What is the primary purpose of hypothesis testing in quantitative research, and which data collection method is commonly employed to achieve this?

The primary purpose of hypothesis testing in quantitative research is to determine whether there is enough evidence to support a specific claim or idea about a population. Researchers start with a hypothesis, which is a statement predicting a relationship or difference between groups. They then collect data using methods such as surveys or experiments to see if the results align with their hypothesis. For example, if a researcher believes that a new teaching method improves student test scores, they would compare test scores from students taught with the new method to those taught with the traditional method. By analyzing the data, they can decide if the new method truly has an effect, helping them to understand and validate their initial hypothesis.