Here are some techniques to collect data in quantitative research:
| Surveys or questionnaires |
These ask the same questions to large numbers of participants. You can use Likert scales which measures opinions as well as providing numerical data. Likert scales are a widely used questionnaire format developed by R. Likert. Respondents are given statements and asked to respond by saying whether they “strongly agree,” “agree,” “disagree,” or “strongly disagree.” Wording varies considerably; for example, people might be asked if they “totally approve,” “approve somewhat,” and so on. (Definition from Sage Research Methods). |
| Observations | This involves counting the number of times a specific phenomenon occurs, or more detailed coding of observational data in order to translate it into numbers for further analysis. |
| Document screening | This involves sourcing numerical data from such things as reports or counting word occurrences in textual analysis. It could involve in looking at recorded rates of a variable that are available online. |
| Experiments |
Testing hypothesis to establish cause and effect relationships. These could be laboratory tests, field experiments or quasi experiments. |