Research Methods and Processes Overview
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Questions and Answers

What is a key feature of primary research?

  • It relies on existing studies and literature.
  • It involves firsthand observation and study by the researcher. (correct)
  • It focuses only on theoretical frameworks.
  • It is usually conducted by multiple researchers.

    • Which of the following is NOT a disadvantage of structured interviews?

  • Formal in nature.
  • Simple to administer. (correct)
  • Limited flexibility.
  • Response bias.

    • What is the focus of critical discourse analysis?

  • Analyzing the structure of conversation in isolation.
  • Studying language without considering social context.
  • Examining only the aesthetic aspects of language.
  • Understanding how language reproduces social and political power. (correct)

    • Which of the following ethical principles requires researchers to keep participant information confidential?

    <p>Confidentiality.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes unstructured interviews?

    <p>They offer flexibility and participant-driven information collection.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What issue does social desirability bias typically create in interviews?

    <p>Participants provide answers that are less truthful.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these statements best describes conversation analysis?

    <p>It studies the unspoken rules that govern social interactions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does semi-structured interviewing differ from fully structured interviews?

    <p>It combines a prepared list of questions with flexibility.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant ethical consideration in conducting research?

    <p>Ensuring voluntary participation and informed consent.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary concern of discourse analysis?

    <p>To investigate how language influences social realities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of conducting an experiment?

    <p>To demonstrate whether something is true</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>Simple random sampling</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Increasing the sample size in research primarily affects which aspect?

    <p>It decreases the margin of error.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of convenience sampling?

    <p>It selects subjects based on their accessibility.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In stratified random sampling, what is done before selecting the sample?

    <p>Identifying and arranging population into strata</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary difference between independent and dependent variables?

    <p>Independent variables are controlled and manipulated, while dependent variables are measured.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term describes the process of making conclusions about a population based on sample data?

    <p>Statistical inference</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a large sample size not guarantee?

    <p>Elimination of biases in selection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of variable is best described as having categories that can be ranked but with unknown distances between them?

    <p>Ordinal variables</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which sampling method involves making initial contact with a small group and then using referrals?

    <p>Snowball sampling</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a spurious relationship imply?

    <p>There are two variables that correlate with each other due to a third variable.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines the margin of error in the context of sampling?

    <p>The difference between the estimated and true population parameter</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of descriptive statistics?

    <p>To summarize and describe features of data in a study.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following represents a correct measure of central tendency?

    <p>Mean can be significantly influenced by extreme values.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes purposive sampling?

    <p>Selection based on specific characteristics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What measure describes the variation of scores around the measure of central tendency?

    <p>Dispersion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which assertion about sample bias is true?

    <p>Sample bias can arise from inadequate sampling frames and non-random samples.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a representative sample?

    <p>A sample that accurately reflects the population's characteristics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the range in a dataset?

    <p>The difference between the maximum and minimum values.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is true regarding validity in research?

    <p>Validity determines if concepts were properly operationalized.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of a moderator in guided conversations?

    <p>To facilitate open discussion and gather qualitative data</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the main disadvantages of using focus groups?

    <p>Data can be difficult to analyze effectively</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does ethnography primarily involve?

    <p>Immersing in a community to observe and interact</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which aspect does ethnomethodology focus on in communication?

    <p>The unconscious belief systems behind actions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of content analysis?

    <p>Systematic examination of material for patterns</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a criterion for assessing documents in social research?

    <p>Longitudinal significance</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does reliability measure in a study?

    <p>The consistency of results over trials</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of survey design tracks changes over time in the same population?

    <p>Longitudinal study</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of claims does policy and case analysis aim to understand?

    <p>Social groups and processes in contemporary settings</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the Access to Information Act in Canada?

    <p>To allow citizens to access federal government records</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A longitudinal survey primarily focuses on what?

    <p>Tracking changes in the same individuals over time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does validity refer to in a research context?

    <p>How well a study measures its intended concepts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In research methodology, what is a disadvantage of surveys?

    <p>They can suffer from low response rates</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Research Methods and Processes

    • Epistemology: The study of knowledge and justified belief. Forms a foundation for research.
    • Literature Review: Examining existing research to understand the current knowledge base.
    • Theorization: Developing or utilizing theories to guide the research.
    • Hypothesis/Research Questions: Formulating testable statements or questions to be addressed.
    • Research Design: Outlining the overall approach for conducting the research.
    • Ethical Considerations: Establishing guidelines to ensure the well-being of participants and integrity of the research project.
    • Data Collection: Gathering relevant information using appropriate methods.
    • Data Analysis: Processing and interpreting the collected data to examine trends and patterns.
    • Findings and Theorization: Presenting the results and drawing conclusions that may influence the existing theories.

