Explaining Quantitative Research
Quantitative studies are objective; they test theory (deductive), involve the use of numbers, and produce findings that are meant to be generalizable--applied to other groups.
Dearholt, S. & Dang, D. (2012). Individual Research Studies. JOHNS HOPKINS NURSING EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE: MODEL AND GUIDELINES. Retrieved 2017 http://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/1935476769/ch0006s0090
To find articles that are more likely to describe quantitative research, look at the study types, study methods, or data analysis methods.
The following image provides examples of the types of terms you can look for.
The following is a sample search phrase you can add to your topic search to find Quantitative Research articles:
(Quantitative OR Positivistic OR Experimental OR Clinical Trial OR Randomized Control Trial OR Validity OR Intervention OR T-test OR ANOVA)
Copy and paste the terms above into the search box of your favorite database (maybe CINAHL or PubMed). Connect this term phrase with your search topic with AND.
Example: Caring AND (Quantitative OR Positivistic OR Experimental OR Clinical Trial OR Randomized Control Trial OR Validity OR Intervention OR T-test OR ANOVA OR Confidence Interval)
This system isn’t perfect. You’ll still need to look at the Methods and Data Analysis/Results sections of the articles you find to make sure you have a truly quantitative study.
In addition, there are many more terms you can use to help refine your search to include mostly quantitative articles. Think of the names of all the different types of statistical tests. Below are just a few:
((Pearson's R) OR Regression OR Mann-Whitey OR (Wilcox signed rank) OR Kruskal-Wallis)
Finally, check your article closely to see if you found a Mixed Methods study. These types of study include both quantitative and qualitative methods.
Quantitative Research: What to Look For
Setting: Lab or other controlled setting
Samples: Large, often with control groups, sometimes randomization and blinding
Data: Numeric data analyzed using statistical methods
Interventions: Predetermined, fixed variables
Examples: Quasi-experimental research, experimental research, randomized control trials, retrospective research, case-control study, control trial, cohort study, clinical trial
What to look for: Research question, hypothesis, intervention and variables, valid instrument (including surveys) to measure results, sample/control, data analysis/statistics