Research Methodologies Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which researcher is associated with viewing research as the formation of new knowledge?

O'Donnel (2012) (correct)

Aliaga and Gunderson (2000)

Chapman (1979)

Williams (2007)

What method is typically used in quantitative research to analyze data?

Statistical analysis (correct)

Qualitative analysis

Thematic analysis

Narrative inquiry

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of quantitative research?

Relies on subjective interpretations (correct)

Assumes the sample is representative of the population

Uses statistics to generalize findings

Reduces complex problems to a limited number of variables

What type of reasoning is typically applied in quantitative research?

Deductive reasoning Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes the aim of quantitative research?

To measure relationships between variables Signup and view all the answers

What does quantitative research primarily focus on when investigating phenomena?

Numerical data and statistical analysis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best illustrates an example of a phenomenon studied in quantitative research?

Trends in unemployment rates Signup and view all the answers

Which description fits the role of a virologist in research?

Investigating viral infections Signup and view all the answers

What is one significant advantage of quantitative research?

It allows the researcher to measure and analyze data objectively. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a disadvantage of quantitative research?

It does not consider the natural setting of the study. Signup and view all the answers

In which field is quantitative research particularly important for assessing the effectiveness of methods used?

Education Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential effect of having a large sample size in quantitative research?

It can lead to higher resource expenditure. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements correctly reflects the nature of results in quantitative research?

Results are usually limited to numerical analyses. Signup and view all the answers

How does quantitative research influence findings in experimental settings?

By applying strict controls during the experiment. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary purpose of implementing quantitative research methods in business?

To derive informed decisions based on consumer opinions. Signup and view all the answers

What caveat may arise regarding preset answers in quantitative research?

They can oversimplify complex issues. Signup and view all the answers

What type of variable can only take whole number values?

Discrete Variables Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a continuous variable?

Temperature in Celsius Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic defines categorical variables?

They describe quality or characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following types of variables cannot be logically ordered?

Nominal Variables Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes dichotomous variables from other variable types?

They represent only two categories. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding ordinal variables?

They can be logically ordered or ranked. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of experimental research, what is measured to analyze the efficacy of medicines?

Quantitative data from patients. Signup and view all the answers

Which variable classification includes measurements like age and height?

Continuous Variables Signup and view all the answers

What factor is essential for ensuring that a research topic is novel?

It must not have been widely explored by other researchers. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered an external criterion for formulating research problems?

Availability and adequacy of facilities and equipment. Signup and view all the answers

What is a crucial internal criterion that affects a researcher’s ability to conduct research?

Motivation and intellectual curiosity of the researcher. Signup and view all the answers

Which consideration is NOT part of external criteria when formulating research problems?

Personal interests and attributes of the researcher. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the availability of subjects important in research formulation?

It directly affects the reliability of research findings. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in selecting an appropriate research title?

Think of an issue or concern you are confronted with. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a potential hazard when formulating a research problem?

Exceeding the funding budget. Signup and view all the answers

What should be considered regarding equipment when preparing for research?

Adequate facilities and equipment should be ensured. Signup and view all the answers

What type of variable is manipulated to see its effect in an experiment?

Independent Variable Signup and view all the answers

Which of these describes a dependent variable in a non-experimental study?

Criterion Variable Signup and view all the answers

In the context of variables, which term refers to the study of one variable?

Univariate Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes extraneous variables in an experiment?

They influence the outcome but are not the main focus. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common reason to identify research problems?

A gap exists between theory and practice. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is essential when crafting a research title?

It should clearly convey the main topic. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a polychotomous variable?

A variable that has many categories. Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended length for a research title?

10 to 15 words Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Research Defined

Chapman (1979): Research involves investigating something to solve a problem.
Williams (2007): Research is a systematic inquiry involving data collection, documentation, analysis, and interpretation.
O’Donnel (2012): Research creates new knowledge and creatively applies existing knowledge.
Researchers across various fields conduct research (e.g., virologists, physicists, chemists, librarians, archaeologists).

Quantitative Research

Aliaga and Gunderson (2000): Explains phenomena using numerical data analyzed with mathematical methods (statistics).
Uses numbers and statistical analysis.
Suitable for studying phenomena with measurement challenges.
Employs the traditional, positivist scientific method.
Uses deductive reasoning to generate testable predictions.
Focuses on measuring relevant factors and variables with numerical values.
Analyzes numbers to answer specific inquiries, often using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Characteristics of Quantitative Research

Reliable and objective (factual, unbiased, replicable).
Generalizes findings from samples to populations using statistics.
Simplifies complex problems into a limited number of variables.
Establishes cause-and-effect relationships in controlled circumstances.
Tests theories or hypotheses.
Assumes sample representativeness.
Methodology subjectivity is secondary.
Deals with subject details.

