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Common Statistical Techniques in Quantitative Research

A deep dive into common statistical techniques like correlation, regression, and chi-square tests, with real-world examples and visual outputs.

15-Minute Read
For Analysts
By Data Scientists
A screen showing statistical software output with charts and graphs.

Understanding which statistical test to use is a common challenge. This guide builds upon the concepts in our foundational Guide to Quantitative Research.

Statistical techniques are the engines of quantitative research, allowing you to move beyond simple averages to find meaningful patterns.

They provide a structured way to test relationships, make predictions, and draw conclusions with a known level of confidence.

This guide demystifies some of the most common techniques, showing you what they are and when to use them.

The Toolkit

Key Statistical Techniques

Each technique is designed to answer a different kind of question. Choosing the right one is the key to valid analysis.

Correlation Analysis
Measures the strength and direction of a relationship between two continuous variables.

Use Case:

"Is there a relationship between ad spend and website traffic?"

Regression Analysis
Models the relationship between a dependent variable and one or more independent variables to make predictions.

Use Case:

"How much does ad spend, email marketing, and social media engagement predict sales?"

T-Tests
Compares the means of two groups to determine if they are statistically different from each other.

Use Case:

"Is there a significant difference in purchase value between users who received offer A vs. offer B?"

Chi-Square Test
Determines if there is a significant association between two categorical variables.

Use Case:

"Is there a relationship between customer region and product category preference?"

Factor Analysis
A data reduction technique used to identify underlying variables or 'factors' from a larger set of variables.

Use Case:

"Can we reduce our 20-item customer satisfaction survey into 3 core factors like 'Service', 'Price', and 'Product'?"

In Practice

Visualizing the Techniques

Seeing these techniques in action makes them easier to understand.

Correlation: Ad Spend vs. Sales

This scatter plot shows a clear positive correlation: as ad spend increases, sales tend to increase as well.

Regression: Sales Trend

This line chart models the sales trend over time, allowing us to forecast future sales based on past performance.

Statistical Techniques FAQs

Common questions about applying statistical tests in market research.

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