Quantitative Research Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is a characteristic feature of descriptive research?

  • It describes phenomena that occur in nature. (correct)
  • It establishes cause-effect relationships.
  • It requires manipulation of the independent variable.
  • It involves random sampling of subjects.

In correlational research, what is the primary aim?

  • To identify relationships between two variables. (correct)
  • To manipulate dependent variables.
  • To randomize sample selection.
  • To conduct experiments with control groups.

What distinguishes quasi-experimental research from true experimental research?

  • Quasi-experimental research is more reliable than true experimental research.
  • Quasi-experimental research does not randomly assign samples. (correct)
  • Quasi-experimental research can determine causation.
  • Quasi-experimental research uses random sampling.

Which group in experimental research receives the treatment or intervention?

<p>Experimental group (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does the independent variable play in experimental research?

<p>It explains and causes effects. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During which stage of an experiment is data collected prior to the intervention?

<p>Pretest (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of a true experimental design?

<p>Allows for causal relationship determinations. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of research in the experimental design field?

<p>To determine causation. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a single-subject design from other experimental designs?

<p>It focuses on a single individual as the respondent. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of analysis can be performed on the results of experimental research?

<p>Both descriptive and inferential analysis. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the independent variable in a scientific inquiry?

<p>The variable that is manipulated (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic of quantitative research ensures that results can be applied to a larger population?

<p>Generalizability (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential weakness of quantitative research due to sample size requirements?

<p>It can oversimplify complex phenomena (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is objectivity considered a characteristic of quantitative research?

<p>The data collected is observable and measurable (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the correlation of variables in quantitative research?

<p>Dependent variables are affected by changes in independent variables (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the independent variable in a scientific inquiry?

<p>It is the variable that is manipulated to observe its effect. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic of quantitative research describes its ability to be repeated by other researchers?

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

What is a major weakness of quantitative research?

<p>It simplifies complex observations to numerical values. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does generalizability refer to in the context of quantitative research?

<p>The capacity to apply findings from a sample to a larger population. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is objectivity an important characteristic of quantitative research?

<p>It ensures the results are observable and measurable through structured instruments. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of descriptive research?

<p>It describes factors or phenomena occurring in nature. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of research design can identify relationships without establishing cause-effect?

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

In experimental research, what is the role of the control group?

<p>Does not receive the experimental treatment. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes true experimental research from quasi-experimental research?

<p>True experimental research employs random assignment of samples. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the independent variable in an experimental study?

<p>It is manipulated to observe its effect. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which stage do researchers measure the effects of the treatment after an intervention?

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

What does the term 'single-subject design' refer to in experimental research?

<p>Only one individual is the subject of the experiment. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of analysis is appropriate for interpreting the results of experimental research?

<p>Inferential analysis based on statistical tests (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a fundamental goal of experimental research?

<p>To determine cause-effect relationships. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of research design uses both experimental and control groups but does not employ random assignment?

<p>Quasi-experimental research (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Variable

A factor that can be changed or measured in a scientific study, usually described numerically.

Independent variable

The factor that is intentionally changed or manipulated in an experiment. It influences the dependent variable.

Dependent variable

The factor that is being measured or observed in an experiment. It is influenced by the independent variable.

Quantitative research

A research approach that uses numerical data and statistical analysis to study relationships and test hypotheses.

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Objectivity in quantitative research

Data can be measured and observed in a structured way, allowing for consistent and repeatable results.

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Descriptive Research

A research design that observes and describes factors or phenomena as they occur naturally.

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Correlational Research

A research design that compares two variables and identifies the relationship between them.

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Quasi-experimental Research

A research design that mirrors experimental research but does not allow for determining a causal relationship due to limitations in sample selection.

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True Experimental Research

A research design that identifies a cause-and-effect relationship between variables using randomized samples.

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Experimental Group

The group in an experiment that receives the treatment or intervention being studied.

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Control Group

The group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment or intervention being studied, serving as a baseline for comparison.

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Actual Intervention Stage

The stage in an experimental procedure where the treatment or intervention is applied.

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Pretest

A stage in an experiment where measurements or observations are taken before the intervention.

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Controllability in quantitative research

The ability to control all other variables except the independent variable to ensure that the observed changes are due to the independent variable.

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Generalizability in quantitative research

The ability to generalize the findings from a study to a larger population.

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Replicability in quantitative research

The research should be repeatable by other researchers, leading to similar outcomes.

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Posttest

A stage in an experiment where measurements or observations are taken after the intervention is applied.

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True experiment

A type of research where the independent variable can be manipulated, and the effect on the dependent variable is measured.

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Quasi-experiment

A type of research similar to a true experiment, but lacks random assignment of subjects due to ethical or practical reasons.

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Single-subject design

A type of research design where a single individual is the subject of the experiment.

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Pre-experimental design

A type of research design where participants are not randomly assigned to groups and measures are made only on a single group.

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Inferential analysis

A type of research where the goal is to find a cause-and-effect relationship between variables, using statistical tests to analyze the data.

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Study Notes

Quantitative Research

  • Focuses on numerical data to describe phenomena and infer relationships
  • Employs variables (factors) to understand relationships
  • Variables are traits numerically describing objects, phenomena, or groups
  • Common in scientific inquiry for testing hypotheses
  • Two main types of variables:
    • Independent variable: manipulated factor
    • Dependent variable: measured factor affected by the independent variable
    • Variables are also called factors, representing relationships between different factors

Characteristics of Quantitative Research

  • Controllability: Researchers aim to control all variables impacting a relationship or phenomenon.
  • Generalizability: Results are representative of a larger population using larger sample sizes.
  • Objectivity: Data are measurable using structured instruments.
  • Replicability: Other researchers can reproduce the study and obtain similar outcomes.

Strengths of Quantitative Research

  • Statistical analyses aid data interpretation
  • Can undertake large-scale research to represent populations
  • Data presentation in graphs and tables simplifies understanding

Weaknesses of Quantitative Research

  • Large sample sizes require significant time and resources
  • Statistical analysis often demands expert knowledge
  • Oversimplification of observations to numerical values

Types of Quantitative Research

  • Experimental Research: Investigates cause-and-effect relationships.

    • Uses both experimental and control groups, with random assignment of participants.
    • Independent variable manipulated to observe dependent variable changes.
    • Intervention (treatment) in the experimental group
  • Components of Experimental Research:

    • Respondents (Groups): Experimental group receives treatment (intervention) and control group does not.
    • Variables: Independent variable is the treatment, dependent is the outcome.
    • Strategies of Experimental Procedure:
      • Intervention stage: variables interaction occurs
      • Pretest: before intervention
      • Posttest: after intervention
    • Instrumentation and Materials: Tools to measure observations
    • Research Designs:
      • Pre-experimental: single experimental group
      • True experiment: random assignment in experimental and controlled group
      • Quasi-experiment: groups not randomly assigned. Random sampling not possible due to inherent or ethical limitations.
      • Single-subject design: research participant only.
  • Data Analysis and Interpretation:

    • Descriptive or inferential methods (appropriate statistical tests).
    • Aim is to establish cause-and-effect, not correlation.
    • Types of research:
      • Descriptive Research: Describes variables or phenomena in nature.
      • Correlational Research: Investigates relationships between two variables.
      • Quasi-experimental Research: Similar to experiments, but cannot control all variables. Random sampling not possible due to inherent or ethical reasons.

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