Which statement best describes quantitative research design?

• A. Qualitative: Descriptive data, explores experiences, themes
• B. Quantitative: Numeric data, measurable outcomes, statistical analysis
• C. Qualitative: Narrative case studies
• D. Quantitative: Uses ethnographic methods

Answer: (B)

Quantitative research design centers on collecting numeric data that can be measured and analyzed with statistics. The description that fits best is the one that emphasizes numeric data, measurable outcomes, and statistical analysis. Numeric data allow for precise measurement and enable hypothesis testing, comparison across groups, and the ability to generalize findings to a population when the sample is representative. This approach contrasts with qualitative descriptions, which focus on descriptive data, experiences, themes, or narrative case studies and ethnographic methods—tools used to gain deep, contextual understanding rather than numerical measurement. For example, using a structured questionnaire with numerical scales to quantify symptom severity and then applying statistical tests to compare groups illustrates a quantitative design.