Overview of the Study: This study looked at how sleep affects teenagers’ brain development and thinking skills. To compare results, the researchers analyzed over 3,000 adolescents. Research proved that teenagers who go to bed earlier and sleep longer tend to have better cognitive abilities like reading and problem solving, and also have a larger brain volume and better brain function. Overall, the study shows that sleep habits are linked to brain performance in teenagers.

Research Methodology: During this study, researchers used brain scans, cognitive tests and sleep tracking devices (specifically Fitbit) which is scientific, data based research. 

Qualitative or Quantitative: This study is a quantitative study because the researchers are basing their findings off of numerical data that came from brain measurements, test scores and sleep duration, and involves a very large sample size of more than 3,000 adolescents. The research study looks at the statistical relationships between sleep and brain function. 

2)      What research methodology was used? The research methodology used was a survey.

3)      Qualitative or quantitative and why? This is quantitative research because it relied on a survey which is Positivist method.

Link:

About 1/3 of Canadians are obese, and researchers saw a steeper increase during the pandemic | CBC News

link:

https://animaljustice.ca/blog/2024-animal-testing-data-reveals-alarming-growth-suffering

The article talks about the effects of smart phone use on children under the age of 13. Researchers found that kids who used smartphones before age 13 were most likely to experience mental health problems such as lower self worth, emotional difficulties, sleep distribution, anxiety and suicidal thought. The study also stated that the early use of phones exposed children to cyberbullying and unhealthy social media experiences. 

2) what research methodology was used by the researcher

The researchers used a survey research methodology. They collected self-reported data from nearly 2 million people across 163 countries and analyzed the relationship between the age of children first receiving smartphones and later mental health outcomes. The researchers compared patterns in responses to identify trends and possible connections between early smart phone use and emotional well being. 

3) whether it is a qualitative or a quantitative study and why

This is a quantitative study because the researchers collected numerical data from the very large sample size and used statistical analysis to examine relationships between variables. The study focused on measurable outcomes, such as age of smartphone access and levels of mental health symptoms, rather than personal interviews or detailed experiences.

2) The research methodology used was a combination of surveys and observational findings using observation and statistics.

3) This article uses a quantitive study approach as it draws from numerical data and proven statistics throughout the article in attempt to example its thesis.

Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-94439-7

This study looked at whether semaglutide (ozempic) helps adults over 65 with obesity lose weight safely. Researchers found that people taking the drug lost about 15% of their body weight on average, much more than though taking a placebo, and they also had better heart and metabolic health. 

What research methodology was used by the researcher(s):

The methodology that was used by the researchers is randomized controlled trial analysis, specifically a secondary analysis of data from multiple placebo controlled clinical trials which was the STEP trials.

Whether it is a qualitative or quantitative study and why:

This would be considered to be a quantitative study because the researchers controlled and analyzed numerical data, such as body weight loss percentages.

Link:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260510234654.htm

The research examines gender differences in academic achievement and school engagement. Researchers wanted to understand why boys are more likely to struggle academically, disengage from school, drop out at higher rates, receive ADHD diagnoses, and attend university at lower rates than girls.

What was the research methodology that was used?

A: The methodology used in these studies was primarily based on statistical analysis of educational data, standardized test results, graduation and dropout rates, health and diagnostic records, and longitudinal observations of student outcomes over time. They proceeded to compare outcomes between boys and girls across different educational stages.

Is it qualitative or quantitative? Why?

This is mainly a quantitative study because it relies on measurable numerical data and analyzes statistical comparisons. While it uses numbers, percentages, and measurable trends to identify patterns and relationships, it also includes interviews and opinions from parents and educators which are qualitative elements, however the main research evidence discussed is quantitative. Examples from the article include dropout percentages (27.1% for boys vs. 19.9% for girls), French proficiency test scores, ADHD diagnosis rates (10.8% for boys, 5.9% for girls), university attendance percentages, and mental health survey statistics.

Link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/boys-falling-behind-in-school-9.7195214

2. What research methodology was used:
The researchers used a survey research method. Teenagers were asked questions about their sleep habits and how much time they spent using social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp. The researchers then compared the answers to identify patterns and relationships between social media use and sleep quality. 

3. Whether it is qualitative or quantitative and why:
This is a quantitative study because the researchers collected numerical data from a large group of participants. They measured things such as hours spent on social media, sleep times, and percentages of teens experiencing sleep problems, then analyzed the results statistically.

The methodology used by researchers was experimental design as they gathered a sample group of 104 participants who ranged from 65 - 75 years old, non-smoking, and ‘healthy’ within set parameters, then divided them into four groups. The dependent variable was their 20 biomarkers and the independent variable was the food they were consuming, each group was given dietary requirements for four weeks, at the beginning and end of the trial their biomarkers were measured and analyzed to determine if there is a correlation between diet and age. Researchers found that the participants that ate specifically a Omnivore High Carbohydrate diet saw the greatest reduction in their biological age.

