Chapter 10: Nonexperimental Research: Qualitative

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Questions and Answers

What is the main focus of qualitative research in social or behavioral sciences?

To test hypotheses using controlled experiments

To identify why people exhibit certain behaviors (correct)

To generalize findings to a large population

To find correlations between variables

Which of the following is an example of a physical artifact in qualitative research?

A budget report

A survey questionnaire

A participant's interview response

A dark, gloomy office space (correct)

What is a limitation of participant observation in qualitative research?

It is only used to study humans

It is too time-consuming

It requires specialized equipment

It is difficult to maintain objectivity (correct)

What is the purpose of direct observation in qualitative research?

To understand the interactions and setting without influencing them Signup and view all the answers

What type of information can archival records provide in qualitative research?

Detailed information about an organization's structure and changes over time Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of using documentation in qualitative research?

It confirms or challenges other information gathered Signup and view all the answers

What is a challenge of conducting participant observation in qualitative research?

Being accepted by the group being studied Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a method used in qualitative research?

Experiments Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of a moderator in a focus group?

To encourage open communication among participants Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of using a case study method?

It enables researchers to collect detailed and rich information Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of case studies?

They are limited in their ability to establish cause-and-effect relationships Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of an ethnographic study?

To understand a culture or group's behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of an ethnographic study?

It involves a holistic perspective Signup and view all the answers

What is a difference between a case study and an ethnographic study?

Case studies are used to study a phenomenon, while ethnographic studies are used to study a culture Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a research method used in ethnographic studies?

Interviews and documents Signup and view all the answers

Why are case studies not suitable for establishing cause-and-effect relationships?

They do not provide enough data to draw causal links Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of using a focus group?

It encourages open communication and discussion among participants Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a case study?

It focuses on a specific phenomenon or individual Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of ethnographers when they approach a culture?

They use prior information to understand the culture enough to function within it. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between historical research and experimental research?

The type of data used Signup and view all the answers

Why is understanding the historical context of a phenomenon important?

It helps to evaluate the significance of the phenomenon Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in conducting historical research?

Define a topic or problem Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the fifth step in historical research?

To combine the data to create a clear and complete set of information Signup and view all the answers

What are primary sources of historical data?

Original materials from the time being studied Signup and view all the answers

Why is historical research often included in both the social sciences and the humanities?

Because it is often debated whether it belongs in the social sciences or the humanities Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between historical research and ethnographic research?

The focus of the research Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of evaluating evidence in historical research?

To check the authenticity and accuracy of the evidence Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of the sixth step in historical research?

To interpret the results based on the original question Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of true experimental designs?

Random assignment of treatments and control group Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the control group in a true experimental design?

To ensure the groups are equivalent at the start of the experiment Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a threat to internal validity?

History Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of external validity?

Generalizability of the results Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of maturation?

Changes in the participants' characteristics over time Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the pretest-posttest control group design?

To ensure the groups are equivalent at the start of the experiment Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary source of historical data?

A firsthand account of an event Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of regression?

Extreme scores tend to move towards the average Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of mortality in research?

Participants drop out of the study Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to evaluate the authenticity of historical data?

To prevent the spread of misinformation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern when using secondary sources?

The trustworthiness of the original source Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of random assignment of participants to groups?

To ensure the groups are equivalent at the start of the experiment Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of using a control group in a true experimental design?

To account for all other possible explanations for the results Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of external criticism in historical research?

To determine the trustworthiness of the data Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of internal criticism in historical research?

Evaluating the accuracy of numbers from an 1890 survey Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of historical research compared to other research methods?

The availability of data is often limited Signup and view all the answers

What should historians do when primary sources are not available?

Make the best use of what is available Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of failing to evaluate the authenticity and accuracy of historical data?

The spread of misinformation Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for historians to be critical and careful about the information they gather?

To prevent the spread of misinformation Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of examining the age and quality of inks in historical research?

To date a document and determine its authenticity Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of scientists when using experimental research methods?

To identify the cause and effect of a phenomenon. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between true experimental and quasi-experimental research designs?

The level of control over the variables being studied. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of randomly selecting subjects from a population in experimental research?

To ensure that each subject has an equal chance of being selected. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of historical research?

