week4

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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?

They cannot prove causality. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of longitudinal designs?

They allow for the examination of changes over time. Signup and view all the answers

In what context are quasi-experiments commonly utilized?

In evaluations of policy changes or organizational innovations. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect do cross-sectional studies excel at?

Understanding current social conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common challenge faced by quasi-experiments?

Inability to manipulate variables directly. Signup and view all the answers

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

Studying a specific group with a shared experience Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines reliability in research?

The consistency of results when a study is repeated Signup and view all the answers

What does internal validity specifically address in an experimental study?

Whether results can be attributed to the independent variable manipulation Signup and view all the answers

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

Hawthorne effect Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of content validity in research measurement?

To ensure the measure covers all relevant aspects of a concept Signup and view all the answers

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

Construct validity Signup and view all the answers

What does external validity emphasize in a research study?

The generalizability of results beyond the study sample Signup and view all the answers

Which situation describes a potential threat to external validity?

The environment where the study is conducted is too artificial Signup and view all the answers

Which method can researchers use to increase ecological validity?

Implementing field experiments in natural settings Signup and view all the answers

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

Observer bias Signup and view all the answers

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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