Which of the following is a method used in quantitative research?

The method that stands out in the context of quantitative research is descriptive analysis of data. This approach involves summarizing and presenting data in a way that highlights patterns, trends, and relationships through numerical and statistical means. Descriptive analysis can include various techniques such as calculating means, medians, modes, frequencies, and standard deviations. It serves as a foundational step in quantitative research, allowing researchers to make sense of large amounts of numerical data.

In contrast, the other methods mentioned do not align with quantitative research paradigms. Interviewing participants for their perceptions, phenomenological observations, and contextual interviews are predominantly qualitative approaches that focus on understanding human experiences, perceptions, and contexts rather than quantifiable data. Quantitative research prioritizes objectivity and structured methodologies to derive measurable insights, making descriptive analysis a crucial technique in this field.