    Research Methods

    • Scientific Method: A logically reasoned approach to research that follows an explicit procedure and is open to scrutiny. A consensus on methods and assumptions is crucial.
    • Popper's Hypothetico-Deductive Scheme: A method for developing and testing hypotheses.
    • Primary Research: Original data collection and analysis by the researcher.
    • Secondary Research: Analysis of data previously collected by others.
    • Conversation Analysis: Study of the rules dictating social interaction in spoken language (ethnomethodology).
    • Discourse Analysis: Examining the language and its role in constructing social reality (focuses on talk and also images).
    • Critical Discourse Analysis: Viewing language as a social practice and examining how language reproduces social and political power. Assumes a link between power and language.
    • Producing Ethical Research: Key elements for morally sound research.
      • Voluntary Participation: Subjects choose to participate freely, without coercion.
      • Informed Consent: Participants are fully aware of research procedures and potential risks.
      • Risk of Harm: No research should place participants in harm's way.
      • Confidentiality: Protecting participant information from unauthorized access.
      • Anonymity: Participants remain completely anonymous even to the researcher.
      • Privacy: Participants retain control over their personal information and consent or dissent when given that choice.

    Data Collection Methods

    • Interviews:
      • Structured Interviews: Pre-determined questions, fixed format, to reduce bias and improve reliability and validity. Can be simple, cost-effective and efficient.
      • Semi-Structured Interviews: Pre-determined questions, but with room for flexibility for discussion and a less formal tone. Best of both worlds, combining reliability and validity with rich details.
      • Unstructured Interviews: Flexible, open-ended questions. Less control over responses, yielding validity but limited generalizability.
    • Focus Groups: Small groups discussing specific topics to generate data, and gain nuanced experiences about the topic.
      • Moderator: Guides the discussion and draws out information from participants.

    Other Research Methods

    • Historical/Policy/Case Study Analysis: Analysis of past events, current policies, or specific cases to understand realities, practices, or behaviour.
    • Ethnography: Immersive observation of a group over an extended period, including observation, conversations, and interviews, to gain an understanding of their culture and behavior. Focused observation of a community.
    • Content Analysis: Careful examination of documents, photos or audio/video to identify patterns, biases, themes, or meanings.
    • Access to Information and Privacy in Canada: Federal legislation governing access to government records and protection of personal information, in Canada.
    • Criteria for Assessing Documents in Social Research: Evaluating documents by assessing authenticity, credibility, sincerity, and meaning (literal and interpretive).
    • Problems with Validating Readings: Consideration of representativeness, survival concerns, availability, and reliability/validity of documents.
    • Sampling:
      • Surveys (Quantitative): Large, diverse samples with closed-ended questions. (Cross-sectional = one point in time, Longitudinal = over time, Trend = same population across time, Panel = same group across time). Surveys describe the population; measure and test theories.
      • Experiments (Quantitative): Design to show cause and effect, with experimental (treatment) and control groups, random assignment, and pre and post-tests.

    Variables and Statistical Analysis

    • Operationalization: Defining abstract concepts in measurable terms.
    • Variables: Qualities that vary among the subjects of study (independent variables = manipulated or controlled; dependent variables = measured or recorded. Nominal, ordinal, interval/ratio).
    • Correlation vs. Causation: Relationship between variables; recognizing correlation is not necessarily causation.
    • Descriptive Statistics: Summarizing data (mean, median, mode, range, standard deviation).
    • Inferential Statistics: Drawing conclusions about a population based on a sample.
    • Sampling types: various methods for choosing a subset of the population for investigation to draw conclusions for the entire population, or specific groups. Probability Sampling (simple random sampling, stratified, cluster, systematic) and non probability sampling (convenience, purposive, snowball, quota).
    • Sample Size: Consideration of sample size for precision.
    • (Confidence interval, margin of error)

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    Description

    This quiz covers essential concepts in research methods and processes. Topics include epistemology, literature reviews, and data analysis techniques that are crucial for conducting effective research. Test your understanding of these fundamental components to enhance your research skills.

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