Quantitative Research Methods

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Questions and Answers

What is the term that philosophers used to call research before the modern idea of research emerged?

Logical reasoning

What are the two major logical systems that are related to modern research?

  • Deductive and Inductive (correct)
  • Practical and Theoretical
  • Logical and Illogical
  • Analytical and Observational

What is an error in logic often called?

Fallacy

The hourglass metaphor for the research process represents a well-known structure of a research project.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What part of the hourglass metaphor represents the most concrete or specific part of the research process?

<p>The center</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key component in a causal study that involves deciding which units receive the program and which are placed in an alternative condition?

<p>Research design</p> Signup and view all the answers

Deductive reasoning works from the more specific to the more general.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Inductive reasoning is characterized as being more open-ended and exploratory, particularly at the beginning.

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Deductive reasoning is focused on confirming or testing hypotheses.

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Most social research employs both deductive and inductive reasoning processes at some point in the project.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a faulty reasoning that draws conclusions about individuals based solely on group data?

<p>Ecological fallacy</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a faulty reasoning that draws a conclusion based on exceptional or unique cases?

<p>Exception fallacy</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the best available approximation of the truth of a proposition, inference, or conclusion?

<p>Validity</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the abstract idea or theory that represents the cause in a cause-effect relationship?

<p>Cause construct</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the abstract idea or theory that represents the outcome in a cause-effect relationship?

<p>Effect construct</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the acronym CICE stand for in relation to research validity?

<p>Conclusion, Internal, Construct, External (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of research validity, what does the question "Is there a relationship between the two variables?" address?

<p>Conclusion validity</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of research validity, what does the question "Is the relationship causal?" address?

<p>Internal validity</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of research validity, what does the question "Can you generalize this effect to other persons, places, or times?" address?

<p>External validity</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of research validity, what does the question "Can you claim that the program reflected well your construct of the program and that your measure reflected well your idea of the construct of the measure?" address?

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

Threats to validity refer to reasons why your conclusion or inference might be incorrect.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the ethical principle that ensures study participants voluntarily engage in research without coercion?

<p>Voluntary participation</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the ethical principle that involves informing study participants of the procedures and risks involved in research and ensuring they give their consent?

<p>Informed consent</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the ethical principle that assures study participants that identifying information collected through the study will not be disclosed to others?

<p>Confidentiality</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the ethical principle that ensures that no one, including researchers, can link data to a specific individual?

<p>Anonymity</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the ethical concern that arises when participants in a study do not receive a service they would be eligible for if they were not in the study?

<p>Right to service</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the acronym for a panel of individuals who scrutinize research proposals to ensure ethical conduct?

<p>Institutional Review Board (IRB)</p> Signup and view all the answers

It is recommended to conduct a literature review before starting a research project.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Prior research can help you identify important constructs and avoid overlooking crucial elements in your study.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A literature review can help you find and choose suitable measurement instruments.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The literature review can help you anticipate common challenges and avoid pitfalls in your research context.

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Flashcards

Research Structure

A research project has a beginning, middle, and end with logical reasoning.

Inductive Reasoning

Reasoning from specific observations to broader generalizations.

Deductive Reasoning

Reasoning from general principles to specific conclusions.

Research Question

The central issue in a study, framed in the context of a theory.

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Hypothesis

A specific statement describing the expected outcome of a study, operationalized.

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Independent Variable

The variable that is manipulated or controlled in a study to see its effect.

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Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured in a study to see any effect of the independent variable.

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Construct

The theoretical idea or concept being studied.

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Operationalization

How a construct is measured or observed in a study.

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Causal Study

A study investigating the effect of a cause on an outcome.

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Research Problem

A broad issue that a research study seeks to address.

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Validity

The extent to which research results are sensible and accurate.

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Hourglass Metaphor

Visualizing research as a process with general ideas at both ends and concrete procedures in the middle.

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Research Design

The overall plan for conducting a research study. This includes how participants are assigned to groups.

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Units

The individuals, groups, or other entities in which a research is conducted.

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Sampling

Selecting a subset from the larger group of units the researcher is interested.

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Fallacy

An error in logical reasoning.

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Logical systems

Two methods of reasoning used in research: inductive and deductive approaches.

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Study Notes

Quantitative Research

  • Research projects have a beginning, middle, and end
  • Prior to modern research, logical reasoning was the term used
  • Inductive and deductive reasoning methods are related to modern research
  • Errors in logic (fallacies) are common in research
  • Validity of research is important, considering factors that affect validity

Structure of Research

  • Research begins with broad questions
  • Questions become more specific
  • Operationalization is central to the process
  • Translating research questions into procedures, measurements, and outcomes

Components of a Study

  • Research often originates from a general problem
  • Problems are narrowed down to specific questions
  • Research questions are central and phrased in theory terms
  • Hypotheses are developed to describe expected study outcomes

Components of a Study (continued)

  • Hypotheses are specific, helping the reader understand the study's purpose
  • Cause-effect studies involve at least two variables: a cause to evaluate and an effect to measure
  • Researchers distinguish between controllable and uncontrolled causes
  • The effect or dependent variable is the outcome

Components of a Study (continued)

  • Cause and effect are examined using constructs, i.e. ideas, and how these are manifested in reality
  • Operationalization is essential to accurately represent constructs
  • Social research is context-dependent
  • Examples include questionnaire answers, family observations, and community analyses

Components of a Study (continued)

  • Causal studies investigate the influence of a cause on outcomes
  • In causal studies, the outcomes of intervention (a program) are contrasted with other conditions, like no program
  • Assignment of participants to groups (e.g. program vs. control group) requires a research design
  • Research design is vital to analyze how participants are assigned or placed into programs or treatments

Deduction and Induction

  • Deductive reasoning starts from broad theories, moves to hypotheses, and ends with observations
  • Inductive reasoning begins with specific observations and works toward broader theories

Deduction and Induction (Continued)

  • Inductive approaches are explorative, particularly initially
  • Deductive ones are narrower and concentrate on testing or confirming hypotheses

Deduction and Induction (Continued)

  • Studies might blend inductive and deductive approaches
  • Both deductive and inductive methods play roles
  • Deductive and inductive reasoning are intertwined in research

Two Research Fallacies

  • Ecological fallacy makes conclusions about individuals based purely on group data
  • Exception fallacy draws conclusions based on exceptional cases

Validity of Research

  • Validity is crucial to the accuracy of research conclusions
  • Cause constructs involve an abstract idea or theory
  • Effect constructs describe the outcome or result in a cause-effect relationship

Validity of Research (continued)

  • Conclusion validity assesses if a relationship exists
  • Internal validity determines if the relationship is a causal one
  • Construct validity evaluates how well the constructs are measured
  • External validity determines the generalizability of findings

Ethics in Research

  • Voluntary participation ensures participants are not coerced into participating
  • Informed consent is required for participation
  • Confidentiality protects participants' privacy
  • Anonymity ensures that data cannot be linked to individuals
  • Right to service ensures that participants are legitimately eligible for the services
  • Institutional Review Board (IRB) ensures ethical research practices

Conceptualizing

  • Research topics originate from specific sources
  • Feasibility requires careful consideration of SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound)
  • Prior research is essential for a conceptual understanding of the topic

Conceptualizing (continued)

  • Literature reviews help understand similar studies and constructs
  • Reviewing literature ensures important constructs are not overlooked.

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