This study was quantitative based on the numerical measurement of biomarkers, statistical analysis, and comparison of results between groups.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260511213144.htm

University of Sydney. (2026, May 12). Scientists reversed biological age in older adults with a 4-week diet change. ScienceDaily. Retrieved May 12, 2026 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260511213144.htm

The methodology used was an observational, longitudinal survey research method combined with laboratory analysis. They analyzed blood tests and survey data from 3,556 adults in the UK Household.

This research was a quantitative study. They used numerical data from blood tests and frequency measures of arts participation and applied statistical analysis to estimate how people aged if they regularly engage in arts/cultural activities.

Link: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/may/12/arts-cultural-engagement-linked-slower-pace-biological-ageing-ucl-research

Chioma E.

The study examined more than 150 longitudinal studies involving over 363,000 participants worldwide between the ages of 2 and 19. Researchers looked at different types of digital media use, including social media, video games, texting, and internet use, and compared them to developmental outcomes such as anxiety, depression, academic performance, self-esteem, and behavior. The findings showed that social media use was consistently linked to worse mental health outcomes, especially higher levels of depression and anxiety among adolescents.

The research methodology used was a meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. A meta-analysis means researchers combined and analyzed the results of many previous studies to identify overall patterns and trends. The studies were longitudinal because they followed the same participants over a period of time rather than only studying them at one moment.

This is mainly a quantitative study because it focused on measurable numerical data and statistical analysis. The researchers analyzed data from hundreds of thousands of participants and measured variables such as rates of depression, anxiety, behavioral problems, and social media use. Since the study relies on statistics and numerical evidence rather than interviews or personal experiences, it is considered quantitative research.

Evelyn P.

The study was done to inquire about racial discrimination and racial profiling around black people and the Toronto Police Service.  The study was conducted to see, if black people in Toronto were disproportionately stopped, searched, charged and part of a use of force by the police.  Although, black people in Toronto make up 8.8% of the population; The Ontario Human Rights Commission analyzed 244 cases from 2013 to 2017 and 61.5 per % of police use-of-force cases resulting in civilian death were black.

2. What research methodology was used by the researchers?

The researcher used different types of methods. The first method was observational research because they analyze outcomes from real world policing. The second method analytical data from police reports, SIU investigations and court records. Thirdly, the researcher used consultations with the group that is the subject of the report.

3. Whether it is a qualitative or a quantitative and why?

The study was a mixture of quantitative and qualitative studies(mixed methods of research). The study used quantitative data from use of force reports, police shootings, arrest and charge data. The qualitative data used was public submissions, written testimonies and expert witnesses.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ohrc-interim-profiling-report-1.4939242

2) The research methodology used by the researchers would be the qualitative methodology known as ethnography. This is due to them observing these athletes as they compete in what is a normal activity to them and observing them as they participate in these activities.

3) While some aspects of the research can be quantitative such as measures of the body changing like in decrease levels of tissue regeneration, the study is overall qualitative as it's overall goal is to determine the bodies reaction in high intensity/stressful environments.

https://www.lboro.ac.uk/news-events/news/2026/may/endurance-athletes-reveal-human-survival/

The researchers used a quantitive research methodology. They collected data using brain scans, cognitive tests, Fitbit sleep tracking and health measurements from participants in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study. They then compared the results between groups of teenagers with difference sleep habits. This article showed a quantitive study because the researchers worked with numerical data and measurements. They analyzed statistics such as sleep duration, test scores, heart rates and brain imaging results instead of personal interviews and opinions.

• Frishta Yari

The research is very strictly one with a quantitative goal, as its aim is to calculate the appropriate statistics that accurately portray Canada’s current skilled immigration retention rates. Moreover, the study covers all criteria of a quantitative study in that it aims to be objective and relies on numerical data. As for the methods used, the article does not refer to them specifically, but the Institute for Canadian Citizenship’s report did mention using data from Statistics Canada’s Longitudinal Immigration Database concurrently with tax filling activity calculated through Statistic Canada’s T1 Family File. The use of this data identifies their method as secondary data analysis, meaning they interpret in a new perspective previously accumulated data. 

Here is the link to the referred study: https://forcitizenship.ca/blog/our-research/

A quantitative research methodology was utilized by the investigators. They employed statistical techniques to compare the original findings with replication results after analyzing numerical data from numerous previously published investigations. By using this method, they were able to find trends and gauge how often research might be effectively repeated.

Because it relies on quantifiable data, statistical analysis, and numerical comparisons rather than firsthand accounts or open-ended questions, this study is quantitative. To make judgments on the validity of scientific study, the researchers used data analysis and replication rates.

