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Research instruments are basic tools researchers use to gather data for specific research problems.
Research instruments are basic tools researchers use to gather data for specific research problems.
True
Which of the following are common research instruments?
Which of the following are common research instruments?
Which two instruments are usually employed in quantitative research?
Which two instruments are usually employed in quantitative research?
Which two research instruments are often used in qualitative research?
Which two research instruments are often used in qualitative research?
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Interviews and observation checklists can never be used in quantitative research.
Interviews and observation checklists can never be used in quantitative research.
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What is the main focus of validity in a research instrument?
What is the main focus of validity in a research instrument?
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What does reliability refer to in a research instrument?
What does reliability refer to in a research instrument?
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What is the primary goal of the "test-retest reliability" method?
What is the primary goal of the "test-retest reliability" method?
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What is the purpose of "equivalent forms reliability"?
What is the purpose of "equivalent forms reliability"?
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What is the primary goal of "internal consistency reliability"?
What is the primary goal of "internal consistency reliability"?
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What is the main purpose of a research questionnaire?
What is the main purpose of a research questionnaire?
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A questionnaire is more advantageous than a survey in quantitative studies because it is easier to code, interpret objectively, and standardize.
A questionnaire is more advantageous than a survey in quantitative studies because it is easier to code, interpret objectively, and standardize.
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Which of these are common methods for administering questionnaires?
Which of these are common methods for administering questionnaires?
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Which of the following is not a type of test question?
Which of the following is not a type of test question?
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A standardized test ensures uniformity in scoring across different groups and areas.
A standardized test ensures uniformity in scoring across different groups and areas.
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What is the fundamental purpose of "natural observation" in research?
What is the fundamental purpose of "natural observation" in research?
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What is the primary goal of "participant observation"?
What is the primary goal of "participant observation"?
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What is the main characteristic of "complete observer" role in participant observation?
What is the main characteristic of "complete observer" role in participant observation?
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What is the key difference between a "complete observer" and "observer as participant" in participant observation?
What is the key difference between a "complete observer" and "observer as participant" in participant observation?
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What is the essential objective of "controlled observation"?
What is the essential objective of "controlled observation"?
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Controlled observation is usually considered to be less reliable than natural observation.
Controlled observation is usually considered to be less reliable than natural observation.
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Controlled observation is often used in qualitative research.
Controlled observation is often used in qualitative research.
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Natural observation is carried out in a controlled setting.
Natural observation is carried out in a controlled setting.
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Natural observation is often considered to be more ecologically valid than controlled observation.
Natural observation is often considered to be more ecologically valid than controlled observation.
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What is the primary concern with the "participant as observer" role in participant observation?
What is the primary concern with the "participant as observer" role in participant observation?
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What is the most important guideline for researchers conducting observations?
What is the most important guideline for researchers conducting observations?
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Researchers should avoid disrupting the natural flow of activities while observing participants.
Researchers should avoid disrupting the natural flow of activities while observing participants.
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Researchers should always obtain informed consent from participants before conducting observations.
Researchers should always obtain informed consent from participants before conducting observations.
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Observations are always best conducted covertly, without the participants' knowledge.
Observations are always best conducted covertly, without the participants' knowledge.
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Observations are often conducted for extended periods, even spanning many years.
Observations are often conducted for extended periods, even spanning many years.
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Observations are solely used in qualitative research and not applicable to quantitative research.
Observations are solely used in qualitative research and not applicable to quantitative research.
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In quantitative research, the data gathered from questionnaires is typically analyzed using inferential statistics.
In quantitative research, the data gathered from questionnaires is typically analyzed using inferential statistics.
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Inferential statistics is often used to test hypotheses and make predictions based on the data collected.
Inferential statistics is often used to test hypotheses and make predictions based on the data collected.
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What is the primary focus of "univariate analysis"?
What is the primary focus of "univariate analysis"?
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What type of analysis is used to examine the relationship between two variables?
What type of analysis is used to examine the relationship between two variables?
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What type of analysis is typically used to examine relationships among three or more variables?
What type of analysis is typically used to examine relationships among three or more variables?
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Which of the following types of tests would be most suitable for examining the difference between two data sets from a single group, using ordinal data?
