A Quick Guide to Quantitative Research in the Social Sciences

Reviewed by Sarah Capello, Assistant Professor, Radford University on 1/18/22

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

The text claims to provide "quick and simple advice on quantitative aspects of research in social sciences," which it does. There is no index or glossary, although vocabulary words are bolded and defined throughout the text.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

The content is mostly accurate. I would have preferred a few nuances to be hashed out a bit further to avoid potential reader confusion or misunderstanding of the concepts presented.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

The content is current; however, some of the references cited in the text are outdated. Newer editions of those texts exist.

Clarity rating: 5

The text is very accessible and readable for a variety of audiences. Key terms are well-defined.

Consistency rating: 5

There are no content discrepancies within the text. The author even uses similarly shaped graphics for recurring purposes throughout the text (e.g., arrow call outs for further reading, rectangle call outs for examples).

Modularity rating: 5

The content is chunked nicely by topics and sections. If it were used for a course, it would be easy to assign different sections of the text for homework, etc. without confusing the reader if the instructor chose to present the content in a different order.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The author follows the structure of the research process. The organization of the text is easy to follow and comprehend.

Interface rating: 5

All of the supplementary images (e.g., tables and figures) were beneficial to the reader and enhanced the text.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

There are no significant grammatical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

I did not find any culturally offensive or insensitive references in the text.

Comments

This text does the difficult job of introducing the complicated concepts and processes of quantitative research in a quick and easy reference guide fairly well. I would not depend solely on this text to teach students about quantitative research, but it could be a good jumping off point for those who have no prior knowledge on this subject or those who need a gentle introduction before diving in to more advanced and complex readings of quantitative research methods.

Reviewed by J. Marlie Henry, Adjunct Faculty, University of Saint Francis on 12/9/21

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

Considering the length of this guide, this does a good job of addressing major areas that typically need to be addressed. There is a contents section. The guide does seem to be organized accordingly with appropriate alignment and logical flow of thought. There is no glossary but, for a guide of this length, a glossary does not seem like it would enhance the guide significantly.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

The content is relatively accurate. Expanding the content a bit more or explaining that the methods and designs presented are not entirely inclusive would help. As there are different schools of thought regarding what should/should not be included in terms of these designs and methods, simply bringing attention to that and explaining a bit more would help.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 3

This content needs to be updated. Most of the sources cited are seven or more years old. Even more, it would be helpful to see more currently relevant examples. Some of the source authors such as Andy Field provide very interesting and dynamic instruction in general, but they have much more current information available.

Clarity rating: 5

The language used is clear and appropriate. Unnecessary jargon is not used. The intent is clear- to communicate simply in a straightforward manner.

Consistency rating: 5

The guide seems to be internally consistent in terms of terminology and framework. There do not seem to be issues in this area. Terminology is internally consistent.

Modularity rating: 5

For a guide of this length, the author structured this logically into sections. This guide could be adopted in whole or by section with limited modifications. Courses with fewer than seven modules could also logically group some of the sections.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

This guide does present with logical organization. The topics presented are conceptually sequenced in a manner that helps learners build logically on prior conceptualization. This also provides a simple conceptual framework for instructors to guide learners through the process.

Interface rating: 4

The visuals themselves are simple, but they are clear and understandable without distracting the learner. The purpose is clear- that of learning rather than visuals for the sake of visuals. Likewise, navigation is clear and without issues beyond a broken link (the last source noted in the references).

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

This guide seems to be free of grammatical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

It would be interesting to see more cultural integration in a guide of this nature, but the guide is not culturally insensitive or offensive in any way. The language used seems to be consistent with APA's guidelines for unbiased language.

Reviewed by Heng Yu-Ku, Professor, University of Northern Colorado on 5/13/21

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

The text covers all areas and ideas appropriately and provides practical tables, charts, and examples throughout the text. I would suggest the author also provides a complete research proposal at the end of Section 3 (page 10) and a comprehensive research study as an Appendix after section 7 (page 26) to help readers comprehend information better.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

For the most part, the content is accurate and unbiased. However, the author only includes four types of research designs used on the social sciences that contain quantitative elements: 1. Mixed method, 2) Case study, 3) Quasi-experiment, and 3) Action research. I wonder why the correlational research is not included as another type of quantitative research design as it has been introduced and emphasized in section 6 by the author.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

I believe the content is up-to-date and that necessary updates will be relatively easy and straightforward to implement.

Clarity rating: 4

The text is easy to read and provides adequate context for any technical terminology used. However, the author could provide more detailed information about estimating the minimum sample size but not just refer the readers to use the online sample calculators at a different website.