1.     What is the study about?
The article is about a survey that was conducted by Ipsos for Fierté Canada Pride.    The survey examined attitudes toward LGBTQ2S+ people in Canada, including:

• Levels of support for LGBTQ2S+ people in Canada.

• Whether Canadians consider themselves allies and which Canadians are more likely to be active allies. 

• Perceptions regarding discrimination faced by LGBTQ2S+ people in Canada and whether discrimination is increasing or decreasing.
  
  

2.     What research methodology was used by the researcher(s)?

The research methodology that was used was a quantitative survey that was conducted online to a sample of more than 1000 Canadian adults.  The survey used standardized questions and to keep the survey consistent with Canadian demographics, statistical weighting was used to account for demographic differences.  According to the article: “quotas and weighting were employed to ensure that the sample’s composition reflects that of the Canadian population according to census parameters” (Global News, 2023).

3.     Is it a qualitative or a quantitative study and why. 

This is a quantitative study because it uses numerical data and the responses are presented statistically.  Also, the study used close-ended questions that were standardized.  In a qualitative study, open-ended questions would have been used and possibly interviews or focus groups.    

2)     The methodology used was secondary data analysis. The article used data collected from multiple different sources, including Statistics Canada, Health Canada, and different testing results in the Quebec education system. This information was gathered and used to show the discrepancies between male and female education throughout the article.

3)     This is a quantitative study, as the information examined has to do with grades, averages, and percentages. This information is numerical and is used to show the discrepancies between the female and male student school outcomes, and experiences.

2. The research methodology used was an online survey for self-identifying LGBTQ+ young people ages 13 to 24 that lived in the U.S. The questionnaire was 171 questions and was targeted for a diverse amount of people from different parts of the U.S., gender identities, and ethnicities all within the aforementioned demographics.

3. It is a quantitative study because it uses numerical data from a large group of people (16,000) in an online survey. Then, they present the findings in a staticstical manner like fractions and percentages. Had the findings come from in-depth, focused methods such as interviews, discussions or case studies, the study could've been qualitative.

The study aimed to examine whether increased time on social media and gaming caused mental health problems such as depression and anxiety among teenagers. Researchers followed through 25,000 young people between the ages of 11 and 14 over three school years. The study revealed that increased use of social media did not directly cause mental health problems. Researchers concluded that teenagers experience online is more important than how much time they spend online.

2) what research methodology was used by the researcher(s),

Researchers used a longitudinal research methodology. Data was collected data from the same group of teenagers over a certain period and tracked changes in their metal health and social media use. Patterns over multiple years were compared to identify any existing relationship between screen time and emotional well-being.

3) whether it is a qualitative or a quantitative study and why.

This is a quantitative study because numerical data was collected from different participants and results were analyzed statistically. Variables such as hours spent on social media, gaming frequency, anxiety levels, and depression symptoms were measured.

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jan/14/social-media-time-does-not-increase-teenagers-mental-health-problems-study?utm_source

1) what the study was about,

The study aimed to examine whether increased time on social media and gaming caused mental health problems such as depression and anxiety among teenagers. Researchers followed through 25,000 young people between the ages of 11 and 14 over three school years. The study revealed that increased use of social media did not directly cause mental health problems. Researchers concluded that teenagers experience online is more important than how much time they spend online.

2) what research methodology was used by the researcher(s),

Researchers used a longitudinal research methodology. Data was collected data from the same group of teenagers over a certain period and tracked changes in their metal health and social media use. Patterns over multiple years were compared to identify any existing relationship between screen time and emotional well-being.

3) whether it is a qualitative or a quantitative study and why.

This is a quantitative study because numerical data was collected from different participants and results were analyzed statistically. Variables such as hours spent on social media, gaming frequency, anxiety levels, and depression symptoms were measured.

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jan/14/social-media-time-does-not-increase-teenagers-mental-health-problems-study?utm_source

1.     The article talks about how majority of individuals had focused on health advice with the same 6 things “Eat healthily, exercise, don’t smoke, and manage cholesterol, blood pressure and stress.” However, the article discusses a research study on how positive thinking and optimism may help lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and premature death. The article makes it clear that optimism doesn’t replace medication but might help improve “cardiovascular health” by having a more positive outlook on your situation. The researchers looked into multiple clinical trials involving adults with or at risk of heart diseases and studied if “positive psychology interventions” like gratitude exercises, mindfulness, and acts of kindness could improve health outcomes.

2.     I believe that the research methodology used would be considered a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. This means that the researchers collected multiple different results and analyzed them from more than one clinic, then went on with the experiment, where participants were assigned to treatment groups and control groups to compare outcomes.

3.     I would consider this a quantitative study due to the researchers using numerical data like the blood pressure measurements, or inflammation levels to help analyze the results statistically.

