Research Designs and Nonexperimental Research

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Questions and Answers

What type of research design involves manipulating or controlling variables?

Descriptive Research

Experimental Research (correct)

Nonexperimental Research

Qualitative Research

Which of the following is NOT a type of nonexperimental design?

Experimental studies (correct)

Comparative studies

Survey studies

Correlational studies

What is the primary purpose of survey studies in nonexperimental research?

To manipulate variables

To analyze causal relationships

To describe populations on certain variables (correct)

To determine experimental results

Which data collection technique is least likely to be used in survey studies?

Focus groups Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic feature of correlational studies?

They describe the strength of relationships between variables. Signup and view all the answers

In which survey approach are subjects studied at one specific point in time?

Cross-sectional survey Signup and view all the answers

What are extraneous variables in nonexperimental research?

Confounding factors that may affect study results Signup and view all the answers

What method is primarily used in survey studies to gather self-report data?

Questionnaires and interviews Signup and view all the answers

What does a correlational coefficient of +1.00 indicate?

Perfect positive correlation Signup and view all the answers

What type of relationship is indicated by a negative correlational coefficient?

As one variable increases, the other decreases Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes comparative studies in nonexperimental research?

They examine differences between groups without manipulation Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of prospective studies?

They follow subjects into the future to observe effects Signup and view all the answers

Why are secondary analysis studies considered efficient?

They utilize previously collected data for new questions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following research designs is NOT typically categorized under nonexperimental designs?

Qualitative interviews Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of correlational studies?

To examine the strength and direction of relationships Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about retrospective studies is true?

They look for causes in past data related to current effects Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Research Designs

Research designs are classified into quantitative and qualitative categories.
Quantitative designs are further categorized into experimental and nonexperimental designs.

Nonexperimental Research

All nonexperimental research is descriptive in nature.
There is no manipulation or control of variables in this type of research.
Researchers simply describe phenomena as they exist.
To ensure valid results, researchers must attempt to control extraneous variables by carefully selecting the study sample.
Study limitations should also be considered.

Types of Nonexperimental Designs

Survey Studies:
- Self-report data are gathered from samples to describe populations regarding specific variables.
- Researchers control the study through sampling techniques.
- Surveys often collect data on subjects' attitudes, opinions, perceptions, and behaviors.
- Common data collection methods include questionnaires, interviews, phone, mail, internet, and personal contact.
- Surveys can be cross-sectional (studying subjects at one point in time) or longitudinal (studying subjects over an extended period).
Correlational Studies:
- These examine the strength and direction of relationships between two or more variables.
- They analyze how changes in one variable relate to changes in another.
- The strength and direction of a relationship are measured using a correlational coefficient.
- A coefficient of +1.00 indicates a perfect positive correlation, while -1.00 signifies a perfect negative correlation.
Correlational Coefficient:
- A positive coefficient indicates that as one variable increases, the other increases.
- A negative coefficient indicates that as one variable increases, the other decreases (an inverse relationship).
Comparative Studies:
- These examine the differences between groups on a dependent variable.
- They do not involve manipulation of independent variables.
- Comparative studies can be retrospective (looking back at past events) or prospective (following subjects forward in time).
- In retrospective studies, the dependent variable is identified first, followed by an attempt to determine the independent variable.
- In prospective studies, the independent variable is identified first, and subjects are followed to observe the effect on the dependent variable.
Secondary Analysis Studies:
- These studies involve analyzing data from previous studies or research.
- They are cost-effective compared to collecting new data.
- They are frequently used to address new research questions or hypotheses.
- Data collection is usually the most time-consuming part of research, and secondary analysis has become popular for that reason.
- Potential misrepresentation of results is a concern with secondary analysis studies.
Other Nonexperimental Designs
- Action studies
- Evaluation studies
- Meta-analysis studies
- Methodological studies
- Meta-synthesis studies

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Description

Explore the classifications and types of research designs in this quiz, focusing on quantitative and qualitative methods. Learn about nonexperimental research, its descriptive nature, and the importance of sample selection. Understand survey studies and the various data collection methods employed in this research format.