Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which sampling procedure relies on participants to point out or suggest additional informants that may be interested in participating in the study?
Which sampling procedure relies on participants to point out or suggest additional informants that may be interested in participating in the study?
Which of the following sampling techniques is best suited to ensure that the sample is representative of the larger population from which the sample is drawn?
Which of the following sampling techniques is best suited to ensure that the sample is representative of the larger population from which the sample is drawn?
Which non-probability sampling technique is best for ensuring representation of the American population?
Which non-probability sampling technique is best for ensuring representation of the American population?
Which of the following choices is NOT a non-probability sampling procedure?
Which of the following choices is NOT a non-probability sampling procedure?
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What is the method in which every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected?
What is the method in which every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected?
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Random selection of participants is generally a key component in which of the following types of sampling methods?
Random selection of participants is generally a key component in which of the following types of sampling methods?
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A researcher stands outside an entrance to the mall and asks various individuals to participate in a study to understand public perceptions about fear of crime. Which of the following sampling techniques is identified in this example?
A researcher stands outside an entrance to the mall and asks various individuals to participate in a study to understand public perceptions about fear of crime. Which of the following sampling techniques is identified in this example?
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What is the purpose of operationalization in research?
What is the purpose of operationalization in research?
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Which level of measurement represents the highest level of precision?
Which level of measurement represents the highest level of precision?
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What is the best example of the Ratio level of measurement when considering the variable 'AGE'?
What is the best example of the Ratio level of measurement when considering the variable 'AGE'?
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What type of experimental design ensures that neither the researchers nor the participants know who is in the experimental or control group?
What type of experimental design ensures that neither the researchers nor the participants know who is in the experimental or control group?
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Which statement is true regarding internal validity?
Which statement is true regarding internal validity?
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What threat to validity arises from not using randomization in sampling?
What threat to validity arises from not using randomization in sampling?
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Which issue is likely to occur when subjects realize which group they belong to during an experiment?
Which issue is likely to occur when subjects realize which group they belong to during an experiment?
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Which concept describes a potential drop in crime rates that may coincide with quarantine measures?
Which concept describes a potential drop in crime rates that may coincide with quarantine measures?
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Which term best describes the consistency of findings in research?
Which term best describes the consistency of findings in research?
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What factor is essential to ensure that observed relationships between variables are not influenced by other factors?
What factor is essential to ensure that observed relationships between variables are not influenced by other factors?
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What does a significant problem of internal invalidity impact in terms of research findings?
What does a significant problem of internal invalidity impact in terms of research findings?
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Which choice is necessary to clarify the causal relationship between the number of police officers and the crime rate?
Which choice is necessary to clarify the causal relationship between the number of police officers and the crime rate?
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Which choice indicates a negative relationship between two variables?
Which choice indicates a negative relationship between two variables?
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Which method of designing research involves making observations to test a theory?
Which method of designing research involves making observations to test a theory?
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Which choice is NOT mutually exclusive with regards to race/ethnicity?
Which choice is NOT mutually exclusive with regards to race/ethnicity?
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Which choice is mutually exhaustive with regards to race/ethnicity?
Which choice is mutually exhaustive with regards to race/ethnicity?
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What problem can arise from changes made to the questionnaire during data collection?
What problem can arise from changes made to the questionnaire during data collection?
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Which option represents a case where an increase in one variable leads to an increase in another?
Which option represents a case where an increase in one variable leads to an increase in another?
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Which term best describes a research method focused on individual cases?
Which term best describes a research method focused on individual cases?
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Study Notes
Experimental Designs
- A design in which researchers manipulate a variable to determine its effect on another variable
- Involves at least one experimental group and one control group
- Participants are randomly assigned to either group
- The control group does not receive the treatment, while the experimental group does
Non-Experimental Designs
- Research designs that do not involve manipulation of variables
- Used to describe relationships or differences between variables
- Cannot establish cause-and-effect relationships
- Types include correlational studies, surveys, and case studies
Sampling Techniques
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Probability sampling: Every member of the population has a known chance of being selected for the sample
- Simple random sampling: Each member of the population has an equal likelihood of being selected
- Systematic sampling: Every nth member of the population is selected
- Stratified sampling: The population is divided into subgroups (strata), and random samples are taken from each stratum
- Cluster sampling: The population is divided into clusters, and random samples of clusters are selected
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Non-probability sampling: Members of the population do not have a known chance of being selected for the sample
- Convenience sampling: Participants are selected based on their availability and accessibility
- Quota sampling: A sample is created that reflects the characteristics of the population in terms of proportions.
- Purposive sampling: Participants are selected based on specific characteristics or criteria
- Snowball sampling: Participants are recruited based on referrals from existing participants in the study
Internal Validity
- The extent to which a study or experiment measures what it is intended to measure
- Factors that can affect internal validity include extraneous variables and confounding variables, which are not part of the study's design, but can influence the results
- Ways to minimize threats to internal validity include random assignment of participants to groups, use of control groups, and appropriate data collection methods
External Validity
- The extent to which the findings of a study or experiment can be generalized to other populations or settings
- Factors affecting external validity include sample representativeness, experimental setting, and the characteristics of the participants.
- Threats to external validity can include artificiality of the experimental setting, sample characteristics, non-random sampling techniques, and other selection biases
Sampling Bias
- The tendency for a sample to differ from the population from which it was drawn in its characteristics or opinions
- Sampling bias can be caused by various factors, and it can lead to results that are not generalizable to the larger population
- Can include nonresponse bias and selection bias
Types of Research Questions
- Descriptive: Describe characteristics of a group. Examples include measuring the average income of a certain population group, determining the level of acceptance of a particular idea
- Comparative: Compare characteristics of two or more groups. Example: differences in attitudes towards a certain social media platform among males and females
- Relational: Examine the relationship between two or more variables. Example: examining how political affiliation is associated with voting patterns.
- Causal: Determine if a relationship is causal; one variable causes a change in another variable. Example: how increased advertising spending affects sales figures
Experimental Design Types
- Solomon four-group design: A control group and an experimental group are tested. A second control group and experimental group are tested only at the end.
Validity Threats in Research (Internal Validity)
- History: External events unrelated to the study's independent variable may affect the dependent variable
- Maturation: Changes in the participants' characteristics over time may affect the dependent variable
- Testing: The act of testing participants multiple times may influence their responses at later testing points
- Instrumentation: Changes in the measurement tools over the course of the study
- Mortality: Loss of participants from the study over time
External Validity Threats
- Selection bias: The participants selected for the study are not representative of the population of interest
- Interaction of selection and maturation: The combination of selection bias and maturation may affect the results
Reliability
- The consistency and repeatability of a measure.
- If a study produces the same results under similar conditions this shows high reliability. Conversely, low reliability means inconsistent results. Different factors influence reliability and can affect validity.
Rival Explanations
- Alternative explanations for observed relationships
- Can be eliminated through rigorous research design.
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Description
Explore various sampling techniques used in research through this informative quiz. Questions cover both probability and non-probability methods, helping to understand their applications and implications in effective research design. Test your knowledge on operationalization and methods ensuring representative samples.
