Research Concepts and Methods Quiz

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Questions and Answers

According to positivism, what is the role of the researcher?

A neutral presence minimizing the impact of bias

A detached observer striving for objectivity (correct)

An active participant shaping the study

A subjective interpreter of reality

In interpretivism, what is the emphasis of methodology?

Mixed methods combining qualitative and quantitative approaches

Experimental methods focusing on empirical evidence

Quantitative methods emphasizing replicability

Qualitative methods exploring subjective experiences (correct)

What is the nature of reality according to positivism?

Reality discovered through systematic observation

Objective and tangible reality that exists independently of individuals (correct)

Subjective and socially constructed reality

Reality shaped by individual experiences and perspectives

How is knowledge gained according to interpretivism?

Through the interpretation of meanings and social interactions Signup and view all the answers

Which type of research design involves manipulation of independent variables to study main and interaction effects?

Experimental Research Designs Signup and view all the answers

What type of study involves examining relationships between variables, like hours of study and academic performance?

Correlational Studies Signup and view all the answers

Which type of research design ensures every individual has an equal chance of selection for a sample, providing more generalizable results?

Probability Sampling Signup and view all the answers

What type of research design involves immersive study of cultural groups?

Ethnography Signup and view all the answers

Which type of study looks back in time to analyze past events using existing records?

Retrospective Studies Signup and view all the answers

What type of research design involves systematic examination of past events and contexts using historical records and primary sources?

Historical Research Signup and view all the answers

Which non-experimental research design describes phenomena without manipulating variables?

Descriptive Studies Signup and view all the answers

Which type of research design involves collaborative design aiming to address real-world problems through iterative cycles of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting?

Action Research Signup and view all the answers

What are true experimental designs with random assignment and control groups, used in medical trials like testing new drugs versus placebos?

Randomized Control Trials (RCTs) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of research design generates theory from data?

Grounded Theory Signup and view all the answers

What type of non-probability sampling method has limited generalizability?

Convenience Sampling Signup and view all the answers

What type of research design examines individuals' lived experiences?

Phenomenology Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of sampling methods in statistics?

To facilitate statistical inference and generalizability Signup and view all the answers

Which sampling method involves dividing the population into subgroups based on important characteristics and sampling from each stratum?

Stratified random sampling Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential drawback of convenience sampling?

It may introduce bias into the sample Signup and view all the answers

Which sampling method involves randomly selecting entire clusters or groups for inclusion in the study?

Cluster sampling Signup and view all the answers

What does quota sampling select participants based on?

Pre-defined characteristics to represent specific subgroups in the population Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential limitation of purposive/selective sampling?

It may lack generalizability Signup and view all the answers

What is the target population in a research study?

The entire group of individuals that the researcher is interested in studying and to which they intend to generalize their research findings Signup and view all the answers

Which sampling method involves multiple stages of sampling, starting with broad clusters and narrowing down to individual units?

Multistage sampling Signup and view all the answers

What does random sampling ensure for every individual in the population?

Equal chance of selection Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential benefit of matched sample matching?

Creating comparable groups for research studies Signup and view all the answers

Which sampling method deliberately chooses participants based on specific criteria?

Purposive/selective sampling Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential drawback of cluster sampling?

It may introduce clustering bias Signup and view all the answers

What are the types of hypotheses mentioned in the text?

Directional, non-directional, null, alternative, complex, statistical, research, and associative hypotheses Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the researcher in pragmatism, according to the text?

A problem solver who uses the most effective methods for addressing the research question and acknowledges the value of diverse perspectives Signup and view all the answers

What is the emphasis of pragmatism regarding reality?

Both objective and subjective, emphasizing what works or is practical Signup and view all the answers

What is the key characteristic of quasi-experimental designs?

They lack random assignment of participants to groups Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of operational and conceptual definitions of variables in research?

Provide a theoretical understanding and a standardized way to assess or manipulate variables Signup and view all the answers

What do pragmatic researchers focus on?

Solutions to real-world problems and practical application of research findings Signup and view all the answers

What do factorial designs involve?

The manipulation of two or more independent variables simultaneously Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary emphasis of pragmatism in research methods?

Flexibility to choose methods based on the research question Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of researchers in pragmatism regarding phenomena?

Understanding and interpreting phenomena from the participants' perspectives Signup and view all the answers

What are the steps involved in research, as mentioned in the text?

Identifying the problem, conducting a literature review, formulating a hypothesis, designing the study, collecting and analyzing data, interpreting results, and communicating findings Signup and view all the answers

What is the defining characteristic of true experimental designs?

Involvement of random assignment of participants to different conditions or groups Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of types of hypotheses in research?

Each serves different purposes in research Signup and view all the answers

What is the accessible population in research?

The subset of the target population that researchers can realistically reach and include in a study Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'researcher as an instrument' acknowledge?

The researcher's role in data collection, particularly in qualitative research Signup and view all the answers

What do instruments refer to in research?

Tools or methods used for collecting data Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of Likert scales in research?

To measure attitudes or opinions Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of visual analogue scales in research?

To assess subjective experiences or perceptions Signup and view all the answers

Which types of data are captured using qualitative data collection methods?

Detailed narrative descriptions and in-depth information Signup and view all the answers

What does internal validity refer to in research?

The extent to which study effects can be attributed to the independent variable Signup and view all the answers

What are threats to internal validity in research?

Selection bias, history effects, maturation, testing effects, and instrumentation Signup and view all the answers

What does external validity concern in research?

The generalizability of findings Signup and view all the answers

What does Cronbach's alpha measure in research?

Internal consistency reliability Signup and view all the answers

What does KR-20 assess in research?

Internal consistency reliability for tests with dichotomous items Signup and view all the answers

What does face validity assess in research?

If a measurement appears to measure what it claims to measure Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Understanding Research Concepts and Methods

Accessible population is a subset of the target population that researchers can realistically reach and include in a study, based on practical constraints.
The "researcher as an instrument" concept acknowledges the researcher's role in data collection, particularly in qualitative research where their skills and interactions are crucial.
Instruments in research refer to tools or methods used for collecting data, such as Likert scales and visual analogue scales.
Likert scales are used to measure attitudes or opinions, while visual analogue scales assess subjective experiences or perceptions.
Qualitative data collection methods include field notes, interviews, and observations, capturing detailed narrative descriptions and in-depth information.
Internal validity refers to the extent to which study effects can be attributed to the independent variable, while external validity concerns the generalizability of findings.
Threats to internal validity include selection bias, history effects, maturation, testing effects, and instrumentation.
Threats to external validity include population, ecological, and temporal validity.
Cronbach's alpha measures internal consistency reliability, commonly used in the social sciences to assess survey instruments or scales.
KR-20 assesses internal consistency reliability for tests with dichotomous items, providing similar information to Cronbach's alpha.
Face validity assesses if a measurement appears to measure what it claims to measure, while content validity evaluates if a measurement reflects the entire range of the construct being measured.
These concepts and methods are fundamental in research and play a crucial role in ensuring the quality and reliability of study findings.

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Description

Test your knowledge of fundamental research concepts and methods with this quiz. Explore topics such as accessible population, researcher as an instrument, data collection instruments, qualitative methods, internal and external validity, threats to validity, and reliability measures like Cronbach's alpha and KR-20. Assess your understanding of key concepts essential for conducting high-quality and reliable research.