(in case the top link doesn't work)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2026/05/14/studies-link-optimism-better-heart-health-lower-risk-disease/

2) The researchers used an experiment as the methodology where the participants were given short written scenarios about a fictional person and then asked to rate them on things like personality and their willingness to spend time with them. The researchers only changed one thing which was how the person lost weight and kept everything else the same, therefore making it possible to see how drug based weight loss affected the way the participants judged them. However they also ran a second experiment looking at how the weight was regain after stopping medication.This added another layer to the overall findings of the study.

3) The study is quantitative because it uses numbers and follows a positivist approach. The participants responded on a seven point scale and the results were compared statistically, therefore all the data collected was numerical which is what makes it a quantitative study. However what I find most interesting is that even though the data is numbers the topic is very sociological because it is about stigma, judgment and social norms around the body which are things we have been learning about in this course

Callum Fohshow

References:

Gruenwald, T., Seals, B. A., Knibbs, L. D., & Hosgood, H. D., 3rd (2022). Population Attributable Fraction of Gas Stoves and Childhood Asthma in the United States. International journal of environmental research and public health, 20(1), 75. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010075

Rasche, T. (2023, January 12). Gas stove safety tips after study links appliance to asthma: “A couple things you can do”. Global News. https://globalnews.ca/news/9407411/gas-stove-study-risks-manitoba-safety-tips/

This research article is about the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network (DIAN), which is a research project that studies families of that who carry the genetic mutations that lead to an increased probability of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. This study examines these individuals in order to better understand how Alzheimer’s develops, when the brain change begins to happen and whether treatment can delay or entirely prevent symptoms.

2)    what research methodology was used by the researcher(s)

The researchers within the study used longitudinal clinal research. They followed the participants in which were affected over the course of multiple years while collecting a multitude of different types of medical data. The study also examined patients with Alzheimer’s disease in order to observe the changes before symptoms appeared.

3)    whether it is a qualitative or a quantitative study and why.

The study is a quantitative study as the researchers collected and analyzed measurable scientific data. The goal within the study was to measure patterns, predict progression, and to analyze whether treatments worked or not. Although the article included personal interviews, the actual research itself relied on numerical and medical data.

‌

1. What is this study about?

This study examines how political differences affect people's ability to work together, using PGA tour golfers as a natural experiment. Since golfers are randomly paired in tournaments, researchers could observe whether players performed differently when paired with someone who shared or opposed their political ideology. Researchers thought that golfers performed worse when paired with someone from the opposite political party, especially during high political tension.

2. What research methodology was used?

The researchers used a quantitative observation methodology, which was based on PGA Tour rounds of archival data analysis, randomized pairings, using public voter records and donation data, and statistical modelling to compare performance when paired with politically similar vs. dissimilar partners. This allowed them to isolate the effect of political mismatch on performance.

3. Is this qualitative or quantitative?

This research is quantitative since it relies on numerical performance data, which in golf is scores, strokes gained, and rankings. It uses statistical analysis to test the hypothesis. There are no interviewees, observations, and conclusions are based on measurable, numerical differences in performance. 

• Maddie Nelson

1) What the study was about:

The study looked at the population of Manitobans during 2022-2023 who were experiencing mental health and substance issues, such as anxiety and depression. The main objective of the research was to determine the number of people seeking services for anxiety and the types of services used. The study determined that nearly 1  in 5 people in Manitoba were seeking care for anxiety issues, 1 in 6 were seeking care for depression, and high rates of alcohol and opioid addictions. It was also mentioned that the rates may be underrepresenting the actual numbers, as they only counted people who actually received or were seeking real medical help. 

2) What research methodology was used by the researcher(s):

In this study, the researchers used secondary data and statistical analysis of manatobas health data, where they examined health care and hospital visits or stays, the amount of prescriptions administered, and the number of uses of healthcare services. So they look at existing data and records rather than conducting interviews or surveys. 

3) whether it is a qualitative or a quantitative study, and why: Quantitative analysis, as they examined numerical data to determine the number of mental health issues in the Manitoba population. 

This study is about the importance of racial equality in higher-education as there seems to be (according to the study) a correlation between higher graduate salaries and racial diversity. This is important to note because this will encourage institutions to strive for more racial diversity within their programs as it not only is ethically correct, it is beneficial to the programs and institutions themselves. Specifically, they found that in a statistically informed hypothetical of 100 graduates, a student from a minority group coming from a broadly inclusive institution is expected a starting salary of $164.94 per MBA graduate and $343.77 per JD graduate. As for the hypothetical graduate of a minority group leaving a narrowly inclusive institution, their starting salary would look like $125.24 per MBA graduate and $297.58 per JD graduate. (Mitra et al)

