Research Methodology Quiz

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is one impact of research on existing concepts?

Research challenges and replaces old ideas with improved concepts. (correct)

Research primarily focuses on personal beliefs and opinions.

Research leaves old ideas unchanged to avoid conflict.

Research ensures that old ideas remain prevalent in all sectors.

Which of the following best describes a challenge research may face?

Support from all sectors, including rigid industries.

Popularity of new ideas in all industries.

Resistance in rigid systems such as predefined industries or religions. (correct)

Immediate acceptance of research findings by traditionalists.

In which contexts might research face the most resistance?

Dynamic industries that embrace innovation.

Open academic discussions and forums.

Emerging technology sectors eager for change.

Predefined industries and religious contexts. (correct)

Why might research findings be resisted in some circles?

New ideas conflict with established beliefs and practices. Signup and view all the answers

What role does research play in relation to old ideas?

Research seeks to improve outdated concepts and ideas. Signup and view all the answers

What is a causal relationship in research design?

A situation where changes in one variable directly affect changes in another variable. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of causality in research design?

Identifying whether changes in one variable influence changes in another. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about causal relationships is FALSE?

Causal relationships can exist even when the variables are not measured. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following elements is vital for establishing a causal relationship?

Demonstrating that changes in one variable occur before changes in another variable. Signup and view all the answers

In research design, which scenario exemplifies a causal relationship?

A clinical trial shows that a new drug leads to a decrease in symptoms of a disease. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes unstructured data collection from structured data collection?

It is flexible and open-ended. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes a participant observer?

They actively engage as a member of the group. Signup and view all the answers

In which scenario would a non-participant observation be the most appropriate?

When impartiality is crucial to data collection. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of structured data collection methods?

They involve predefined protocols and question formats. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about participant and non-participant observers is true?

Non-participant observers do not interact with the group. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic defines unbiased sampling?

Avoids systematic errors. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes random sampling?

It guarantees equal selection probability for all units. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a type of sampling that involves random processes?

Probability sampling Signup and view all the answers

What is a key advantage of using probability sampling?

It allows for equal selection probability for all units. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'systematic errors' refer to in the context of unbiased sampling?

Errors introduced by biased selection methods. Signup and view all the answers

What does the null hypothesis assume regarding groups or variables?

No difference or relationship exists between groups. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes a hypothesis of difference?

It predicts a difference between groups without specifying its magnitude. Signup and view all the answers

In hypothesis testing, what is the primary role of the null hypothesis?

To provide a statement of no effect for comparison. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a hypothesis of difference?

It does not specify the type of relationship. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a focus of the null hypothesis?

Determining the magnitude of differences. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of snowball sampling?

Participants recruit others, creating a referral chain. Signup and view all the answers

Which sampling method ensures that every member of the population has an equal chance of selection?

Simple Random Sampling Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of snowball sampling?

It may lead to a sample that is not representative of the population. Signup and view all the answers

In simple random sampling, how is the selection of participants typically conducted?

Using a random number generator or lottery method. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the method used in snowball sampling?

Individuals are recruited through referrals from current participants. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Research Fundamentals

Research is a systematic investigation to discover, interpret, and revise knowledge. It often uses the scientific method.
Science organizes knowledge into testable explanations and predictions. This can lead to innovative, sometimes controversial ideas.
The scientific method involves systematic processes for testing and modifying hypotheses, including observation, measurement, and experimentation.
Research challenges existing ideas and replaces them with improved concepts, sometimes facing resistance from established systems or beliefs.
Research aims to uncover new findings, interpret phenomena, or revise incomplete knowledge.
Computer science research focuses on computing systems, exploring areas like algorithms, design methodologies, testing methods, and knowledge representation.

Research Process

Research starts with a specific, focused research question, clear, neutral, and defining the scope of inquiry.
The feasibility, personal interest, and alignment with available resources (time and finances) must be considered for a research question.
Goals are the expected outcome of research, not the direct answer to the research question.
Planning involves the methods and procedures, resources, timeline and milestones of a project.
Developing relevant hypotheses involves informed predictions of outcomes.
Data collection and analysis are key; research is nonlinear, and unexpected results are common.
The thesis statement summarizes the research’s findings and interpretations. Success is often rare in the initial hypothesis testing.
Contributions contextualize novel findings within existing literature.

