Which type of research focuses on numerical data and statistical analysis?

Quantitative research is characterized by its focus on numerical data and the application of statistical analysis. This type of research often involves measuring variables and analyzing the relationships between them using a statistical framework. By converting phenomena into numbers, quantitative research enables researchers to quantify behavior, opinions, or other variables and analyze them using various statistical techniques.

This approach is particularly useful in fields such as biomedical science where large sets of data can lead to significant insights into health trends, treatment efficacy, and other areas that require quantifiable evidence. By employing tools such as surveys, experiments, and observational studies that yield numerical results, researchers can draw conclusions that can often be generalized to a larger population, allowing for broader implications of the findings.

In contrast, the other research methods mentioned, such as qualitative research and ethnographic research, focus on non-numerical data and are more concerned with understanding deeper contextual or subjective experiences rather than quantifying them. Case study research also typically involves in-depth exploration of specific instances or cases rather than general statistical analysis.