Scientific Methods of Quantitative Research: Epistemological Foundations, Methodological Strategies, and Applications for the Study of Social Phenomena

Abstract

Quantitative research represents one of the most robust methodological approaches for the production of scientific knowledge, as it provides systematic procedures for measuring, analyzing, and objectively explaining social phenomena through the use of numerical data and statistical techniques. The objective of this study was to analyze the scientific foundations, methodological characteristics, and fields of application of the experimental, correlational, and descriptive quantitative methods, highlighting their contribution to the production of objective knowledge within the Social Sciences. Methodologically, the study was conducted within the interpretive paradigm using a qualitative approach, employing a literature review, the development of a theoretical framework, and the hermeneutic method to critically examine the principal contributions of the specialized literature. The findings indicate that each method serves a distinct research purpose: the experimental method establishes cause-and-effect relationships; the correlational method identifies statistical associations among variables; and the descriptive quantitative method characterizes populations and phenomena through quantifiable information. It is concluded that these methods possess distinct yet complementary scientific foundations and that their appropriate selection depends on the nature of the research problem, the objectives of the study, and the type of evidence required. As a contribution to knowledge, this study integrates the epistemological foundations, methodological strategies, and applications of the principal quantitative research methods into a single analytical framework, offering a comprehensive perspective that strengthens research training and promotes their rigorous application in the study of social phenomena.