Research Process: Phases and Steps

The research process has three phases and eight steps.
Phase 1: Deciding the Research Topic focuses on formulating the research problem.
- The student must identify what they want to investigate and ensure they have sufficient resources (time, funds, and relevant knowledge or skills) in place before beginning research.
Phase 2: Planning the Study. The study requires a clear plan for the research design (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods.) The design should also be valid, workable, and manageable, considering its strengths and weaknesses.
Phase 3: Conducting and Presenting Findings
- Data is collected using methods such as interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, observations, and using secondary data sources.
- Data collection must adhere to ethical standards.
- Data is then analyzed and displayed according to its type (e.g., descriptive, quantitative, qualitative).
A research proposal provides a detailed description of the research project, its importance, how it will be done, and predicted outcomes. It includes components like a title, the project's abstract, introduction and background, a summary of relevant literature, the project's aims, objectives, methodology, a schedule, budget, and potential appendices.
Methods and analysis of data must comply with ethical considerations and reflect an appropriate style for the form of research (qualitative or quantitative).

Literature Review

A literature review provides a theoretical background for a research study.
It clarifies the research problem, guides research methodology, widens knowledge of the topic, and contextualizes findings within existing knowledge.
Start with a broad interest area and narrow it down; focus on known and unknown aspects of the field and existing research gaps, considering areas of conflict and relevant theories.
Critically analyze the literature, ensuring the theoretical frame and methods are well-defined.

Formulating a Research Problem

Formulating a research problem is crucial.
It guides the entire research process, affecting methodology, sample selection, instruments, and analysis methods.
The problem should be accurately defined and aligned with required procedures.
The research problem can be a question, assumption, or assertion to be investigated.
Considerations when selecting a topic may include, but are not limited to, interest in the topic, its magnitude for the research, the feasibility of measurement methods, relevant expertise of the researcher(s), relevance of the topic to existing knowledge, availability of data, and ethical issues.
This process involves specific steps like identifying an interest area, breaking it into manageable sub-areas, selecting a sub-area, generating research questions, formulating objectives, assessing feasibility, and checking for clarity.

Variables

A variable is something whose value changes.
Variables are concepts that can be measured.
Concepts are mental representations that can't be directly measured - variables, using indicators/criteria, represent concepts.
Variables can be categorized based on their relationships to each other (e.g., independent, dependent, extraneous, intervening.)
Variables can be classified as quantitative (numerical or numerical data) or qualitative (non-numerical data.)
Other classifications of variables include active (manipulated) vs attribute (not manipulated), and continuous vs. discrete depending on the range of values considered.

Hypotheses

A hypothesis is a tentative statement about relationships between variables, whose validity is uncertain.
Hypotheses clarify, focus, and bring specificity to a research problem
They guide researchers in deciding what data to collect, and what to exclude.
Hypotheses are commonly formulated in a testable format that predicts specific relationships.
Functions of hypotheses include providing a focus for the research, suggesting what data should be collected and which methods should be used, encouraging objective investigation, and contributing to the knowledge in the field.
Testing a hypothesis involves three phases: constructing the hypothesis itself, gathering evidence, and analyzing evidence to determine the hypothesis's validity.

Reliability and Validity

Validity addresses whether the research measures what it intends to measure and whether the research methods are appropriate for answering the questions asked.
Reliability refers to the consistency, stability, and accuracy of the research instrument.
Reliability is measured by multiple means, like the split-half method, test-retest, and parallel forms methods for quantitative studies. Qualitative studies have alternative criteria to ensure reliability.
A good hypothesis must be simple, clear, one-dimensional, and testable. It should relate to and contribute to existing knowledge and be operational.

Sampling

A sample is a subset of a population used for research.
Sampling is important for practical and resource constraints - sampling is often a more efficient option than studying the entire population.
Sampling must reflect the diversity of the population being studied.
Sampling methods include simple random sampling, systematic sampling, stratified random sampling, and cluster sampling for probability sampling; and convenience, quota, judgment, and snowball sampling for non-probability sampling.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge of research methodologies and concepts with this quiz. Explore the challenges and dynamics of research design, including causal relationships and data collection methods. This quiz is suitable for students studying research methods or related fields.