108 Questions
What is the primary purpose of quantitative research?
To collect and analyze numerical data
Which type of research is characterized by the researcher being the primary data-gathering instrument?
Qualitative research
What is a key advantage of quantitative research?
It is time-efficient and able to test hypotheses
What is a key characteristic of qualitative research design?
It emerges as the study unfolds
What type of data is typically analyzed in quantitative research?
Numerical data
What is the primary focus of qualitative research?
To explore the underlying meanings of a phenomenon
What is the primary goal of nursing research?
To create or discover knowledge that will enhance nursing practice, education and administration
What is the fundamental characteristic of quantitative research?
Emphasis on collecting numerical data and drawing inferences
What type of research design is focused on exploring the relationships between variables?
Correlational design
What is the purpose of a feasibility study in research?
To determine the practicality of a larger study
What is the primary distinction between quantitative and qualitative research methodologies?
The philosophical perspective underlying the research
What is the role of an intelligent reader of research findings?
To recognize the design used in a study and evaluate its suitability
What type of sampling is used in qualitative research, where participants are chosen based on their knowledge of the phenomenon being studied?
Purposive sampling
What is the primary responsibility of a researcher in a qualitative study?
To look and listen
What is the main characteristic of qualitative research that distinguishes it from quantitative research?
Collection of subjective narrative material
What was qualitative research previously referred to as?
Soft science
What is the focus of qualitative research?
Words, feelings, emotions, and other non-numerical elements
What type of research is based on the analysis of numerical data?
Quantitative research
What is the term for the entire set of individuals or elements that meet the specified criteria in a research study?
Population
What is the primary reason for sampling in research?
To ensure that the sample is representative of the population
What is the term for the population in research to which the researchers can apply their conclusions?
Accessible population
What is the term for a research design that involves gathering both numeric and text information?
Mixed method design
What is the term for the process of selecting a subset of the population for a research study?
Sampling
What is the term for the site and setting for the research study?
Research setting
What is the term for the population that can be accessed for the study?
Study population
What is the primary purpose of specifying a sampling method in the research design?
To ensure the sample is representative of the population
What is the key characteristic of probability sampling methods?
Every element of the population has a probability higher than zero of being selected
What is the main reason for using sampling in research?
To make predictions about behavioral outcomes
What is the first step in the sampling process?
Define the study population
What is the primary advantage of using probability sampling methods?
They increase the representativeness of the sample
What is the technical name for the actual list of elements from which the sample will be chosen?
Sampling frame
What is the primary reason for selecting a sample instead of studying the entire population?
Because it's seldom possible to study an entire population unless it is particularly small
What is the term for mutually exclusive segments of the population based on one or more characteristics?
Strata
What is the term for the process of selecting a portion of the population to represent the entire population?
Sampling
What is the term for the probability of getting an un-representative sample by chance?
Sampling error
What is the standard distance between the elements chosen for the sample?
Sample interval
What is the main characteristic of simple random sampling?
Each element in the population has an equal chance of being selected
What is the primary purpose of stratified random sampling?
To ensure representativeness in the sample
Which type of sampling involves selecting large groups or clusters?
Cluster sampling
What is the advantage of using stratified random sampling?
It ensures representativeness in the sample
What is the term for the list of elements from which the sample will be chosen?
Sample frame
What is the primary advantage of using probability sampling methods?
It ensures representativeness in the sample
What is the primary difference between one-stage and two-stage cluster sampling methods?
One-stage sampling involves selecting all elements within selected clusters, while two-stage sampling involves selecting a subset of elements within selected clusters.
What is the main advantage of using stratified sampling over cluster sampling?
Stratified sampling reduces sampling error.
What is the key characteristic of systematic sampling that makes it an 'equal probability of selection' (EPS) design?
Every element in the population has the same probability of selection.
What is the primary goal of using cluster sampling in research?
To reduce costs of gathering data.
What is the main difference between stratified sampling and cluster sampling?
Stratified sampling is used to reduce sampling error, while cluster sampling is used to reduce costs of gathering data.
What is the key distinction between simple random sampling and systematic sampling?
Simple random sampling involves selecting a random sample, while systematic sampling involves selecting every 'Nth' case.
What is the primary advantage of using cluster sampling over other probability sampling methods?
It is more efficient in collecting data from a specific geographic area
What is the main difference between simple random sampling and stratified random sampling?
Stratified random sampling divides the population into subgroups, while simple random sampling does not
What is the primary characteristic of systematic random sampling?
The sample is selected at fixed intervals from the population
What is the main advantage of using probability sampling methods?
They increase the representativeness of the sample
What is the primary difference between probability and non-probability sampling methods?
In probability sampling, every element has a known probability of being selected, while in non-probability sampling, the selection is based on convenience or expertise
What is the primary purpose of specifying a sampling method in a research study?
To ensure the representativeness of the sample
What is the primary purpose of dividing the population into strata in stratified random sampling?
To group elements with similar characteristics to achieve representativeness
What is the primary difference between cluster sampling and stratified random sampling?
