysis to the broader population this sample represents.
At Flippy Campus, we provide targeted statistical consulting to help you develop and address the following areas of your quantitative methodology section (as they apply to your study):
- Definitions of your variables
- Creation of research questions and testable hypotheses
- Discussion of survey instrument or archival dataset
- A statistical analysis plan which lays out the precise methods and tests that will be performed for the study
- Validity and reliability of your constructs
- Power analysis to determine the optimal/required sample size