Which of the following types of tests would be most suitable for examining the difference between two data sets from a single group, using ordinal data?
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Which test is often used to examine differences between two or more population means when the data is assumed to be normally distributed?
Which test is often used to examine differences between two or more population means when the data is assumed to be normally distributed?
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Study Notes
Research Instrument Validity and Reliability
- Research instruments are tools used to collect data for specific research problems. Common ones include performance tests, questionnaires, interviews, and observation checklists.
- Quantitative research often uses questionnaires and performance tests; qualitative research commonly utilizes interviews and observation checklists. However, observation checklists and interviews can be used in quantitative research, too, if the data is translated into numerical form.
Characteristics of a Good Research Instrument
- Concise: Research instruments should be brief enough to encourage thorough responses without being overly tedious.
- Sequential: Questions should progress in a logical, structured manner, typically from simple to more complex.
- Valid and Reliable: Instruments should accurately measure what they intend to and provide consistent results.
- Easily Tabulated: Instruments need to be designed so that data collection can be easily organized for analysis.
Developing Research Instruments
- Adopt an existing instrument: Utilize instruments previously developed for similar studies.
- Modify an existing instrument: Adapt an existing one to fit the specific needs of the current research.
- Create a new instrument: Design a new instrument based on the research question and variables.
Common Scales
- Likert Scale: A commonly used scale in quantitative research. It prompts respondents to rate statements on a scale (e.g., strongly agree to strongly disagree).
- Semantic Differential: This scale uses bipolar adjectives to assess respondents' perceptions.
Types of Validity
- Face Validity: A foundational assessment; does the instrument appear to measure what it intends.
- Content Validity: Does the instrument assess all relevant aspects of the concept being measured? Expert input is important.
- Construct Validity: The instrument's measurements align with the theoretical concept.
- Concurrent Validity: A new instrument results in similar results to existing, validated measures.
- Predictive Validity: Instruments accurately predict future performance or behaviors.
Types of Reliability
- Test-retest Reliability: Consistency of results across repeated administrations of the instrument.
- Equivalent Forms Reliability: Consistency between different forms of the same instrument, (e.g., two different versions of a questionnaire).
- Internal Consistency Reliability: The items on an instrument measure the same construct (e.g., Cronbach's alpha).
Data Collection and Analysis
- Before: Prepare instruments, identify participants, determine sample size, obtain necessary permits/permissions, and pilot-test tools.
- During: Administer instruments or interventions, record responses to ensure data collection is accurately and ethically conducted.
- After: Summarize data, analyze data using appropriate techniques to answer the research question, and account for gaps in data collection.
Types of Data Analysis
- Descriptive Statistics: Summarize data (e.g., frequency distribution, averages).
- Inferential Statistics: Draw conclusions from the data (e.g., testing hypotheses).
Specific Statistical Techniques for Different Variables
- Univariate Analysis: Analyze a single variable.
- Bivariate Analysis: Investigate the relationship between two variables.
- Multivariate Analysis: Explore the relationship among multiple variables.
Test of Difference Between Two Data Sets
- Paired t-tests: Measuring the difference on a single variable between two measurements from the same person or group (e.g. before and after).
- Independent samples t-tests: Measuring the difference in a single variable between two distinct groups.
- Mann-Whitney U Test: Non-parametric test for interval/ordinal, independent. Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test: Non-parametric; ordinal, 2 related groups; measures difference in a single variable between two related measurements from the same person/group.
Test of Difference between 2 or More Data Sets
- ANOVA: Determine if there are statistically significant differences in means among 3+ groups on an interval measure.
Types of Questions
- Recall Questions: Respondents retrieve information from memory.
- Recognition Questions: Respondents select answers from a list of options.
- Open-ended Questions: Respondents freely express their thoughts.
Data Collection
- Questionnaires: A series of questions used to gather data from participants.
- Interviews: Structured conversations used to collect in-depth information.
- Observation: Watching and recording behaviors or events.
Types of Tests
- Standardized tests: Tests with established norms and scoring that can be administered on large groups.
- Non-standardized tests: Tests without established norms; may differ slightly in scores depending on the person giving the test.
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