Subsequent to the literature review and the established objectives, the research methodology is discussed in this chapter. This dissertation aims to investigate the acceptance level of solar panels for future usage among Chinese students at Hertfordshire, UK. The research is involved in both the traditional electricity supplement and solar panels of electricity supply. The research objective is focused on the motivation of students who are going to purchase solar panels for their houses in the future. This paper uses both primary research and secondary research. As Kothari (2004) claims, secondary data means data that are already available for the researcher to refer to and which have already been collected and analysed by other researchers and authors. Therefore, this chapter uses secondary data in its exploratory research. The following text will present the research question, research objectives, and selected types of research, research methods and the data collection approach (Kumar, 2011). The limitations of the research are considered as well.
3.1. Research types
Quantitative Research
As Kothari (2004) suggests, quantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount. It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity. To construct a research instrument in quantitative research, an individual list of all the specific objectives, research questions or hypotheses constitutes the first step. Then all the associated questions for the
Quantitative research is done to find the accurate facts by evaluating the problems like opinion, behaviour by using numerical data. This research is based on theories, hypothesis, collecting, analysing the data to make the research accurate.
According to Yin (2003), there are two types of research approach. This includes quantitative research approach and qualitative research approach. A quantitative research emphasizes on transforming the data to numbers, quantities and statistics to formulate facts and to uncover patterns in a research. It addresses research purposes through empirical analysis that involve numerical measurement, the relationship between variables and analysis approaches (Zikmund et al., 2010). The sample size being investigated is typically large (Anderson, 2006). Quantitative research mainly uses questionnaires, surveys and other equipment to collect numerical or measurable data (Anderson, 2006). On the other hand, a qualitative research typically emphasizes words more than numbers
Quantitative research is research that has been conducted for the purpose of obtaining the attitudes, behavior or performance of people in numerical form. It is designed to generate projectable numerical data about a topic.
A quantitative study has objective stances, logic, and numbers focusing on unchanging data and details (Babbie, E.R., 2010). The aim of quantitative research is to classify features, count the features, and construct statistical models to explain what was observed (McNabb, D.E., 2008). It has eight characteristics:
“Quantitative research involves numbers and measuring quantitative or amounts”. (Whitehouse, M, 2010:425). Methods that involve quantitative data may
In defining quantitative research the term can be dichotomized. Firstly, research refers to creative, systematic work with the intention to increase the knowledge of man and thereby devise new applications (OECD, 2002). In addition Gray (1997) stated that research should improve performance and that the results should be
Scientific method involves quantitative information. For example measuring changes in the body and analysing blood or urine samples. Body mass index is used to measure height and weight to distinguish whether an individual is a healthy weight.
Quantitative analysis involves the techniques by which researchers translate data into a numerical form and subject it to statistical analyses (Lesson 6 2017). I would design a quantitative research project by focusing on measurement. I will provide numerical statistics in support of my research. Lets say I am researching on the growth of the MS-13 gang. I will present numerically the growth or declination of the member attendance, crime rates, gang activities, etc. Then, with all the results, I will be able to form a conclusion on whether the gang has or has not grown over the years.
Randomized double-blind trial in which participants were assigned to either the placebo group or the study group by computer randomization, and the sucrose and placebo were placed in identical plastic syringes, preventing the
There are different ways in which researcher defines quantitative and qualitative research. Quantitative research is a social research that uses experimental methods, questionnaires, numerical data and explains observations usually in tables or charts from. Quantitative research can define the relationship between two or more studies.
In its purest definition, quantitative research focuses on a systematic and empirical approach to research based on statistical, mathematical and/or computational techniques. The overall objective
Quantitative research involves collecting data, which can be expressed numerically. The design is well structured with pre-determined outcomes. It frequently involves testing a hypothesis, which then can be analysed from the data deductively using statistical methods. Using numerical data is easier to analysis mathematical, so larger sample sizes can be utilised compared to qualitative research, therefore giving a better representative of the population; along with simplifying the process of making a generalisation. Another advantage is that studies can easily compare to similar findings (Kruger, 2003). The disadvantages are the results are limited and might not provide a proper understanding of the topic. Also, statistics and leading questions can be used to give a false representation of the data when summarising.
Quantitative research/data deals with numbers or being counted; it can be measured, for example: the height, area, weight cost, or speed, etc., - detailed statistics.
A quantitative approach is used to quantify the problem by way of generating numerical data or data that can be transformed into usable statistics. It is used to quantify attitudes, opinions, behaviors, and other defined variables – and generalize results from a larger sample population. Quantitative research relies on methods that measure in some way, perhaps through surveys or experiments. It aims to uncover correlations and causes, and it may rely on mathematically formulated models.
Quantitative research design is an excellent way of finalizing results and proving or disproving a hypothesis. The structure has not changed for centuries, so is standard across many scientific fields and disciplines. After statistical analysis of the results, a comprehensive answer is reached, and the results can be legitimately discussed and published. Quantitative experiments