Quantitative psychology is a field of scientific study that focuses on the mathematical modeling, research design and methodology, and statistical analysis of psychological processes. It includes tests and other devices for measuring cognitive abilities. In a nutshell, it is the study of techniques and methods that help measure human attributes, such as learning and knowledge.

Some of the institutional uses to which quantitative psychology is applied are in determining the impact of programs (such as educational curriculum, educational practices, policies surrounding education, cultural assimilation, etc.) at the federal, state, and local government levels. Through quantitative psychology and research, administrators and policymakers are able to identify problems and improve on systems and solutions meant to improve outcomes. Quantitative psychologists serve as experts in measurement, statistics, research methodology, and program evaluation at research centers at major universities and colleges across nations such as the United States.

Research can be divided into two distinct methodologies: qualitative and quantitative research. Both methodologies offer important insights, and it would be prudent to consider both methodologies for the most accurate data analyses.

Education research often relies on the quantitative methodology: the most obvious presents as test results or scores. Quantitative research in education provides numerical data that can prove or disprove a theory, identify the problem(s) in the educational policy, curriculum, and/or practice, and ergo provide administrators with number-based results (per grade level, with year-on-year comparisons, compared to other schools and districts–the list goes on). The field of quantitative psychology is important to the world of psychology. As the principles and practices of quantitative psychology are implemented, researchers and the general public can gain more information regarding how to optimize human productivity and happiness by analyzing and modifying the attitudes and actions precipitated by the mind–including policies surrounding education, its curriculum, and its practices.

And while it’s true that numbers never lie, the problem with relying solely on quantitative methods is that quantitative tests and experiments do not take place in natural settings. In addition, they do not allow participants to explain their choices or the meaning of the questions they may have for those participants (Carr, 1994). In short, we are unable to derive the context, condition, or state in which the test-taker is at the time of the assessment or experiment. Qualitative data, which may be obtained through interviews, oral presentations, focus group discussions, case studies, and ethnography, may consider a variety of factors, such as facial expressions, verbal responses, and body language.

The videos in this module shared research on the reclassification of English proficiency learners. If the researchers were to aim to produce findings that reveal how best to encourage English proficiency in students (and not just assess how many are fluent and would thus pass and eventually graduate from school), the study would benefit from a mixed-methods approach (using both quantitative and qualitative psychology). I suggest proceeding with the English proficiency tests that are already in practice at school, but also conducting close surveillance of students in two groups: the reclassified and those that are considered ESL learners. The research team could engage in case studies (mix of focus group discussions, individual interviews, and ethnographic considerations) to ultimately determine which language-learning techniques and teaching practices students find most helpful in order to achieve success (improved English proficiency, graduation, and professional success)--which obviously will benefit students, teachers, and communities in the long-run.

Resources:

https://www.bestpsychologydegrees.com/faq/what-is-quantitative-psychology/

https://www.apa.org/education-career/guide/subfields/quantitative

https://www.simplypsychology.org/qualitative-quantitative.html

https://soeonline.american.edu/blog/qualitative-vs-quantitative/