What type of logic does quantitative research primarily employ?

Quantitative research primarily employs deductive logic, which is a systematic approach that begins with a general theory or hypothesis and then tests it through specific observations or experiments. This process typically follows a structure where researchers deduce expectations based on existing theories and then gather quantitative data to either confirm or refute the hypothesis.

In this context, deductive reasoning allows researchers to start with a theoretical framework, develop clear operational definitions, and use statistical methods to analyze numerical data. The emphasis on testing predetermined hypotheses is fundamental in quantitative research, which contrasts with other forms of logic that may not provide the same structured framework for validation.

For example, intuitive logic relies on personal insights or gut feelings rather than formal hypotheses, while inductive logic involves generating general principles from specific observations, which is more characteristic of qualitative research. Causal logic, while related to understanding relationships and inferring cause-and-effect, does not fully capture the essence of the deductive approach used in quantitative research, which requires a more structured method of hypothesis testing.