3.1 What is Quantitative Research?

Quantitative research is a research method that uses numerical data and statistical analysis to study phenomena. ¹ Quantitative research plays an important role in scientific inquiry by providing a rigorous, objective, systematic process using numerical data to test relationships and examine cause-and-effect associations between variables. ^{1, 2} The goal is to make generalisations about a population (extrapolate findings from the sample to the general population). ² The data and variables are predetermined and measured as consistently and accurately as possible, and statistical analysis is used to evaluate the outcomes. ² Quantitative research is based on the scientific method, wherein deductive reductionist reasoning is used to formulate hypotheses about a particular phenomenon.