Consistency rating: 5

The text is internally consistent in terms of terminology and framework. The author provides the right amount of information with additional information or resources for the readers.

Modularity rating: 5

The text includes seven sections. Therefore, it is easier for the instructor to allocate or divide the content into different weeks of instruction within the course.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

Yes, the topics in the text are presented in a logical and clear fashion. The author provides clear and precise terminologies, summarizes important content in Table or Figure forms, and offers examples in each section for readers to check their understanding.

Interface rating: 4

The interface of the book is consistent and clear, and all the images and charts provided in the book are appropriate. However, I did encounter some navigation problems as a couple of links are not working or requires permission to access those (pages 10 and 27).

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

No grammatical errors were found.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

No culturally incentive or offensive in its language and the examples provided were found.

Comments

As the book title stated, this book provides “A Quick Guide to Quantitative Research in Social Science. It offers easy-to-read information and introduces the readers to the research process, such as research questions, research paradigms, research process, research designs, research methods, data collection, data analysis, and data discussion. However, some links are not working or need permissions to access them (pages 10 and 27).

Reviewed by Hsiao-Chin Kuo, Assistant Professor, Northeastern Illinois University on 4/26/21, updated 4/28/21

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

As a quick guide, it covers basic concepts related to quantitative research. It starts with WHY quantitative research with regard to asking research questions and considering research paradigms, then provides an overview of research design and process, discusses methods, data collection and analysis, and ends with writing a research report. It also identifies its target readers/users as those begins to explore quantitative research. It would be helpful to include more examples for readers/users who are new to quantitative research.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

Its content is mostly accurate and no bias given its nature as a quick guide. Yet, it is also quite simplified, such as its explanations of mixed methods, case study, quasi-experimental research, and action research. It provides resources for extended reading, yet more recent works will be helpful.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

The book is relevant given its nature as a quick guide. It would be helpful to provide more recent works in its resources for extended reading, such as the section for Survey Research (p. 12). It would also be helpful to include more information to introduce common tools and software for statistical analysis.

Clarity rating: 5

The book is written with clear and understandable language. Important terms and concepts are presented with plain explanations and examples. Figures and tables are also presented to support its clarity. For example, Table 4 (p. 20) gives an easy-to-follow overview of different statistical tests.

Consistency rating: 5

The framework is very consistent with key points, further explanations, examples, and resources for extended reading. The sample studies are presented following the layout of the content, such as research questions, design and methods, and analysis. These examples help reinforce readers' understanding of these common research elements.

Modularity rating: 4

The book is divided into seven chapters. Each chapter clearly discusses an aspect of quantitative research. It can be easily divided into modules for a class or for a theme in a research method class. Chapters are short and provides additional resources for extended reading.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The topics in the chapters are presented in a logical and clear structure. It is easy to follow to a degree. Though, it would be also helpful to include the chapter number and title in the header next to its page number.

Interface rating: 4

The text is easy to navigate. Most of the figures and tables are displayed clearly. Yet, there are several sections with empty space that is a bit confusing in the beginning. Again, it can be helpful to include the chapter number/title next to its page number.

Grammatical Errors rating: 4

No major grammatical errors were found.

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

There are no cultural insensitivities noted.

Comments

Given the nature and purpose of this book, as a quick guide, it provides readers a quick reference for important concepts and terms related to quantitative research. Because this book is quite short (27 pages), it can be used as an overview/preview about quantitative research. Teacher's facilitation/input and extended readings will be needed for a deeper learning and discussion about aspects of quantitative research.

Reviewed by Yang Cheng, Assistant Professor, North Carolina State University on 1/6/21

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

It covers the most important topics such as research progress, resources, measurement, and analysis of the data.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

The book accurately describes the types of research methods such as mixed-method, quasi-experiment, and case study. It talks about the research proposal and key differences between statistical analyses as well.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

The book pinpointed the significance of running a quantitative research method and its relevance to the field of social science.

Clarity rating: 4

The book clearly tells us the differences between types of quantitative methods and the steps of running quantitative research for students.

Consistency rating: 4

The book is consistent in terms of terminologies such as research methods or types of statistical analysis.

Modularity rating: 4

It addresses the headlines and subheadlines very well and each subheading should be necessary for readers.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 4

The book was organized very well to illustrate the topic of quantitative methods in the field of social science.

Interface rating: 4

The pictures within the book could be further developed to describe the key concepts vividly.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

The textbook contains no grammatical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

It is not culturally offensive in any way.