It uses less rigorous but more comprehensive criteria to evaluate measurement tools. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of N6 (formerly NUD*IST) software in qualitative research?

To manage and analyze large, complex data sets. Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of pre-experimental research designs?

They do not involve random selection of participants. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the control group in an experiment?

To compare with the experimental group to identify any differences. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of quantitative research?

It involves the collection of numerical data. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of HyperRESEARCH software in qualitative research?

To support data coding, analysis, and organization. Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of using NVivo software in qualitative research?

It enables researchers to import, create, and edit documents. Signup and view all the answers

What is the downside of having too much control in an experiment?

Decreased external validity Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of matching in an experiment?

To control for extraneous variables Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of using a homogeneous population in an experiment?

It controls for extraneous variables Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) in an experiment?

To control for extraneous variables Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between experimental and quasi-experimental designs?

One is used for establishing cause-and-effect relationships, the other for exploratory research Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of using a moderate level of control in an experiment?

It balances internal and external validity Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using a control group in an experiment?

To control for extraneous variables Signup and view all the answers

What is the downside of using matching in an experiment?

It is time-consuming and expensive Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of randomization in an experiment?

To control for extraneous variables Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to consider external validity in an experiment?

It ensures the results can be generalized to other settings Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern of internal validity in an experiment?

Whether the independent variable affects the dependent variable Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the unintended influence of the pretest on the participants' performance on later tests?

Pretest sensitization Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern of external validity in an experiment?

Whether the results of the experiment can be generalized to other settings Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the phenomenon where the participants' behavior changes due to their awareness of being studied?

Hawthorne effect Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using a control group in an experiment?

To ensure that the experiment's design eliminates threats to internal validity Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the influence of the experimenter's behavior on the outcome of the experiment?

Experimenter effects Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary threat to internal validity addressed by randomization?

Selection bias Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the situation where the participants receive an unintended treatment along with the intended treatment?

Multiple treatment interference Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of using a control group and randomization in an experiment?

It increases the internal validity of the experiment Signup and view all the answers

What is the trade-off between internal and external validity?

An experiment can be both internally and externally valid, but it requires careful balance Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between quasi-experimental and experimental methods?

The level of control over the independent variable Signup and view all the answers

When is the quasi-experimental method useful and preferred?

When exploring topics that cannot be investigated using true experimental methods due to ethical concerns Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of quasi-experimental designs?

Pre-assignment of groups based on existing characteristics Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of quasi-experimental studies?

They allow researchers to examine the effects of variables after they have already occurred Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of quasi-experimental designs?

They lack control over the independent variable Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a good research design?

Random selection and assignment of subjects and the use of a control group Signup and view all the answers

What is a type of research that is suitable for studying the effects of malnutrition on infants?

Quasi-experimental design Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe quasi-experimental research that examines the effects of variables after they have already occurred?

Post hoc Signup and view all the answers

What is a drawback of quasi-experimental designs compared to true experimental designs?

Less power in understanding the cause of any observed differences Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of quasi-experimental research in studying the differences in verbal ability between males and females?

To explore the effects of gender on verbal ability after they have already occurred Signup and view all the answers

What is the main limitation of quasi-experimental designs?

They are not truly experimental. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of the longitudinal method?

It studies development over a long period. Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of the longitudinal method?

It is expensive to conduct and has a high dropout rate. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between the longitudinal and cross-sectional methods?

One studies age changes, while the other studies age differences. Signup and view all the answers

What does age have in terms of value in studying development?

Descriptive value. Signup and view all the answers

According to Donald Baer, what drives the differences observed in development?

Experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of the cross-sectional method?

Groups may not be comparable. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of the cross-sectional method?

It is less expensive to conduct and has a low dropout rate. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to study experiences in developmental research?

Because experiences drive the differences observed in development. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of developmental research?

