Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following is NOT a factor informing the selection of a research design?
Which of the following is NOT a factor informing the selection of a research design?
Qualitative research never involves numerical data.
Qualitative research never involves numerical data.
True
What type of strategies does quantitative research include?
What type of strategies does quantitative research include?
True experiments, quasi-experiments, and correlational studies.
Ethnography studies an intact cultural group in a ________ setting.
Ethnography studies an intact cultural group in a ________ setting.
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What is the main purpose of survey research?
What is the main purpose of survey research?
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Match the following research strategies with their descriptions:
Match the following research strategies with their descriptions:
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Which of the following is a characteristic of grounded theory?
Which of the following is a characteristic of grounded theory?
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What is the primary goal of phenomenology in research?
What is the primary goal of phenomenology in research?
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What does narrative research rely on when studying individuals?
What does narrative research rely on when studying individuals?
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What defines sequential mixed methods research?
What defines sequential mixed methods research?
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In what way does concurrent mixed methods research approach data collection?
In what way does concurrent mixed methods research approach data collection?
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When did the concept of mixing different research methodologies originate?
When did the concept of mixing different research methodologies originate?
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What does the term 'bracketing' refer to in phenomenological research?
What does the term 'bracketing' refer to in phenomenological research?
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Which combination of methods is used in a typical sequential mixed methods research design?
Which combination of methods is used in a typical sequential mixed methods research design?
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Which of the following is NOT a benefit of using mixed methods research?
Which of the following is NOT a benefit of using mixed methods research?
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What is the primary goal of using a quantitative approach in research?
What is the primary goal of using a quantitative approach in research?
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When is a qualitative approach most appropriate for a research problem?
When is a qualitative approach most appropriate for a research problem?
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What does a transformative mixed methods design primarily utilize?
What does a transformative mixed methods design primarily utilize?
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What is a key feature of mixed methods research?
What is a key feature of mixed methods research?
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Which situation would most likely lead a researcher to choose a quantitative design?
Which situation would most likely lead a researcher to choose a quantitative design?
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How might a researcher's personal training influence their choice of research design?
How might a researcher's personal training influence their choice of research design?
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Which of the following statements about data collection methods is true?
Which of the following statements about data collection methods is true?
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What is a major limitation of solely using a quantitative approach in research?
What is a major limitation of solely using a quantitative approach in research?
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What is the primary intent of an experimental design?
What is the primary intent of an experimental design?
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Which of the following describes a key advantage of survey designs?
Which of the following describes a key advantage of survey designs?
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What type of survey design involves data collected at only one point in time?
What type of survey design involves data collected at only one point in time?
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What characterizes a mixed methods researcher?
What characterizes a mixed methods researcher?
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When conducting a survey, what must a researcher identify first?
When conducting a survey, what must a researcher identify first?
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In what situation would qualitative methods be preferred over quantitative methods?
In what situation would qualitative methods be preferred over quantitative methods?
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Which of the following best explains the purpose of survey research?
Which of the following best explains the purpose of survey research?
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What is a common characteristic of long-term data collection in surveys?
What is a common characteristic of long-term data collection in surveys?
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Study Notes
Research Design
- Research design encompasses plans and procedures from broad assumptions to detailed data collection methods.
- Key components include worldview assumptions, inquiry procedures (strategies), and data collection/analysis methods.
- Selection of research design is influenced by the nature of the research problem, personal experiences of the researcher, and the study's intended audience.
Strategies of Inquiry
- Inquiry strategies are specific types of qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods within a larger research design.
- The evolution of strategies has been driven by advancements in technology and the development of new social science research methodologies.
Quantitative Strategies
- Historically associated with a postpositivist worldview, involving true experiments, quasi-experiments, correlational studies, and single-subject experiments.
- More recent strategies incorporate complex experiments with multiple variables (such as factorial designs) and structural equation models highlighting causal paths among variables.
- Survey research is key for understanding population trends, using sampling methods for cross-sectional and longitudinal studies with structured data collection techniques.