Advantages of Quantitative Research

Allows objective answers through data measurement and analysis.
Reliable results due to large sample sizes.
Replicable due to established standards in instruments, sampling, and statistical treatment.
Minimizes personal biases.
Simple and systematic processes.
Concisely interpretable results.

Disadvantages of Quantitative Research

Ignores context and natural setting, potentially limiting real-world applicability.
Requires significant resources for large samples.
Limited results based on numerical analysis.
Provides less detailed accounts of human perceptions due to fixed answers.
High control levels in experiments may not be realistically applicable.
Preset answers may not reflect true participant responses.
Researcher perspective can influence findings due to potentially unknown participants.

Importance of Quantitative Research Across Fields

Validating results.
Education: Measuring student and teacher performance, assessing method effectiveness, and gauging stakeholder satisfaction.
Business: Improving marketing, informed decision-making, understanding consumer opinions. Used extensively in product development and marketing.
Healthcare: Informing healthcare procedures, analyzing illness rates, and evaluating medicine efficacy. Essential for experimental research on vaccines and drugs.
Science and Technology: Measuring processing rates, determining procedure times, and ensuring responsible technology operation.

Variables

Subject of the study.
Can change or be affected by other variables.
Any factor or property measured, controlled, or manipulated by a researcher.
A changing quantity or measure of a factor, trait, or condition.
Also called a data item.

Classification of Variables

Numeric Variables: Measurable numerical quantities (quantitative data).
- Continuous Variables: Can assume any value within a range (e.g., time, age, height).
- Discrete Variables: Can only assume whole number values (e.g., number of cars, children).
Categorical Variables: Describe qualities or characteristics.
- Ordinal Variables: Values can be logically ordered or ranked (e.g., grades, clothing sizes).
- Nominal Variables: Values cannot be logically ordered (e.g., eye color, religion).
- Dichotomous Variables: Represent two categories (e.g., gender, yes/no).
- Polychotomous Variables: Have many categories (e.g., educational attainment).
Experimental Variables: Used in experiments.
- Independent Variables: Manipulated variables.
- Dependent Variables: Variables affected by the independent variable.
- Extraneous Variables: Variables affecting the study but not the focus.
Non-experimental Variables: Used in non-experimental studies.
- Predictor Variables: Independent variables.
- Criterion Variables: Dependent variables.
Variables According to Number Studied:
- Univariate: One variable.
- Bivariate: Two variables.
- Polyvariate: More than two variables.

Research Title Guidelines

Summarizes the main idea.
Concisely states the main topic.
Includes major variables.
Shows the relationship between main variables.
Describes the researcher's task.
Mentions participants and setting (generally).
Avoids redundant words (e.g., "methods," "results," "study").
Should be 10-15 words.

Identifying Research Problems

A feeling of discomfort or perceived difficulty.
A gap between theory and practice.
A daily experience needing further inquiry.
A pattern or trend.
A literature review.
Areas where solutions exist but are untested or unknown.
Areas lacking available solutions.
Contradictory or untested answers/solutions.
Phenomena requiring explanation.
Multiple plausible explanations for undesirable conditions.

Considerations in Formulating Research Problems

External Criteria:
- Novelty (topic not overused).
- Subject availability.
- Administrative support.
- Facility and equipment availability.
- Legal and ethical considerations.
Internal Criteria:
- Researcher's experience, training, and qualifications.
- Researcher's motivation, interest, and perceptiveness.
- Time management.
- Personal costs and returns.
- Hazards, penalties, and handicaps.

Selecting a Research Title

Identify an issue or concern.
Organize the broad topic (concept map or clustering diagram).
Select specific aspects.
Formulate a tentative title.

Types of Quantitative Research (Incomplete in provided text)

The provided text begins listing types of quantitative research but does not complete the list.

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Description

This quiz explores the definitions and methodologies of research, focusing on both qualitative and quantitative approaches. It highlights key contributions from various authors and the importance of systematic inquiry in generating new knowledge. Ideal for students and professionals interested in research methodologies.