Research Methods in Science Lectures

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Questions and Answers

What kind of research design is typically used when exploring a causal relationship between variables?

Comparative

Descriptive

Experimental (correct)

Correlational

Which of the following is NOT a key element of a theoretical framework?

Representation of relationships between concepts

Simplified representation of reality

Detailed description of the research methodology (correct)

Measurement of key concepts from the research question

What type of hypothesis is typically employed in a study aiming to determine the strength of the relationship between two variables?

Descriptive

Non-relational

Causal

Correlational (correct)

What type of question typically leads to a non-relational hypothesis?

Descriptive (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a valid approach to operationalize a concept in a research study?

Defining the concept based on personal opinion (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a research question in a research study?

To define the scope of the research problem (B) Signup and view all the answers

What type of research design is most appropriate for investigating the causal relationship between a change in an intervention and a subsequent change in behavior?

Experimental (C) Signup and view all the answers

What type of question typically leads to a causal hypothesis?

Predictive (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary distinction between primary and secondary data?

Primary data is original data collected for a specific study, while secondary data is obtained from previous research. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a responsibility of the institution according to the Dutch Code of Scientific Integrity?

Protecting the integrity and safety of participants. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which group is NOT considered a stakeholder in research?

Regulatory bodies (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of ethical norm-setting in research?

It enhances the professionalism of researchers and their organizations. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of existing data includes administrative records such as municipal permit applications?

Secondary data (D) Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes nominal measurement levels?

They lack any order of values. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an interval measurement level?

Temperature in degrees Celsius (B) Signup and view all the answers

In an operationalization process, which aspect is immediately defined after the concept?

Indicators (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key requirement for formulating hypotheses in research?

Hypotheses must be empirically observable. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which criterion is NOT part of the definition requirements for concepts?

Inclusion of subjective interpretations (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does a 'natural zero point' signify in ratio measurement levels?

It means that zero represents the absence of the quantity being measured. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes ordinal measurement levels?

Values are ordered without equal spaces. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the final product of the operationalization process?

Variables (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in designing a formal interview?

Formulate (sub)research questions (A) Signup and view all the answers

What should an interview blueprint operationalize?

The research question into interview questions (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the content analysis method?

It is limited to textual data (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which option best describes an unstandardized method in contrast to qualitative data?

Allowing for more flexibility in how questions are asked (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the assessment criteria for respondent answers in an interview?

Comprehensiveness (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of pilot testing an interview guide?

To refine the interview questions and structure (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which response option illustrates a NOT clear answer in an interview?

I don't know how to answer that. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of content analysis focuses on quantifying the data collected?

Quantitative content analysis (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of trend research when analyzing individual developments?

It does not provide insight into individual changes. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant challenge in panel research due to non-responsiveness?

It affects external validity. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a cohort study?

It analyzes a group with a shared characteristic over time. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a cohort effect in longitudinal research?

Differences in experiences within a specific group. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In panel studies, what is meant by 'panel mortality'?

Participants permanently leaving the study. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of research design primarily focuses on understanding phenomena in natural settings?

Case study design. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a period effect in longitudinal research?

Changes resulting from a global pandemic affecting all subjects. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a crucial disadvantage of selectivity in dropout rates during longitudinal studies?

It complicates understanding individual changes. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is one advantage of using existing data in research?

Facilitates replication of original research (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which research design allows for the manipulation of variables by the researcher?

Experimental study (C) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes longitudinal studies from cross-sectional studies?

Longitudinal studies involve multiple measurements over time. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common issue when working with existing data?

Data may lack reliability and validity. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'triangulation' in qualitative research?

Incorporating different data collection methods and sources (B) Signup and view all the answers

A primary disadvantage of utilizing secondary analysis is:

The researcher lacks control over the data collection process. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What type of hypothesis is typically associated with cross-sectional research designs?

Descriptive comparative hypothesis (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern regarding measurement validity in research?

Determining whether the study measures what it aims to measure. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Lecture Summaries

Lecture 1 discusses the characteristics of science, focusing on empirical-analytic and empirical-interpretive approaches.
Lecture 1 also defines what science is, listing key features like empirical data, systematic methodologies, and cumulative knowledge.
Lecture 2 covers the components of a research plan, including a literature review, a problem statement, and an explanation of different research types.
Lecture 2 highlights the importance of establishing research questions and sub-questions.
Lecture 2 also emphasizes the relationship between these concepts.
Lecture 3 describes the steps of operationalization to create workable measures of concepts for research questions.
Lecture 3 focuses on how to operationalize research concepts and creating precise measures for research.
Lecture 4 discusses different types of research designs, including cross-sectional, longitudinal, and panel designs, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and when each should be used in the research context.
Lecture 5 discusses the concept of confounding, detailing strategies for handling confounding variables in research.
Lecture 6 provides examples of research questions related to various research designs.
Lecture 6 examines the differences between qualitative and quantitative research approaches and their corresponding research questions.
Lecture 7 explains how to use existing data for research.
Lecture 7 distinguishes between primary and secondary data and lists the advantages and disadvantages of using secondary data.

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Description

This quiz covers key concepts from the first four lectures on research methods in science. It discusses the characteristics of science, components of research plans, operationalization of research concepts, and various research designs. Understand the relationships between these concepts and their importance in scientific inquiry.