2. What research methodology was used by the researcher(s)

The research methodologies implemented was statistical analysis across 72 different statistical models pulling from information consisting in "2,964 classes of MBA students graduating from 141 business schools over 29 years and 3,386 classes of JD students graduating from 200 law schools over 21 years." They relied on such large data sets because they found that previous studies relied on much smaller data sets which were not able to easily isolate the relationship between racial diversity and cohort salary. Other factors in their statistics include: selection cohort-based programs for regular interaction with peers, labour-market values of each class through its median starting salary after graduation, and other control data such as undergraduate grades and entrance exam scores (Mitra et al)

3. Whether it is a qualitative or quantitative study and why

This is a quantitative study due to the fact that they are analyzing large numbers of different data sets to come to a hypothesis based in a correlation between the two factors. It was particularly important to the study to use large data sets because the correlation would not be created if the data sets were less significant.

1) This article assessed how the length of one’s sleep impacted the rate at which their body aged biologically. From the data of more than half a million individuals, it was realized that lack of sleep and having an excess of sleep increased biological aging and posed health hazards. However, the researchers observed that sleeping for 6.4-7.8 hours improved healthy aging.

2) The researchers used an observational research technique on a massive scale. The information was gathered on the participants health conditions and sleeping patterns and then compared to aging patterns in different organs in the body.

3) I would say this is a quantitative study because there was analysis of numerical data such as sleep duration, biological measures of age, and health data from over half a million participants. Statistical analyses were applied to determine any correlations between sleep and aging.

Link: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/sleep-duration-associated-with-faster-biological-aging?

-Skyler Findlay

2. The researchers used interviews as their methodology. They interviewed 65 students who were experiencing homelessness, and 54 academic staff members from different Canadian colleges and universities.

3. This was a qualitative study because it focuses on peoples experiences, their emotions, and their perspectives on homelessness as a post-secondary.

2. The research methodology that was used was an observational quantitative research study using radio telescope surveys and computer modeling. The researchers collected data from an effect called “Faraday rotation” which occurs when radio waves travel through areas filled with electrons and magnetic fields, which was able to help trace hidden magnetic structures throughout the galaxy. They also created a 3D model of the Milky Way’s magnetic field and discovered a region of the milky way, the Sagittarius Arm, where the magnetic field looked to be in a reserve direction.

3. This is considered to be a quantitative research study due to the scientists collecting and analysing numerical data rather than relying solely on personal opinion or descriptions.

2. The researchers used a quantitative research methodology by collecting and analyzing numerical data from large numbers of participants. They measured daily step counts and compared them health outcomes, using statistical analysis to identify pattern and relationship between physical activity and disease risk.  

3. This is a quantitative study because it is based on numerical data and statistical analysis.  the researchers measured things like step counts and health outcomes, then used those numbers to draw conclusions. It is not qualitative because it did not focus on person experience, interviews, or opinions.  

What the study was about:

This study investigated how online conspiracy theories catalyze the mobilization of already-radicalized individuals to commit real-world violence or illegal activities. In the research, rather than just looking at mainstream conspiracy believers, the researchers focused on extremists who held anti-government sentiments.

What research methodology was used: The researchers utilized digital content analysis and a case-study approach. They started by reviewing specific violent incidents from early 2024. From there, analysts traced the perpetrators' digital footprints by reviewing their personal social media accounts on X, YouTube, Telegram, Facebook, and TikTok. By analyzing videos and following the narratives these individuals posted before their arrests, the researchers were able to draw direct links between their online media use and their real-world actions.

Qualitative or Quantitative study (and why):

This is mostly a qualitative study. While the report briefly mentions quantitative stats, the core of the research relies on interpreting the data rather than statistical analysis. They focused on understanding why these specific individuals acted by analyzing the ideologies, emotional trauma, and narratives expressed in their social media histories. I would say it aligns with the interpretive approach because it seeks to understand the human motivation and social context behind the violence.

I chose a study that explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used to spot a child's risk for ADHD at an early age. I learned that researchers from Duke Health wanted to see if a computer program could look at a young child's regular doctor visits and predict if they would get an ADHD diagnosis later in childhood. This matters to me because the article highlights that catching ADHD early leads to better grades and lower high school dropout rates.

2. The Research Methodology Used

In my review of the study's method, I found that the scientists used a computer-based data analysis process with two major steps:

• Pre-training the AI: First, they fed the AI program the electronic health records of 720,000 individuals so the computer could learn what general medical histories look like.

• Pattern Testing: Next, they trained and tested the model using the records of 140,000 children (some with ADHD and some without). The AI analyzed doctor data from birth to age 5 to look for specific behavioral and clinical patterns that human eyes might miss.

  
  

3. Classification: Why I Classified This as a Quantitative Study

I have classified this research as a quantitative study.

My reasons why:

• It focuses on numbers and statistics: The research measures its success through math. The final result proved that the AI could predict an ADHD diagnosis with 92% accuracy.

