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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of a research design?

  • To guide the process of data collection and analysis (correct)
  • To summarize the results after data collection
  • To ensure randomness in sample selection
  • To outline the budget for research

Which of the following statements about nomothetic explanations is true?

  • They focus on detailed descriptions of specific cases.
  • They are primarily used in qualitative research.
  • They lack statistical validity.
  • They aim to establish generalizable principles. (correct)

What distinguishes quasi-experiments from true experiments?

  • Quasi-experiments lack external validity.
  • Quasi-experiments do not have random assignment of participants. (correct)
  • Quasi-experiments are conducted in laboratory settings.
  • Quasi-experiments include random assignment of participants.

What is a significant limitation of cross-sectional designs?

<p>They cannot prove causality. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of longitudinal designs?

<p>They allow for the examination of changes over time. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what context are quasi-experiments commonly utilized?

<p>In evaluations of policy changes or organizational innovations. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect do cross-sectional studies excel at?

<p>Understanding current social conditions. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common challenge faced by quasi-experiments?

<p>Inability to manipulate variables directly. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of cohort studies in longitudinal research?

<p>Studying a specific group with a shared experience (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines reliability in research?

<p>The consistency of results when a study is repeated (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does internal validity specifically address in an experimental study?

<p>Whether results can be attributed to the independent variable manipulation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which threat to internal validity involves participants altering their behavior due to knowledge of being observed?

<p>Hawthorne effect (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of content validity in research measurement?

<p>To ensure the measure covers all relevant aspects of a concept (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of validity examines whether a measure fits within its theoretical framework?

<p>Construct validity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does external validity emphasize in a research study?

<p>The generalizability of results beyond the study sample (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which situation describes a potential threat to external validity?

<p>The environment where the study is conducted is too artificial (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which method can researchers use to increase ecological validity?

<p>Implementing field experiments in natural settings (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of a study is affected if researcher characteristics influence outcomes?

<p>Observer bias (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Research Design

A research design framework that guides the process of data collection and analysis. It's tailored to the research goals and questions.

Nomothetic Explanation

A type of research design that aims to establish generalizable principles and patterns in a population. Often used in quantitative research & focuses on finding commonalities across groups.

Idiographic Explanation

A type of research design that provides rich, detailed descriptions of specific cases, emphasizing individual experiences. Often used in qualitative research & focuses on understanding unique situations.

Quasi-Experiment

A type of research design similar to true experiments but it lacks random assignment of participants to groups. Commonly used in real-world settings, such as studying policy changes.

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External Validity

The ability of a study's findings to be generalized to other populations and settings beyond the study itself.

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Cross-Sectional Design

A research design that collects data from participants at a single point in time. Useful to identify relationships between variables, but cannot prove causality.

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Longitudinal Design

A research design that follows participants over time to track changes in variables. Helps identify causal relationships, unlike cross-sectional.

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Causality

The ability of a study to establish a causal relationship between variables, meaning one variable directly influences the other.

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Panel Study

A study that tracks the same individuals or groups over time.

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Cohort Study

A study that focuses on a specific group with a shared experience, like people born in the same year.

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Reliability

The consistency of a research measurement over time.

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Internal Consistency

A type of reliability that tests whether a scale's items are correlated with each other.

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Item-Total Reliability

A type of reliability that checks whether individual items on a scale correlate with the total score.

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Validity

How accurately a study actually measures what it intends to measure.

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Content Validity

A type of validity that ensures a measure covers all important aspects of a concept.

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Criterion Validity

A type of validity that examines whether a measure aligns with other established measures.

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Study Notes

Experimental Design

  • Researchers strategically select research designs based on study goals and data types.
  • Research design is a framework for data collection and analysis.
  • Research designs can focus on causal relationships, how phenomena evolve, or social actions' meanings.
  • Nomothetic explanations aim for generalizable principles (common in quantitative research).
  • Idiographic explanations provide detailed descriptions of specific cases (common in qualitative research).
  • Quasi-experiments are similar to true experiments but lack random participant assignment.
  • Quasi-experiments are often applied in real-world contexts, like evaluating policy changes.
  • They can offer external validity by examining real-world conditions.
  • Quasi-experiments can be limited by existing group differences.

Cross-Sectional Designs

  • Data is collected at a single point in time.
  • Useful for identifying relationships between variables but do not prove causality.
  • Useful for understanding current social conditions.

Longitudinal Designs

  • Track participants over time.
  • Better for establishing causal relationships.
  • Panel studies follow the same individuals/groups.
  • Cohort studies focus on groups with shared experiences.

Reliability and Validity

  • Reliability refers to study result consistency (if repeated).
  • Essential for stable research measurements.
  • Test-retest reliability: consistent results over time.
  • Internal consistency: items on a scale correlate.
  • Item-total reliability: individual items correlate with the total score.
  • Reliability coefficients (e.g., Cronbach's alpha): gauge consistency (higher is better); close to 1.00 is ideal.
  • Validity refers to how accurately a study measures what it intends to measure.

Types of Validity

  • Content validity: covers all relevant aspects of a concept.
  • Criterion validity: aligns with established measures (predictive or concurrent).
  • Construct validity: fits within a theoretical framework.
  • Convergent validity: correlates with related variables.
  • Discriminant validity: doesn't correlate with unrelated variables

Threats to Internal Validity

  • Placebo effect: participant behavior changes due to expectation.
  • Hawthorne effect: behavior changes due to observation.
  • Maturation: natural changes over time.
  • Mortality: participants dropping out.

Threats to External Validity

  • Testing interaction: artificial settings affecting participant behavior.
  • Selection interaction: sample differs from the broader population.
  • History interaction: time period affecting results.

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Related Documents

Week 4: Experimental Design PDF

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