Comments

Overall, this is a simple and quick guide for this important topic. It should be valuable for undergraduate students who would like to learn more about research methods.

Reviewed by Pierre Lu, Associate Professor, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on 11/20/20

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

As a quick guide to quantitative research in social sciences, the text covers most ideas and areas.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

Mostly accurate content.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

As a quick guide, content is highly relevant.

Clarity rating: 4

Succinct and clear.

Consistency rating: 4

Internally, the text is consistent in terms of terminology used.

Modularity rating: 5

The text is easily and readily divisible into smaller sections that can be used as assignments.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 4

I like that there are examples throughout the book.

Interface rating: 5

Easy to read. No interface/ navigation problems.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

No grammatical errors detected.

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

I am not aware of the culturally insensitive description. After all, this is a methodology book.

Comments

I think the book has potential to be adopted as a foundation for quantitative research courses, or as a review in the first weeks in advanced quantitative course.

Reviewed by Sarah Fischer, Assistant Professor, Marymount University on 7/31/20

Comprehensiveness rating: 3 see less

It is meant to be an overview, but it incredibly condensed and spends almost no time on key elements of statistics (such as what makes research generalizable, or what leads to research NOT being generalizable).

Content Accuracy rating: 1

Contains VERY significant errors, such as saying that one can "accept" a hypothesis. (One of the key aspect of hypothesis testing is that one either rejects or fails to reject a hypothesis, but NEVER accepts a hypothesis.)

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

Very relevant to those experiencing the research process for the first time. However, it is written by someone working in the natural sciences but is a text for social sciences. This does not explain the errors, but does explain why sometimes the author assumes things about the readers ("hail from more subjectivist territory") that are likely not true.

Clarity rating: 3

Some statistical terminology not explained clearly (or accurately), although the author has made attempts to do both.

Consistency rating: 5

Very consistently laid out.

Modularity rating: 5

Chapters are very short yet also point readers to outside texts for additional information. Easy to follow.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

Generally logically organized.

Interface rating: 5

Easy to navigate, images clear. The additional sources included need to linked to.

Grammatical Errors rating: 4

Minor grammatical and usage errors throughout the text.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

Makes efforts to be inclusive.

Comments

The idea of this book is strong--short guides like this are needed. However, this book would likely be strengthened by a revision to reduce inaccuracies and improve the definitions and technical explanations of statistical concepts. Since the book is specifically aimed at the social sciences, it would also improve the text to have more examples that are based in the social sciences (rather than the health sciences or the arts).

Reviewed by Michelle Page, Assistant Professor, Worcester State University on 5/30/20

Comprehensiveness rating: 3 see less

This text is exactly intended to be what it says: A quick guide. A basic outline of quantitative research processes, akin to cliff notes. The content provides only the essentials of a research process and contains key terms. A student or new researcher would not be able to use this as a stand alone guide for quantitative pursuits without having a supplemental text that explains the steps in the process more comprehensively. The introduction does provide this caveat.

Content Accuracy rating: 3

There are no biases or errors that could be distinguished; however, it’s simplicity in content, although accurate for an outline of process, may lack a conveyance of the deeper meanings behind the specific processes explained about qualitative research.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

The content is outlined in traditional format to highlight quantitative considerations for formatting research foundational pieces. The resources/references used to point the reader to literature sources can be easily updated with future editions.

Clarity rating: 4

The jargon in the text is simple to follow and provides adequate context for its purpose. It is simplified for its intention as a guide which is appropriate.

Consistency rating: 5

Each section of the text follows a consistent flow. Explanation of the research content or concept is defined and then a connection to literature is provided to expand the readers understanding of the section’s content. Terminology is consistent with the qualitative process.

Modularity rating: 5

As an “outline” and guide, this text can be used to quickly identify the critical parts of the quantitative process. Although each section does not provide deeper content for meaningful use as a stand alone text, it’s utility would be excellent as a reference for a course and can be used as an content guide for specific research courses.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The text’s outline and content are aligned and are in a logical flow in terms of the research considerations for quantitative research.

Interface rating: 4

The only issue that the format was not able to provide was linkable articles. These would have to be cut and pasted into a browser. Functional clickable links in a text are very successful at leading the reader to the supplemental material.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

No grammatical errors were noted.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

There are no cultural insensitivities noted.

Comments

This is a very good outline “guide” to help a new or student researcher to demystify the quantitative process. A successful outline of any process helps to guide work in a logical and systematic way. I think this simple guide is a great adjunct to more substantial research context.