40 Questions
What is the primary goal of descriptive research?
To describe current phenomena and their relationships
What type of research is used to study the characteristics of populations directly?
Survey research
What is the purpose of correlational research?
To describe relationships between variables
What is an example of survey research?
A pre-election survey asking potential voters about their voting intentions
What is a characteristic of non-experimental research methods?
They do not involve manipulating variables
What is an example of a descriptive research question?
How many teachers use a specific teaching method?
What is the name of the questionnaire used in a study on the effect of critical thinking instruction through debate on students' reading comprehension?
Critical Thinking Questionnaire
What is a type of descriptive research?
Survey research
What is the primary purpose of including warm-up questions in an interview?
To establish rapport and obtain valuable information
What is a characteristic of structured questions in interviews?
They have clear and explicit answers
What is a potential disadvantage of using interviews in research?
They may introduce biases and lack anonymity
What is the primary goal of conducting a literature review in the development of an interview?
To review existing literature and previous interviews in the field
What is essential to do when seeking permission to record an interview?
Seek permission before using a tape recorder
What is a benefit of using interviews in research?
They allow for flexibility and pursuing various directions
What is the purpose of field testing in the development of an interview?
To test the interview with a similar audience and adjust based on feedback
What is an alternative method to interviews in survey research?
Telephone surveys
What is the primary purpose of establishing validity in survey research?
To seek confirmation from alternative sources
What is a major advantage of survey research?
It provides a comprehensive view, allowing generalization of findings
What is the primary goal of correlational research?
To describe the relationship between two or more variables
What is the correlation coefficient used to estimate?
The reliability of a test
What is indicated by a stronger correlation coefficient?
A stronger relationship between variables
What is an example of a positive correlation?
The more you study, the better your grades
What is important to note about correlations?
Correlations are not causal
What determines the strength of a correlation?
The absolute value of the correlation coefficient
What does the sign of the correlation indicate?
The direction of the relationship
What is the Pearson product-moment correlation symbolized as?
rxy
What is a scattergram?
A visual representation of the correlation coefficient between two variables
What does a 45° slope in a scattergram indicate?
A strong correlation
What is true about negative correlations?
As one variable increases, the other decreases
How many correlation coefficients are there for 𝑛 variables?
n taken two at a time
What is the correlation of a variable with itself?
1
What is the purpose of interpreting the Pearson correlation coefficient?
To understand the degree of relationship between variables
What is the coefficient of determination used to show?
How much of the variance in one variable can be explained by the variance in another variable
What happens to the amount of variance explained as the correlation gets stronger?
It increases disproportionately
What does a correlation of 0.40 have a coefficient of determination of?
0.16
What is the term for the amount of variance that is not explained by the correlation?
Coefficient of alienation
What does Figure 9.2 show?
The curved relationship between correlation and variance
What is the purpose of Table 9.4?
To show how the simple correlation coefficient and the coefficient of determination change
What is the result of increasing the correlation from 0.4 to 0.5?
A 9% increase in explained variance
What is the relationship between the correlation coefficient and the coefficient of determination?
The coefficient of determination is the square of the correlation coefficient
Study Notes
Survey Research Methods
- Definition: Survey research is a type of descriptive research that aims to describe current phenomena without manipulating variables.
- Purpose: To understand and describe current phenomena, attitudes, beliefs, and opinions.
Types of Survey Research
- Correlational Studies: Describe relationships between variables without inferring causation.
- Interviews:
- Types:
- Structured Questions: Clear, closed-ended questions with explicit answers.
- Unstructured Questions: Open-ended questions allowing for broad responses.
- Advantages:
- Flexibility
- Observation of nonverbal behavior
- Control over the tone and agenda
- Disadvantages:
- Time-consuming
- Potential bias
- Lack of standardization
- Types:
Conducting Interviews
- Steps:
- Purpose and Goals: Define the interview's purpose and desired outcomes.
- Literature Review: Review existing literature and previous interviews in the field.
- Sample Selection: Choose a diverse and representative sample.
- Question Development: Create clear and concise questions, avoiding hidden agendas.
- Field Testing: Test the interview with a similar audience and adjust based on feedback.
- Interviewer Training: Train interviewers to be polite, attentive, and proactive.
- Conducting Interviews: Allocate sufficient time and be assertive but respectful during interviews.
Correlational Research
- Definition: A type of descriptive research that looks at the linear relationship between two or more variables without suggesting that one variable affects the other.
- Purpose: To understand relationships between variables.
- Examples:
- Relationship between multiple intelligences and metacognitive strategies in MA students of TEFL.
- Relationship among meta-memory, meta-cognitive vocabulary, and the role of theory of mind in Persian young children.
Correlation Coefficients
- Definition: A numerical index that shows the strength of the relationship between two variables.
- Types:
- Positive Correlation: As one variable increases, the other also increases.
- Negative Correlation: As one variable increases, the other decreases.
- Important Points:
- Correlations are not causal.
- The strength of a correlation is measured by its absolute value, not its sign.
Scattergrams
- Definition: A visual representation of the correlation coefficient between two variables, showing scores in pairs.
- Purpose: To visualize the relationship between two variables.
Interpreting Correlation Coefficients
- Methods:
- Eyeball Method: Associating certain correlation values with a degree of relationship.
- Coefficient of Determination: Squaring the correlation coefficient to show how much of the variance in one variable can be explained by the variance in another variable.
Learn about survey research, correlational research, and non-experimental research methods. Understand the definition, advantages, and disadvantages of survey research and how to develop and use surveys.
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