• It uses massive sample sizes: The study looks at massive datasets (720,000 baseline records and 140,000 children's files) rather than small-scale personal stories. Quantitative studies always rely on big numbers to prove a trend.

• There are no personal opinions or interviews: The researchers did not interview families or ask kids how they felt, which would be qualitative data. Instead, they strictly looked at standardized, hard numerical data fields inside electronic medical records.

  https://www.additudemag.com/artificial-intelligence-diagnosis-adhd/

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121034130.htm

1. What was the study about?

The study examined whether exercise can slow brain aging and help keep the brain younger.

2. What research methodology was used?

Researchers used MRI scans and exercise data to study participants over time.

3. Was it qualitative or quantitative research? Why?

This is quantitative research because the researchers used numerical data, brain scans, and scientific measurements.

2. The research study uses a longitudinal and observational research methodology because it studies and understands one social phenomenon over a long period of time. Volunteers were scanned over for many years to observe changes in their bodily organs as they age. Different scans were compared over time to identify patterns that may link to ageing, acute and chronic diseases. They were asked to answer regular fitness questionnaires and other samples to determine how lifestyle changes can result in major differences.

3. This is a quantitative study because it focuses on collecting large numerical data from more than a billion scans and from 100,000 volunteers. The research involves numbers, statistics, body measurements, and large-scale data analysis. It uses a positivist approach and scientific method, which includes objectivity and structured observations.

Lovepreet Kaur

2. The research methodology used was a tracking study, using passive data collection. Instead of simply asking teens how much they used their phones, researchers installed a tracking app that logged smartphone activity during the night. Participants were followed as part of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. This would enable researchers to get actual behavioural data over time, rather than self-reports alone.

3. It is a quantitative study because it focuses on numerical data and statistical analysis. The researchers looked at things like how many people they had, how much phone use there was during certain hours, and the average number of minutes teens spent on their phones at night. The study was quantitative research because it used measurable data and analyzed patterns using numbers.

The study focused on the sleep habits of adolescents in the United States and concluded that adolescents are sleeping less than they did decades ago. The trend of teens' sleep from 1991-2023 was examined, along with some factors associated with poor sleep, including academic stress, screen time, social media and stress. The research also covered the impacts of insomnia on mental well-being, academic achievement, and overall health.

2) How did the researchers conduct their research:

The research methodology adopted by the researchers was Survey Research. They used data from Monitoring the Future, a long-term national study of more than 400,000 eighth-, 10th, and 12th-graders. They were asked about the regularity of their nightly sleep of 7 or more hours and if they thought they were getting enough sleep. This vast amount of data was then analyzed to look for trends through time and to determine differences between groups of teens.

3) Is it qualitative or quantitative? Why?

It is a quantitative study, as it uses numbers and statistical analysis. The researchers gathered quantifiable data from hundreds of thousands of surveys and studied trends, frequencies, and percentages of sleep behaviours across years. The study was not based on personal interviews, opinions, or detailed lived experiences; it was focused on numbers and patterns.

Article Link:
Yale Medicine – Social Media and Youth Mental Health

1. The study was about how social media and digital media use can affect the mental health and behaviour of young people. Researchers looked at both the positive and negative effects of social media, including issues like anxiety, depression, and stress. The researchers also used smartphone data to better understand behaviour and mental health patterns.

2. The research methodology used in the study included collecting smartphone and social media data from participants and analyzing patterns in behaviour and mental health. The researchers examined information from digital devices to study how social media use relates to mental health outcomes.

1. This is mainly a quantitative study because the researchers collected and analyzed measurable data, such as smartphone usage, social media behaviour, and mental health information from many participants. Quantitative research focuses on numbers, patterns, and statistics rather than personal opinions or detailed interviews.

1. The study examined whether the amount of time 11 and 14 year olds spend on social media has an effect on their mental health a few years later. The study tracked more than 3,000 adolescents and looked at mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide attempts. The researchers findings showed that for those who used social media at low to moderate levels, social media use was not a strong predictor future mental health problems. Researchers also explained that the relationship between social media and mental health is very complex and can be influenced by many other factors such as family relationships and previous mental health conditions.

2. The research methodology used by the researchers was a longitudinal survey study. They collected data from the same group of participants over several years to observe patterns and changes throughout the youths' lives. Participants self-reported surveys about their social media use and mental health. Researchers also adjusted the data to account for outside influences on the adolescents, including family and peer relationships.

3. This was a quantitative study because the researchers collected numerical data from thousands of participants as well as analyzed statistics to identify patterns and relationships between social media use and mental health outcomes.

1.     The Research study I chose is Teens, Social Media, and Mental Health. This study looks into how social media is affecting teenagers’ well-being and mental health. Specifically, this study looks at things affected by social media like confidence, sleep, relationships, and mental health. The study found that in teens, there are positive and negative effects stemming from social media use with teens.

