Risk Assessment: Tools, Techniques, and Their Applications

16.2 Quantitative

Quantitative research is the opposite of qualitative research. A hypothesis is generated that needs to be proved or disproved usually through statistical and mathematical means. Randomize the study groups and where you can, include a control group. You should only manipulate one variable at a time to keep the analysis less complex. The research should be able to be conducted again and receive similar results. Quantitative research works well with qualitative research and after the facts and the data have been collected.

Quantitative research usually involves numbers that can be statistically analyzed to achieve the results. Hard sciences use quantitative research to answer specific answers. There are four types of quantitative research methods:

1. Descriptive involves collecting data to answer questions or test a hypothesis.

2. Correlational tries to determine whether there is a relationship between two or more quantifiable variables. There is no cause and effect relationship, only a correlation coefficient number between 0.00 and 1.00.

3. Cause–comparative establishes a cause and effect relationship and compares the relationship without manipulating the cause.

4. Experimental again establishes a cause and effect relationship but this time during the comparison the cause is manipulated. In experimental, the cause or independent variable makes the difference and the effect is dependent on the independent variable (10).

Figure 16.1 illustrates the steps followed ...