Setting: Lab or controlled setting
Samples: Large, often with control groups and blinding
Data: Numeric data analyzed using statistical methods
Interventions: Predetermined, fixed variables
Examples: Quasi-experimental research, experimental research, randomized control trials, retrospective research, case-control study, control trial, cohort study, clinical trial
What to look for: Research question, hypothesis, intervention and variables, valid instrument (including surveys) to measure results, sample/control, data analysis/statistics
The following is an example of the terms you can put in your search to limit to Quantitative Articles:
(Quantitative OR Positivistic OR Experimental OR Clinical Trial OR Randomized Control Trial OR Validity OR Intervention)
This system isn’t perfect! You’ll still need to look at the Methods and Data Analysis/Results sections of the articles you find to make sure you have a truly quantitative study.
Also, check your article closely to see if you found a Mixed Methods study. These types of study include both quantitative and qualitative methods.