2.     The research methodology that was used in this study was a survey. The research surveyed teenagers 12 to 17 years of age, asking them questions about their social media usage and how they feel it personally affects them.

3.     This would be considered a quantitative study as it uses numerical data, percentages, and survey results to show patterns. An example of this is seen in the study, where they compare the number of teen girls versus teen boys who say social media has negatively affected their mental health. One of the first things seen in the study is that around 1 in 5 teens say social media harms theimental well being. This quantitative data is well-rounded research covering teens ages 12 to 17.

Every year they were made to respond to queries on their mood, emotional well being, depression and anxiety. The research used longitudinal type research method in its research design. Therefore, same group of students is being followed over a period of several years, to allow them examine changes, and see if social media usage predicts mental health.

This study is quantitative since they are based on numeric data. Data is collected through the structured questions asked of participants. They measure data, analyze relationship between number of hours they spend social surfing and their feeling of anxiety and depression.

I believe the researchers used a longitudinal research methodology because they followed the same group of teens over several of years and collected the data at different times.

This is a quantitative study because the researchers used numbers and statistics from thousands of people to maybe look for patterns or even correlation between social media use and mental health. The study focused on its data and results instead of the personal stories.

1. The research study I chose is how screen time in bed linked to worse sleep. It indicates that each hour of screen time is linked to an increase in experiencing insomnia and contributing to individuals having less sleep overall. Overall, researchers were only able to confirm that screen time has a connection to lower sleep quality. It has not been confirmed that these are directly related to each other. The study talks about this not being connected to any one app or platform but it is connected to ANY kind of screen use. It is encouraged to engage in a different relaxing activity before bed including, reading, meditation, a shower and self care could promote better quality sleep overall. The study notes that the ‘Screen time in bed linked to worse sleep’ (McMahon, 2025) This study still provided ‘ provided "valuable, mounting evidence” (Joshua Piper, 2025) The study talks about other important factors that could contribute to sleep quality including avoiding caffeine, alcohol or large meals before going to sleep. This study is not absolute truth but it does show us patterns and encourages researchers to continue work in this subject. 

1. The research methodology used by the researchers in this study was a survey. The research surveyed and asked participants to relay if they used any digital type of media before going to bed. This included watching TV, scrolling on social media, engaging in video games, etc. In the survey, individuals were also asked to provide an estimate on how many nights per week before bed they would be doing these screen based activities and how much time was spent. They were also asked about how frequently they struggled to fall asleep, stay asleep, wake up strangely early or how often they experienced tiredness and fatigue. 

3. This would mainly be considered a quantitative study because it focuses on numerical data from a survey. The survey provided researchers with percentages based on responses from 45,000 Norwegian students. 

Works Cited

McMahon, L. (2025, April 1). Screen time in bed linked to worse sleep, study finds. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz79jpxzev5o

https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/self-harm-injury-canada-9.7130367

The research study I chose is about how self-harm rates have risen within young people within Canada. This study found that the amount of self-harm in young people between 2000-2024 raised 3.5% each year. This is considered to be a longitudinal study. This is because the study covered a 25 year period of time. This research is considered quantitative research. This is because it focuses on the percentages, numbers and was conducted through surveys. If it had been qualitative it would have been conducted through ways such as interviews.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/apr/22/teenagers-bed-early-sleep-longer-sharper-brains-study?

This news article discusses a research study conducted by researchers from the University of Cambridge and Fudan University that examined the relationship between sleep habits and cognitive performance in teenagers. The study analyzed data from more than 3,000 adolescents and found that teenagers who went to bed earlier, slept longer, and had lower sleeping heart rates performed better on cognitive tests measuring skills such as reading, vocabulary, and problem-solving. The researchers used a quantitative research methodology. They collected and analyzed numerical data from brain scans, cognitive assessments, and sleep-tracking devices called Fitbits. By comparing sleep patterns with cognitive test results, they were able to identify statistical relationships between sleep quality and brain function.

This is a quantitative study because it relies on measurable data, large sample sizes, and statistical analysis rather than interviews or observations. The researchers used numerical measures such as hours of sleep, heart rate, brain volume, and test scores to conclude the relationship between sleep and cognitive performance among adolescents.

2. The method of the study employed by the researchers was survey research. They studied 212,613 teens from 40 European and North American countries who responded to the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey.

3. This study was quantitative in nature, based on numerical data obtained from a large sample of the survey. The researchers did not conduct in-depth interviews or ask for experiences from the respondents, but used statistical analysis to investigate the connection between the use of social media and sleep problems.