Experimental Research
- Aims to assess the effect of a specific treatment by comparing outcomes between a treatment group and a control group.
- Includes true experiments (with random assignment) and quasi-experiments (nonrandomized designs).
Qualitative Strategies
- The variety of approaches in qualitative research has expanded significantly since the 1990s.
- Ethnography focuses on studying cultural groups in natural settings using observational and interview data over extended periods.
Grounded Theory
- Involves deriving an abstract theory based on participants' views through iterative data collection and category refinement.
- Key aspects include constant comparison of data and theoretical sampling to explore similarities and differences in information.
Case Studies
- Investigate programs, events, activities, or individuals in depth, bounded by time and context.
- Utilizes diverse data collection methods over sustained periods to gather detailed information.
Phenomenological Research
- Aims to reveal the essence of human experiences regarding specific phenomena through participant descriptions.
- Balances philosophy and method, focusing on understanding lived experiences and their significance.
Phenomenology and Qualitative Research
- Phenomenology embodies both philosophical and methodological approaches focusing on lived experiences.
- Researchers engage deeply with a small number of subjects to uncover meaningful patterns and relationships.
- Researchers must bracket their own experiences to genuinely understand participants’ perspectives.
Narrative Research
- Narrative research involves collecting personal stories from individuals about their lives.
- Researchers retell these stories chronologically, intertwining participants' experiences with their own insights.
- This collaborative narrative approach enriches understanding of individual experiences.
Mixed Methods Strategies
- Mixed methods are less common compared to purely qualitative or quantitative approaches, gaining traction since 1959.
- The mixing of methods combines various data collection techniques like observations and interviews.
Sequential Mixed Methods
- This approach expands findings from one method to another, such as starting with qualitative interviews followed by quantitative surveys for broader generalization.
- Alternate sequences may also begin with quantitative methods to test theories, then delve into qualitative explorations.
Concurrent Mixed Methods
- Concurrent methods merge both qualitative and quantitative data for a holistic analysis.
- Data is collected simultaneously, allowing researchers to incorporate multiple types of inquiry, addressing both processes and outcomes.
Transformative Mixed Methods
- This design employs a theoretical lens that integrates both quantitative and qualitative data.
- The lens guides the research focus, data collection methods, and anticipated study outcomes.
Research Problem Selection Criteria
- A research problem is a societal issue that necessitates exploration, such as racial discrimination.
- Quantitative methods are suited for identifying influencing factors, testing theories, and assessing intervention effectiveness.
- Qualitative methods are ideal for exploring new concepts or phenomena lacking prior research.
- Mixed methods leverage the strengths of both quantitative and qualitative approaches for comprehensive understanding.
Researcher Personal Experiences
- Researchers’ backgrounds influence their methodological choices; those trained in quantitative methods may prefer that approach due to familiarity with statistics and technical writing.
- Qualitative researchers often possess strengths in narrative writing and observation, steering them toward interviews and exploratory studies.
- Mixed methods researchers are versed in both methodologies and are equipped with resources for extensive data collection.
Audience Considerations
- Researchers must consider their audience, which can include journal editors, readers, graduate committees, and conference attendees.
- Audience familiarity with different research methods shapes methodological decisions and preferences.
Quantitative Methods: Surveys and Experiments
- Surveys quantitatively describe trends and attitudes of populations based on sampled data, allowing generalizations.
- Experiments aim to evaluate the impact of interventions while controlling confounding factors through random assignment and treatment comparisons.
Survey Design Essentials
- Establish the survey’s purpose, aimed at generalizing from a sample to a broader population.
- Identify advantages of surveys, such as cost-effectiveness and efficiency in data collection.
- Decide between cross-sectional surveys, collecting data at a single point in time, versus longitudinal surveys, which gather data over an extended period.
- Specify the data collection methods used in the survey design.
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Description
Explore the essential aspects of research design through this quiz. It covers critical decisions, assumptions, and methods of data collection and analysis necessary for effective research planning. Perfect for students and professionals looking to enhance their understanding of research methodologies.