Quantitative Research Designs Overview

What is the primary goal of descriptive research design?

Which of the following best defines correlational research?

In which type of quantitative research design does the researcher lack control over the variables?

What distinguishes experimental research from quasi-experimental research?

What term describes the group in research that receives no treatment or intervention?

When is descriptive research design most appropriately used?

What is a key purpose of correlational research?

Which type of research design seeks to measure causal relationships but may not include random assignment?

What is a characteristic of quasi-experimental design?

What is a significant limitation of quasi-experimental designs?

Which statement accurately describes experimental research?

What distinguishes experimental research from quasi-experimental research?

Which feature is primarily associated with quasi-experimental designs?

Quantitative Research Designs

Five general classifications: descriptive, correlational, ex post facto, quasi-experimental, and experimental.

Descriptive Research

Appropriate for exploratory studies where little is known about the research problem.
Answers questions like who, what, where, when, and how much.
Objective is to observe and report a phenomenon as it occurs.

Correlational Research

Aims to determine if variables increase or decrease together.
Establishes an association between variables but does not prove cause and effect.
Purposes: clarifying the relationship between variables and predicting the magnitude of the association.

Ex Post Facto Research

Suitable when measuring a cause based on pre-existing effects.
Researcher has no control over the variables in the study.
Changes measured are not necessarily caused by the study itself.

Quasi-Experimental Research

Measures the causal relationship between variables.
Implies that the measured effect occurred during the study.
Differ from experimental by assigning subjects to groups based on pre-existing factors (e.g., age, education, nationality).

Experimental Research

Based on the scientific method, involving controlled manipulation of the environment.
Known as true experimental design due to extensive treatment and manipulation compared to quasi-experimental.
Random assignment of subjects to treatment and control groups improves the validity of the study.
Attempts to affect a variable by directly manipulating the independent variable.

This quiz focuses on the five general classifications of quantitative research designs, including descriptive, correlational, ex post facto, quasi-experimental, and experimental. Each classification is discussed in detail to help you understand their purposes and methodologies. Test your knowledge on the characteristics and applications of these research designs.