Use of Quantitative Methods in Scientific Research: The Case of the Associação Brasileira de Custos

Abstract

The Congresso Brasileiro de Custos is annually sponsored by the Associação Brasileira de Custos and established itself as an important forum for discussion of this theme. In this sense, considering the importance of that event, is developed whit the aim of understanding the evolution of the use of quantitative methods in scientific articles conveyed in the event the period 1994-2008, especially with regard to the degree of such use. This is a review study in the area of costs, with a descriptive character, involving the use of bibliometric techniques on a total of 2358 articles. The results indicated that over 12% of the study used statistical techniques to support their events, and the highest frequency of use seemed to be concentrated in the last years of the event. As for intensity, it was found that the use of quantitative methods began weakly and has been continuously enhanced. Regarding the limitations of the study, it emphasizes the impossibility of extrapolating the results to the scientific production in the cost area as a whole. In the academic context, expose that the results can also be understood as a kind of guidance to those researchers who aspire to publish their research. Additionally, it is emphasized that the event, though scientific, is a communication link between academia and professionals costs, thus it is believed that the quantitative increase of broadcast research at the Congress can provide a guidelines series to professionals, especially in the solution of problems with the help of quantitative methods.