Question

Which of the following is true of quantitative research?

A. The data is not extracted from a large consumer base.
B. Focus groups and in-depth interviews are examples of quantitative research.
C. It is statistically accurate and less open to interpretation.
D. Quantitative research is not a costly method to collect data.

Answer 1

Quantitative research is statistically accurate and less open to interpretation. It involves the collection of data in numerical form that can be statistically analyzed, in contrast to qualitative research which focuses on subjective, descriptive data.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the options provided regarding quantitative research, the true statement is: C. It is statistically accurate and less open to interpretation. Quantitative research collects data in numerical form through closed-ended questions such as yes-or-no or multiple-choice questions on a questionnaire. This data can be quantified and is amenable to statistical analysis, which offers findings that are less subjective compared to qualitative data. In contrast, focus groups and in-depth interviews typically gather qualitative data, aimed at understanding human behavior through detailed, subjective explanations and discussions.

Surveys, a common tool in quantitative research, can sometimes collect both quantitative and qualitative data; however, the quantitative aspect is what provides the statistical rigor and less interpretative ambiguity. When considering the appropriateness of research methods, it is essential to match the method to the research question, as different types of questions require different types of data.