Cluster sampling involves dividing the population into smaller groups, while stratified sampling involves dividing the population into subgroups based on characteristics
What is the primary advantage of using systematic sampling over simple random sampling?
Systematic sampling provides a more accurate representation of the population
What is the primary disadvantage of using probability sampling methods?
It is time-consuming and expensive
What is the primary purpose of random assignment in research?
To assign participants to different treatment groups
What is the primary characteristic of a sample frame in simple random sampling?
It is a list of elements that are representative of the population
What is the primary purpose of specifying the study population in the sampling process?
To define the sampling frame
What is the key difference between stratified sampling and cluster sampling?
Stratified sampling involves dividing the population into smaller groups, while cluster sampling involves selecting large groups or clusters
What is the primary characteristic of systematic sampling?
The sample is selected based on a specific pattern or sequence
What is the primary purpose of random assignment in research?
To reduce bias in the sample
What is a primary disadvantage of probability sampling methods?
They may not be representative of the population
What is the primary advantage of specifying a sampling plan in the research design?
It makes the research more efficient and practical
What is the primary advantage of using quota sampling over convenience sampling?
It reduces bias and increases representativeness
What is the primary disadvantage of using probability sampling methods?
They can be expensive and time-consuming
What is the primary difference between stratified sampling and cluster sampling?
Stratified sampling involves dividing the population into subgroups, while cluster sampling involves selecting large groups or clusters
What is the primary purpose of using systematic sampling?
To ensure that the sample is representative of the population
What is the primary advantage of using random assignment in research?
It reduces bias in the selection of groups
What is the primary characteristic of probability sampling methods?
They allow for the estimation of sampling errors
What is the primary advantage of using probability sampling methods?
Allows for estimation of sampling errors
Which type of non-probability sampling method involves selecting subjects who are readily available?
Convenience sampling
What is the primary purpose of using snowball sampling?
To select subjects with specific characteristics
What is the primary advantage of using non-probability sampling methods?
Reduces the cost and time required for sampling
What is the key advantage of probability sampling methods in terms of prediction?
Making predictions about behavioral outcomes with known accuracy
What is the primary purpose of sampling in research?
To select a subset of the population that is representative of the entire population
What is the primary advantage of quota sampling over convenience sampling?
Works better to reduce bias
What is the primary advantage of non-probability sampling methods?
Efficiency and practicality
What is the primary characteristic of snowball sampling?
Recruiting participants through referrals from existing participants
What is the primary purpose of sampling in research?
To make predictions about behavioral outcomes with known accuracy
What is the primary advantage of non-probability sampling methods over probability sampling methods?
Greater flexibility in sample selection
What is the primary disadvantage of probability sampling methods?
Increased workload for the researcher
What is the primary advantage of using non-probability sampling methods over probability sampling methods?
They are often more convenient and economical
What is the primary purpose of snowball sampling?
To recruit participants with unique access or knowledge about the group being studied
What is the primary advantage of using probability sampling methods?
They provide a more accurate representation of the target population
What is the primary purpose of sampling in research?
To estimate a characteristic of the population
What is the primary disadvantage of using non-probability sampling methods?
They provide a less accurate representation of the target population
What is the primary advantage of using snowball sampling over other non-probability sampling methods?
It creates a 'snowball effect' that enlarges the sample size over time
What is the primary purpose of specifying a sample size in the research design?
To determine the resources needed for the study
What is the term for the process of dividing a population into mutually exclusive groups based on one or more characteristics?
Stratification
What is the primary source of bias in sampling?
The sampling method
What is the primary difference between a study population and a theoretical population?
The study population is a subset of the theoretical population
What is the primary advantage of using probability sampling methods?
They provide a more accurate representation of the population
What is the primary purpose of sampling in research?
To make predictions about the population
What is the primary advantage of using cluster sampling in research?
To reduce the cost of gathering data
What is the primary difference between stratified and cluster sampling?
Stratified sampling involves selecting subgroups with similar characteristics, while cluster sampling involves selecting clusters of elements
What is the purpose of stratifying the population in stratified random sampling?
To ensure that the sample is representative of the population
What is the primary advantage of using systematic sampling over simple random sampling?
Systematic sampling has an equal probability of selection
What is the primary disadvantage of using cluster sampling?
It can lead to sampling bias
What is the primary purpose of using a sample frame in sampling?
To create a list of elements from which to select the sample
What is the primary purpose of using a sample frame in simple random sampling?
To reduce sampling bias by ensuring each element has an equal chance of being selected
Which type of sampling is used when the researcher knows some of the variables in the population that are critical to achieving representativeness?
Stratified random sampling
What is the primary advantage of using stratified random sampling over simple random sampling?
It allows for a more accurate representation of the population
What is the primary purpose of dividing the population into strata in stratified random sampling?
To group elements that belong to a specific category
What is the primary characteristic of cluster sampling?
It requires successive random sampling units
What is the primary consequence of not dividing the population into strata in stratified random sampling?
It can lead to a biased sample
Test your understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods, including data collection techniques, researcher roles, and objectives. Learn to distinguish between these two fundamental approaches in research.
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