Research Methods Quiz

Researchers must find the real causes of events, not just easy explanations.

Researchers need to carefully collect evidence from trustworthy sources.

Research to add new knowledge, develop theories.

Research to solve real-world problems, or apply theory.

Researchers are open-minded, flexible, and listen to others thoughtfully.

Research assessing the effectiveness of a practice, not creating new knowledge.

Research used for limited information, no prior solutions to similar problems; aims for better understanding before deep analysis.

A key condition motivating exploratory research; scarce knowledge about the subject of study.

Exploratory research often relies on this to understand previously conducted research.

An example of exploratory research; designed to understand quality of life aspects among specific individuals.

Describes a phenomenon or problem by identifying characteristics of related variables; answers questions like 'what, when, where, and how'.

Examines relationships between two or more variables, exploring potential connections without manipulating them.

Often uses quantitative data but can also incorporate qualitative data such as interviews or content analysis.

Cannot definitively prove cause-and-effect; can only identify potential relationships.

Examining the relationship between exam anxiety, academic major, and student academic level at a university.

Describes a phenomenon by identifying characteristics of related variables.

Identifies characteristics like age, social status, and education level.

Examines relationships between variables without influencing them.

Doesn't prove cause-and-effect, but suggests possible relationships for future study.

Differs in method of describing relationship between variables, but can be seen as a type of descriptive research.

Investigates the cause-and-effect relationships between variables. Aims to answer 'why?' questions.

The variable that is changed or manipulated in an experiment to observe its effect on another variable.

The variable that is measured or observed in an experiment to see how it is affected by the independent variable.

Research that uses numerical data to describe or test hypotheses about a population.

Gathering numerical information like surveys, experiments, or tests.

Information gathered in qualitative research, focuses on opinions, ideas, and actions rather than numbers.

Choosing a small group of participants for qualitative research, focusing on specific characteristics relevant to the study.

Qualitative research focuses on exploration, history, and documentation, aiming to understand complex issues.

Analyzing the information gathered in qualitative research, like interview transcripts, documents, or observations, to uncover patterns and meaning.

Qualitative research focuses on deep understanding of opinions and experiences, while quantitative research uses numbers and data to measure and test.