Questions and Answers
What is research?
Research is a systematic process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting information to increase our understanding of a phenomenon.
What are the goals of research? (Select all that apply)
Quantitative research allows researchers to understand situations from a participant’s perspective.
False
What is a characteristic of quantitative research?
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What is a non-experimental research design?
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What is the main difference between true experiments and quasi-experiments?
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The simplest form of research design is a ______.
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Match the following types of research designs with their descriptions:
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What is an independent variable in research?
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Study Notes
Research Overview
- Research systematically collects, analyzes, and interprets information to enhance understanding of phenomena.
- It is an objective process aimed at creating knowledge through inquiry and evidence-based practices.
- Research contributes to existing knowledge, improves practices, informs policies, and seeks to solve problems.
Types of Research
- Quantitative research deals with single realities and aims to generalize findings about populations.
- Qualitative research emphasizes multiple realities and seeks to understand participant perspectives.
- Quantitative approaches often involve pre-established designs, while qualitative designs may emerge based on subjective experiences.
Characteristics of Quantitative Research
- Involves measuring relationships and explaining correlations among variables.
- Data collection is often detached, using statistical methods and tools for analysis.
- Generally aims to generalize findings across larger populations.
Strengths of Quantitative Research
- Allows for generalization of results from a sample to a larger population.
- Employs statistical methods for accuracy and reliability in findings.
- Provides objective measurements that can identify relationships and causations.
Weaknesses of Quantitative Research
- May lack depth in understanding participant experiences due to a detached research approach.
- Risk of bias in sample selection and data interpretation.
- Results may not always capture the complexity of real-world phenomena.
Quantitative Research Design
- Descriptive design focuses on “what” is happening in a population or phenomenon.
- Non-experimental designs gather insights without manipulating variables, primarily using questionnaires.
Types of Non-Experimental Designs
- Descriptive: Aims to describe characteristics and conditions.
- Correlational: Measures the degree of association between multiple variables.
- Comparative: Compares groups to discover differences or impacts from various conditions.
- Evaluative: Assesses products or concepts to collect data for improvements.
Experimental Research Types
- Pre-Experiments: Simple observational studies often lacking control groups.
- True Experiments: Utilize random assignment to establish cause-and-effect relationships through control and experimental groups.
- Quasi-Experiments: Similar to true experiments but do not randomly assign groups.
True Experimental Design Features
- Implement control and experimental groups for comparative analysis of outcomes.
- Requires random assignment of participants to ensure unbiased results.
Specific True Experimental Designs
- Post-test-only: Compares outcomes after intervention without pre-testing.
- Pre-test post-test: Involves measuring variables before and after intervention to observe changes.
- Solomon Four Group Design: Assesses treatment efficacy through four groups, some receiving pre-tests and others not.
Quasi-Experimental Design
- Manipulates independent variables without random assignment, suitable for ethical or practical constraints in real-world scenarios.
- Useful where true experimental designs are impractical, such as in field studies.
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Description
This quiz explores the fundamentals of research methodology, including the systematic processes involved in collecting and analyzing data. It aims to enhance understanding of unbiased approaches and creative processes in knowledge creation. Ideal for students studying research methods.
