Research Methods and Sampling Techniques

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Questions and Answers

What is an operational definition in research?

A description of how a variable is measured. (correct)

A type of qualitative analysis.

A process of collecting data from an entire population.

A method to randomly select participants.

Which sampling method involves selecting every nth member after a random start point?

Stratified random sampling

Cluster random sampling

Systematic random sampling (correct)

Voluntary response sampling

What is a disadvantage of simple random sampling?

It does not allow for randomness in participant selection.

It requires a list of all members in the population. (correct)

It ensures representation from all subgroups.

It can lead to biased results if the sample is too small.

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

Vehicle type Signup and view all the answers

What is convenience sampling primarily based on?

Using participants that are easily accessible. Signup and view all the answers

What does stratified random sampling aim to achieve?

Equal representation from different subgroups. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during voluntary response sampling?

Participants choose to join the sample based on their own decision. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these variables can be measured using Likert scales?

Qualitative data Signup and view all the answers

What does Pearson's r indicate in correlation studies?

The strength of the relationship between quantitative variables Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best reflects the directionality problem in research?

One variable may influence another without the influence being clear Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of generating good research questions?

To identify gaps in knowledge that are worth investigating Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a third-variable problem?

The influence of an unseen variable affecting both observed variables Signup and view all the answers

In the context of evaluating research questions, what does feasibility refer to?

The resources and conditions needed to effectively conduct the research Signup and view all the answers

Why is correlation not equivalent to causation?

Correlation indicates the degree of relationship rather than a cause-effect link Signup and view all the answers

What is an edited volume in research literature?

A book written by multiple authors covering a single topic Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following methods is commonly used to evaluate the interestingness of a research question?

Determining whether the answer fills a gap in the literature Signup and view all the answers

How are participants commonly recruited for studies, based on the content provided?

Via referrals from friends or family of existing participants Signup and view all the answers

What type of relationship does a positive correlation indicate?

Higher scores on one variable are associated with higher scores on another Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Basic Concepts

A variable is anything that can change or vary.
Quantitative variables are measured numerically and can be reported using statistics like frequency, mode, median, and mean.
Qualitative variables are described using words and involve categories.
An operational definition clearly describes exactly how a variable will be measured.
Sampling methods determine how researchers select participants to represent a larger population.

Sampling Methods

Simple random sampling gives each individual an equal chance of being selected.
Stratified random sampling divides the population into subgroups and then randomly selects participants from each subgroup.
Cluster random sampling uses randomly selected subgroups where every member of each selected subgroup is included in the study.
Systematic random sampling involves selecting the first participant randomly and then choosing every nth participant after that.
Convenience sampling uses readily available participants.
Voluntary response sampling relies on participants self-selecting to participate.
Snowball sampling uses referrals from existing participants to recruit more participants.

Statistical Relationships between Variables

Statistical relationships occur when two variables vary together systematically.
Differences between groups are often shown using bar graphs and involve comparing means or medians of variables.
Correlations between quantitative variables are presented using scatterplots.
Positive relationships show higher scores on one variable associated with higher scores on the other.
Negative relationships show higher scores on one variable associated with lower scores on the other.
Pearson's r measures the strength of a linear correlation between quantitative variables. A value of +1.00 represents the strongest positive relationship, -1.00 represents the strongest negative relationship, and 0 represents no relationship.
Correlation does not equal causation.

Independent and Dependent Variables

Independent variable is manipulated by the researcher and is thought to cause change in the dependent variable.
Dependent variable is the outcome variable being measured and affected by the independent variable.
Directionality problem makes it difficult to determine whether X causes Y or Y causes X.
Third-variable problem suggests a third variable Z could be influencing both X and Y.

Generating Good Research Questions

Generating interesting research questions involves finding gaps in the literature and considering their practical applications.
Feasibility depends on available resources, time, equipment, expertise, and access to participants.

Reviewing the Research Literature

Research literature encompasses all published research in a specific field.
Empirical articles, review articles, and theoretical articles are common types found in professional journals and scholarly books.
Double-blind peer review ensures quality and impartiality in scientific publications.
Monographs provide coherent presentations of a topic by a single author or group.
Edited volumes are collections of chapters by different authors on various aspects of a topic.

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Description

This quiz covers fundamental concepts in research methodology, focusing on different types of variables and sampling methods used in studies. You'll learn how to define variables operationally and explore various sampling techniques, including simple random sampling and stratified random sampling. Test your understanding and enhance your research skills!