Quantitative Definition and 75 Threads

Quantitative research is a research strategy that focuses on quantifying the collection and analysis of data. It is formed from a deductive approach where emphasis is placed on the testing of theory, shaped by empiricist and positivist philosophies.Associated with the natural, applied, formal, and social sciences this research strategy promotes the objective empirical investigation of observable phenomena to test and understand relationships. This is done through a range of quantifying methods and techniques, reflecting on its broad utilization as a research strategy across differing academic disciplines.The objective of quantitative research is to develop and employ mathematical models, theories, and hypotheses pertaining to phenomena. The process of measurement is central to quantitative research because it provides the fundamental connection between empirical observation and mathematical expression of quantitative relationships.
Quantitative data is any data that is in numerical form such as statistics, percentages, etc. The researcher analyses the data with the help of statistics and hopes the numbers will yield an unbiased result that can be generalized to some larger population. Qualitative research, on the other hand, inquires deeply into specific experiences, with the intention of describing and exploring meaning through text, narrative, or visual-based data, by developing themes exclusive to that set of participants.Quantitative research is widely used in psychology, economics, demography, sociology, marketing, community health, health & human development, gender studies, and political science; and less frequently in anthropology and history. Research in mathematical sciences, such as physics, is also "quantitative" by definition, though this use of the term differs in context. In the social sciences, the term relates to empirical methods originating in both philosophical positivism and the history of statistics, in contrast with qualitative research methods.
Qualitative research produces information only on the particular cases studied, and any more general conclusions are only hypotheses. Quantitative methods can be used to verify which of such hypotheses are true. A comprehensive analysis of 1274 articles published in the top two American sociology journals between 1935 and 2005 found that roughly two thirds of these articles used quantitative method.

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  1. A

    Math Information on Quantitative Researchers (or other quant jobs)

    Hello, I posted recently asking for information on a physics PhD. I am a second-year Data Science and Physics major at Northeastern University (My school has combined majors that are like double majors but cut a few classes out of each major). As I meant to indicate in the previous post, I am...
  2. C

    Quantitative reasoning problem

  3. M

    Admissions Switching from grad quantitative psych to physics: is it possible?

    Hi everyone. I'm currently a 3rd year quantitative/mathematical/cognitive psychology graduate student in a PhD program finishing my masters after this semester. In it, I'm using the mathematics of quantum mechanics to model cognitive phenomena. I was accepted into a physics PhD program as an...
  4. Mikkel

    Job Skills Preparing for a career as quantitative analytist

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  5. anorlunda

    Animated Display of Quantitative Information

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  6. T

    I Is simulation considered a type of quantitative analysis?

    Hello, I've been asked to talk about a time where I have used quantitative analysis. I once used simulation of the solar system to find out more about things like close approaches, and Gladmans criteria I was wondering if simulation is considered a quantitative method of analysis and if the...
  7. G

    Quantitative analysis -- manufacturing Furfural from bagasse

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  8. Q

    How Does Refractive Index Variation Affect Mirage Visibility in a Desert?

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  9. S

    Subforum for quantitative and mathematical economics?

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  10. phys-student

    Why can't quantitative values be computed using DSC-MRI?

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  11. jerromyjon

    ATP energy "quantitative" output?

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  12. B

    List of quantitative methods for optimization

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  13. Dishsoap

    Is the Quantitative Part of LoRs a Major Factor in Graduate School Applications?

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  14. J

    Best background for computational and quantitative biology

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  15. J

    Which of these PhD is better for financial quant industry?

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  16. C

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  17. D

    Any economical quantitative electrostatics experiment?

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  18. N

    Got a job as a quant, want to get back to physics

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  19. E

    Schools Master in Quantitative Finance before going to physics Grad School?

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  20. S

    Impossible to get a 'quantitative' job with *just* BA in math?

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  21. M

    MHB Can Training Reduce Workplace Offensiveness?

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  22. F

    Quantitative Meaning of Ricci Tensor

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  23. R

    Quantitative observations of Pandora cluster

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  24. U

    Quantitative finance internships for rising seniors?

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  25. H

    Is there a quantitative measure for the nonlinearity of PDEs?

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  26. X

    Quick quantitative analysis problem

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  27. marcus

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  28. L

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  29. E

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  30. W

    Quantitative way to compare theoretical values to experimental values

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  31. Q

    Quantitative Measurements for the Higgs Boson

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  32. 1

    What Quantitative Roles Exist in Finance?

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  33. D

    News [Economy] Federal Reserve announces new round of quantitative easing

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  34. A

    Is Time just a quantitative description for fastness or slowness of motion?

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  35. S

    Quantitative modeling in social science vs natural science

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  36. M

    What is the difference between Zeno's paradox and the theory of limits?

    The difference between the number 0 and 1 is 1. So is the difference between 3 and 4. Proposition: The difference between 0 and 1 is much larger than the difference between 3 and 4. That is because regardless of how many decimal places you go to in the calculations, there is a...
  37. L

    Quantitative risk management exercises?

    I have an upcoming written exam in a class on quantitative risk management (in the style of Quantitative Risk Management: Concepts, Techniques, and Tools by McNeil, Frey & Embrechts), covering concepts such as: - risk factors and loss distributions (conditional and unconditional) - mapping of...
  38. P

    Quantitative centripetal force apparatus-free body diagram

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  39. L

    Quantitative Analyst physics job

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  40. T

    Is mathematics only used with quantitative data?

    Can mathematics only be applied when there are numbers involved? I know there are mathematics branches like mathematical logic that doesn't deal with numbers, but do those areas have applications outside of mathematics?
  41. B

    Quantitative Finance: closest thing to go back to Science for business student?

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  42. L

    Minimum Salary with a Degree in Natural/Physical Science: What's the Standard?

    I've been reading through posts about the jobs with degree in natural/physical science. And the common statement is that, if money is your biggest concern, you should not go for phd in these subjects. What is the minimum salary per year that one earns if he concerns money is the most...
  43. D

    Quantitative analytics experience question on job appilcation

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  44. Z

    Preparing for a Career in Quantitative Finance: What to Do in 2 Years

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  45. R

    Quantitative Test Woes: 3 Questions Left, How Many Points Did I Lose?

    So i took the test today and did personally well in the quantitative section...680...but i ran out of time with 3 questions left when i did the 28 question section. How many points do you think that cost me and do you think it would have been better to randomly select answers?
  46. C

    Question on quantitative analysis preparation

    I am supposed to take a quant analysis course this summer but it has been awhile since I took chem I & II. How much of the general chem courses carry over and what should I focus on as I attempt to review prior to this course? Thanks!
  47. B

    Quantitative Anaylsis in Business (Problems)

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  48. L

    Quantitative analysis (social science) ideas

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  49. C

    Quantitative Predictions from Higher Math? Relativity, Quantum Field, String

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  50. D

    What Is It Like to Work as a Quant?

    I like to keep my options open. I'm doing a combined BA/MA in mathematics right now, and hope to go on to get a PhD. That being said, I think a lot about how I will make my living. Of course, I'd love to have a great Professorship at a great university and do groundbreaking research, but the...
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