To understand changes that occur from conception to death. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nonexperimental Research: Qualitative

Qualitative research explores why people do what they do, using methods like interviews, surveys, case studies, and personal techniques.
Research sources include:
- Documentation (shared within a group or publicly available)
- Archival records (detailed information about an organization's structure)
- Physical artifacts (objects that can be interpreted)
- Direct observation (watching the environment without getting involved)
- Participant observation (becoming part of the group being studied)

Case Studies

Case studies involve in-depth examination of one person or situation in a unique context.
Advantages of case studies include:
- Focus on a single case, allowing for detailed information collection
- Use of multiple data collection methods
- Rich understanding of the case
Disadvantages of case studies include:
- Time-consuming
- Limited generalizability
- Difficulty establishing cause-and-effect relationships
- Potential researcher bias

Ethnographies

Ethnographies involve studying a culture in-depth, often through participant observation.
Characteristics of ethnographic studies include:
- Holistic perspective (looking at the whole group or phenomenon)
- Naturalistic orientation (living within the culture being studied)
- Prolonged field activity (spending extensive time in the culture)
- Preconceived ideas (initial ideas about the culture, but no research questions or hypotheses)

Historical Research

Historical research involves studying past events or phenomena.
Conducting historical research involves:
1. Defining a topic or problem
2. Formulating a hypothesis
3. Gathering data from various sources
4. Evaluating evidence
5. Synthesizing data
6. Interpreting results
Sources of historical data include:
1. Primary sources (original materials from the time being studied)
2. Secondary sources (one step removed from the original events)
Criteria for evaluating historical data include:
- Authenticity (external criticism)
- Accuracy (internal criticism)

Qualitative Research Tools

Software packages can help manage and analyze large, complex data sets, such as:
- Scrapbook
- N6 (formerly NUD*IST)
- NVivo
- HyperRESEARCH

Understanding Why Things Happen (Experimental Research Methods)

Experimental methods test for cause-and-effect relationships.
Simple experimental design involves:
- Two groups of people (experimental and control)
- Random assignment of participants to groups
- Testing of both groups at the end
Three categories of experimental research designs include:
1. Pre-experimental
2. True experimental
3. Quasi-experimental (or causal-comparative) designs

Pre-Experimental Designs

Pre-experimental designs lack random selection of participants from a population and a control group.
Without these elements, the ability to determine cause-and-effect relationships is limited.

True Experimental Designs

True experimental designs involve:
- Random selection of participants
- Random assignment of treatments
- Random assignment to groups
This design provides stronger evidence for cause-and-effect relationships.

External and Internal Validity

External validity refers to generalizability.
Internal validity refers to control.
Threats to internal and external validity include:
- History (other events happening outside the experiment)
- Maturation (changes over time due to biological or psychological forces)### Threats to Internal Validity
Maturation: natural changes in subjects over time can affect the outcome of the experiment, e.g., children's strength increases as they grow older
Selection: non-random selection of subjects can lead to biased groups, threatening internal validity
Instrumentation: changes in the scoring procedure or instrument can affect the outcome, e.g., grader's criteria or fatigue
Regression: extreme scores tend to move toward the average on subsequent testing
Mortality: subjects dropping out of the study can change the nature of the group, affecting internal validity

Threats to External Validity (Generalizability)

Multiple Treatment Interference: unintended treatments can affect the outcome, making it hard to apply results to other settings
Reactive Arrangements: subjects' knowledge of the study can affect their behavior, e.g., the Hawthorne effect
Experimenter Effects: researchers' behavior can affect the outcome, e.g., unintentional cues or biases
Pretest Sensitization: pretests can inform subjects about what's to come, affecting their later scores

Increasing Internal and External Validity

Use random selection, random assignment, and a control group to maximize internal validity
Ensure external validity by controlling experimenter effects, using multiple experimenters, and considering the study's purpose
Balance internal and external validity by using a moderate level of control and considering external validity

Controlling Extraneous Variables

Matching: matching subjects on specific attributes to ensure equivalent groups
Use of Homogeneous Groups: using a homogeneous population to control extraneous variables
Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA): adjusting for initial differences between groups using a covariate

Quasi-Experimental Research

A type of research that tries to establish cause-and-effect relationships, but is not as strong as the true experimental method
Groups are pre-assigned based on existing characteristics, e.g., gender, ethnicity, or age
Less powerful than true experimental methods, but useful for exploring topics that cannot be ethically investigated using true experiments

Developmental Research

Studies changes that occur from conception to death
Two main methods: longitudinal and cross-sectional
Longitudinal method: studies changes in behavior over time in one group of subjects
Cross-sectional method: studies age differences at one point in time across multiple groups
Age has descriptive value rather than explanatory value in studying development

Studying That Suits You

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Description

This quiz covers the basics of qualitative research, a type of study in social or behavioral sciences that explores human behavior through methods like interviews, surveys, and case studies. It also discusses sources of information for qualitative research.

