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Statistics: Finding and Using Quantitative Research

This Guide is designed to help students locate and evaluate information related to Probability and Statistics. It is designed to complement MAT 131 & MAT 222.

Structure of Quantitative Research

Research articles will often include the following headings to orient the reader:

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methodology
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Conclusion

Quantitative research articles often include graphs, charts, and tables to help the reader to visualize the data. They may also include appendices for forms, questionnaires, or other relevant material used in the study.

Looking for headings, visuals, and appendices can be a quick way to assess the research to see if it is quantitative. 

A keyword search on the homepage is one place to start your research. Click here on the Library homepage to begin. Try a search for "quantitative AND" followed by a topic of your choosing (see the example search below): 

Quantitative AND Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

 

Searching Tips

  • Connecting the alternative terms with OR tells the database to search for any of these terms.

    • Example: Quantitative AND Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder OR PTSD

  • Using the asterisk (*) truncates the search. The database will search for the part of the word you typed before the asterisk, along with any possible endings of the word.

    • Using statistic* tells the database to search for statistics, statistical, etc.

    • Example: Quantitative AND statistic* 

  • Many articles and dissertations will include methodological terms in the abstract or title. To ensure you have an example of your methodology, look at the methodology section in the full text. This will provide detailed information about the methodology used.
     
  • Some methodologies are rarely used for certain research topics. You may need to broaden your search topic to find a study that uses your methodology.

 

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