Quantitative Research Unit 1 Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary distinction between survey research and experimental research?

Survey research focuses on describing trends and opinions, while experimental research tests the impact of a treatment on an outcome.

What role does causation play in experimental research?

Causation in experimental research helps establish whether a treatment directly influences an outcome.

Describe the two main types of data analysis techniques used in quantitative research.

The two main types are descriptive analysis, which summarizes data, and inferential analysis, which makes comparisons to establish relationships.

How does descriptive analysis contribute to data interpretation?

Descriptive analysis provides a numerical summary of results, such as frequencies and average scores, which aids in understanding data trends. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of an inferential analysis in survey research?

Inferential analysis is used to compare survey results to identify and explain relationships among variables. Signup and view all the answers

What type of quantitative research is primarily concerned with gathering opinions and trends?

Survey research is primarily concerned with gathering opinions and trends from a population. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of quantitative research, what does controlling other factors entail?

Controlling other factors in experimental research involves isolating the treatment effect to ensure it is the primary influence on the outcome. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why sampling is important in both survey and experimental research.

Sampling is important as it allows researchers to study a manageable subset of a population, facilitating the analysis of trends or treatment effects. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using a questionnaire in experimental research?

To gather data that analyzes the correlations between objects or concepts. Signup and view all the answers

According to Neuman (2014), what is the significance of survey research in social sciences?

It is the most widely used data-gathering technique in social science research. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main types of survey designs mentioned in the content?

Cross-sectional and longitudinal survey designs. Signup and view all the answers

In experimental research, what distinguishes the experimental group from the control group?

The experimental group receives the treatment, while the control group does not. Signup and view all the answers

What does the longitudinal survey method evaluate?

It assesses changes in responses over multiple points in time. Signup and view all the answers

What role do samples play in experimental research?

Samples provide a subset of the population, differentiated into groups for analysis. Signup and view all the answers

How do causal research methods benefit from the use of experimental designs?

They allow researchers to establish cause-and-effect relationships through controlled manipulation. Signup and view all the answers

Define the term 'respondents' in the context of survey and experimental research.

Respondents are individuals or groups from whom data is gathered for analysis. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using a control group in experimental research?

The control group provides a baseline to assess the effects of the intervention by comparing it with the experimental group. Signup and view all the answers

Define a population in the context of survey research.

A population is a general group of individuals who share similar characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

How does a sample differ from a population?

A sample is a subgroup of the population that is selected for participation in the research. Signup and view all the answers

What is a survey instrument, and what is its main purpose?

A survey instrument, also known as a questionnaire, is a tool used to collect data from respondents. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes independent variables from dependent variables in a study?

Independent variables are manipulated to observe their effect, while dependent variables are the outcomes measured in response to that manipulation. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it essential to analyze the relationships among participant responses in survey research?

Analyzing relationships helps researchers identify patterns and insights that inform conclusions about the data. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how manipulation is relevant to independent variables.

Manipulation of independent variables allows researchers to observe changes in the dependent variables, establishing a cause-and-effect relationship. Signup and view all the answers

What types of questions can be included in a survey instrument?

Survey instruments can include closed-ended questions, such as those asking about behavior or frequency. Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Nature of Quantitative Research

Two primary types of quantitative research: survey research and experimental research.
Survey research provides a numerical description of trends, attitudes, or opinions within a population.
Experimental research tests the impact of treatments or interventions while controlling extraneous factors.

Survey Research

Utilizes questionnaires as the main data collection tool.
Well-known for being the most widely used social science data-gathering technique.
Types of survey designs:
- Cross-sectional surveys collect data at one point in time.
- Longitudinal surveys gather data over multiple points to assess changes.

Components of Survey Research

Population refers to a general group with similar characteristics, while a sample is a subgroup selected to participate in the survey.
Surveys utilize a structured instrument, often a questionnaire, consisting of closed-ended questions for consistency in data collection.
Survey results analyzed using statistical techniques provide either descriptive analysis (numerical reports) or inferential analysis (comparative relationships).

Experimental Research

Aimed at establishing cause-and-effect relationships through the application of interventions on sample groups.
Groups involved include:
- Experimental group receives the treatment.
- Control group does not receive the treatment, allowing for comparison.

Components of Experimental Research

Respondents, referred to as groups, are differentiated into experimental and control.
Two main types of variables:
- Independent variable: the treatment that is manipulated to observe effects.
- Dependent variable: the outcome that reflects the effects of the independent variable.

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Data analysis plans are integral to survey design, involving descriptive methods for reporting survey findings and inferential methods for establishing relationships.
Analysis results help evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment in experimental research.

Key Terms

Correlational Research: type focused on identifying relationships between variables.
Statistical Techniques: methodologies used to process and analyze collected data.
Closed-ended Questions: standardized response options intended for quantitative measurement.

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