Chapter 10: Nonexperimental Research: Qualitative

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Questions and Answers

What is the main focus of qualitative research in social or behavioral sciences?

Which of the following is an example of a physical artifact in qualitative research?

What is a limitation of participant observation in qualitative research?

What is the purpose of direct observation in qualitative research?

What type of information can archival records provide in qualitative research?

What is the benefit of using documentation in qualitative research?

What is a challenge of conducting participant observation in qualitative research?

Which of the following is NOT a method used in qualitative research?

What is the primary goal of a moderator in a focus group?

What is the main advantage of using a case study method?

What is a limitation of case studies?

What is the primary goal of an ethnographic study?

What is a characteristic of an ethnographic study?

What is a difference between a case study and an ethnographic study?

What is an example of a research method used in ethnographic studies?

Why are case studies not suitable for establishing cause-and-effect relationships?

What is a benefit of using a focus group?

What is a characteristic of a case study?

What is a characteristic of ethnographers when they approach a culture?

What is the main difference between historical research and experimental research?

Why is understanding the historical context of a phenomenon important?

What is the first step in conducting historical research?

What is the purpose of the fifth step in historical research?

What are primary sources of historical data?

Why is historical research often included in both the social sciences and the humanities?

What is the main difference between historical research and ethnographic research?

What is the purpose of evaluating evidence in historical research?

What is the goal of the sixth step in historical research?

What is a characteristic of true experimental designs?

What is the purpose of the control group in a true experimental design?

What is an example of a threat to internal validity?

What is the meaning of external validity?

What is an example of maturation?

What is the purpose of the pretest-posttest control group design?

What is a primary source of historical data?

What is the effect of regression?

What is the effect of mortality in research?

Why is it important to evaluate the authenticity of historical data?

What is the primary concern when using secondary sources?

What is the purpose of random assignment of participants to groups?

What is the benefit of using a control group in a true experimental design?

What is the goal of external criticism in historical research?

What is an example of internal criticism in historical research?

What is a limitation of historical research compared to other research methods?

What should historians do when primary sources are not available?

What is the result of failing to evaluate the authenticity and accuracy of historical data?

Why is it important for historians to be critical and careful about the information they gather?

What is the purpose of examining the age and quality of inks in historical research?

What is the primary goal of scientists when using experimental research methods?

What is the main difference between true experimental and quasi-experimental research designs?

What is the purpose of randomly selecting subjects from a population in experimental research?

What is a characteristic of historical research?

What is the function of N6 (formerly NUD*IST) software in qualitative research?

What is a limitation of pre-experimental research designs?

What is the purpose of the control group in an experiment?

What is a characteristic of quantitative research?

What is the purpose of HyperRESEARCH software in qualitative research?

What is a benefit of using NVivo software in qualitative research?

What is the downside of having too much control in an experiment?

What is the purpose of matching in an experiment?

What is the advantage of using a homogeneous population in an experiment?

What is the purpose of Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) in an experiment?

What is the main difference between experimental and quasi-experimental designs?

What is the advantage of using a moderate level of control in an experiment?

What is the purpose of using a control group in an experiment?

What is the downside of using matching in an experiment?

What is the purpose of randomization in an experiment?

Why is it important to consider external validity in an experiment?

What is the primary concern of internal validity in an experiment?

What is the term for the unintended influence of the pretest on the participants' performance on later tests?

What is the primary concern of external validity in an experiment?

What is the term for the phenomenon where the participants' behavior changes due to their awareness of being studied?

What is the purpose of using a control group in an experiment?

What is the term for the influence of the experimenter's behavior on the outcome of the experiment?

What is the primary threat to internal validity addressed by randomization?

What is the term for the situation where the participants receive an unintended treatment along with the intended treatment?