The Methodologies used are Survey and Focus group. The survey data is quantitative because it collects information that can be measured and analyzed statistically. The focus group method is qualitative because it is going through participants’ experiences, opinions and perspectives. Since they used both qualitative and quantitative research, that makes it a mixed methodology.

-Janvi Patel

Above is the research study I chose to use. Being from a gaming background, stuff like this study was always brought up by our parents and some relatives. When it comes to social media and gaming and their effects on the mental state and health of teenagers or younger, while inconclusive as observed by any study in this particular line of analysis, it does have real implications in my understanding, especially that of social media.

The study was done over three years and dealt with 25000 people in Manchester. The researchers would ask them questions about their individual use of social media, gaming habits, and any perceived mental symptoms. The stated methodology was longitudinal, which meant the same participants were studied over a longer period of time.

The study was most definitely quantitative in nature, as can be seen from the enormous amount of data that was presented and the analytical basis for every given subject. It also boasted a very large sample size, amount of usage, patterns, and its effect on the mental health of the participants.

The news story I chose is from The Guardian, and it talks about an animal behaviour study testing to see if giant manta rays possess self-awareness. The scientists who conducted this study wanted to determine if their cognitive abilities extend to self-recognition. The research methodology that was used is called the Mirror Self-Recognition (MSR) test. This test allows them to find a baseline control by documenting the rays' normal behaviour and reactions to strangers. Afterwards, they introduced a large mirror into the tank to observe how the rays interacted with their reflections.

This study is a qualitative one that is rooted in structured behavioural observation. The reason it is a qualitative study is that the researchers and scientists are observing and interpreting the meaning behind the animals' behaviour. In the end, the study concluded that the rays showed self-awareness because they showed self-directed behaviours rather than social ones

Reference 

Smith, L. (2018, February 27). Mirrors have revealed something new about manta rays – and it reflects badly on US. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2018/feb/27/mirrors-have-revealed-something-new-about-manta-rays-and-it-reflects-badly-on-us

The researchers conducting the experiment collected numerical data through numerous surveys which were to be completed by participants. They gathered information about social media usage and compared it with responses about mental health and well-being. The researchers then studied and analyzed the data to identify patterns of relationship.

The method used was survey research, by collecting numerical evidence to answer a research question. This study is primarily quantitative because it uses numerical data collected from a large group of participants and analyzes that data statistically. Rather than relying on casual observations or assumptions, the researchers used systematic methods to test their ideas and draw conclusions.

This study tested the impacts of cocaine pollution on a population of Atlantic salmon in Sweden. This was a quantitative study that measured values such as survival rates, movement dynamics, distances, and patterns, as well as tissue concentrations of three groups of salmon exposed to different chemicals. This study found that the chemical that was produced after humans metabolized cocaine had more of an impact on the salmon than cocaine. This study utilized scientific methodology to collect measurements and conduct the experiment. The results relied on numerical and statistical data to conclude the impacts of human and cocaine waste on aquatic environments and populations. 

Link:https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-high-school-grades-on-the-rise-9.7072730

This article discusses a study that examined how university admission averages in Ontario have changed over time. The researchers found that students now need higher grades than ever before to gain admission to many university programs. To conduct the study, researchers analyzed admission and grade data collected from Ontario universities by the Council of Ontario Universities. The research methodology used was secondary data analysis because the researchers examined existing data rather than collecting new information directly from participants. This is a quantitative study because it relies on numerical data, percentages, and trends in admission averages. The researchers used statistics to identify patterns and changes over time rather than focusing on personal experiences or opinions. I found this study interesting because many students feel pressure to achieve extremely high grades in order to remain competitive for university admissions, and this research helps explain why that pressure continues to grow.

The article chosen discusses recent research that shows AI models give affirming answers when users ask for personal advice, rather than offering objective, balanced and constructive responses. The study evaluated that AI can be overlay agreeable even when the actions being discussed were harmful, unethical or illegal.   

For this study, the researchers conducted multiple experiments across 11 AI models. Using quantitative research methodology, the AI models were given thousands of prompts from various social posts where the poster was in the wrong, as well as statements that included negative conduct. They compared the AI model responses to human responses and found that AI was overly agreeable 49% more often.

This was a quantitative study that relied on numerical data, large datasets, experiments and statistical comparisons. The study produced measurable results and comparisons between groups, rather than focusing on detailed personal interviews or observations.

The study I selected examines the relationships of young people in Canada and how their social environments can impact their mental health. The study considers how the role of relationships, social pressures, and individual factors can help people make sense of who they are and how they relate to the world.

The method of research employed by this study was qualitative research, which focuses on individual factors, experiences, and/or perspectives. The researchers prioritized the participants’ accounts, moving beyond collecting and analyzing purely quantitative data.

This is a branch of sociology because it attempts to understand how social dynamics and structures, as well as relationships, influence individual behavior and lived experiences. - Saron Woldeyesus