Research Questions: Characteristics and Importance

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary characteristic of descriptive research design?

It explores relationships between variables.

It purely describes the situation without exploring causes. (correct)

It focuses on predictions based on variable combinations.

It manipulates variables to determine effects.

Why might a researcher choose a correlational research design?

To provide subjective insights into participants' behaviors.

To scale research effortlessly without variable manipulation. (correct)

To confirm causation between variables.

To create an experimental setup for hypothesis testing.

Which of the following statements is true about correlational research design?

It can establish clear causality between variables.

It identifies relationships between variables without manipulation. (correct)

It focuses exclusively on qualitative data.

It is ineffective for predicting outcomes.

In descriptive research, what type of data is typically collected?

Quantitative or qualitative ratings describing the situation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of data collection?

To make informed decisions based on relevant facts Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of correlational research design?

It cannot establish causality between variables. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following data collection methods is considered a primary method?

Conducting surveys and questionnaires Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of primary data collection?

It involves collecting original data firsthand Signup and view all the answers

Which example illustrates the use of descriptive research design?

Surveying adolescents about smartphone usage to gather ratings. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects changes in data collection methods over time?

There is now more data available than a century ago. Signup and view all the answers

What statistical method is commonly used in correlational research to assess relationships?

Statistical tests to assess relationships between variables. Signup and view all the answers

What outcome is primarily sought by descriptive research?

To generate insight by characterizing a research problem. Signup and view all the answers

What type of interviews allows for flexibility in questions?

Semi-structured interviews Signup and view all the answers

How have technological advancements influenced data collection?

They have led to the development of new data collection methods. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does not represent a method of primary data collection?

Library archival research Signup and view all the answers

What role do statistics play in data collection?

They help in analyzing and interpreting data. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant limitation of quasi-experimental research designs compared to experimental designs?

They are unable to establish causality between variables. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of data collection in research?

To evaluate outcomes, answer questions, and find research problem solutions. Signup and view all the answers

Which question should a researcher NOT consider before collecting data?

How many participants need to be assigned randomly? Signup and view all the answers

Which type of data includes descriptions like color, size, and quality?

Qualitative data Signup and view all the answers

How does quasi-experimental research benefit researchers despite its limitations?

It can often be undertaken on a much larger scale. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a phase in the data collection process?

Determining data analysis techniques Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for a researcher to understand the limitations of quasi-experimental designs?

To conduct the study as rigorously as possible. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main types of data in research?

Qualitative and Quantitative Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a research question?

To guide the research direction and objectives Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is essential for a good research question?

Being specific and focused on a narrow topic Signup and view all the answers

How should a well-formulated research question be framed?

To allow for analysis and debate Signup and view all the answers

Why should a research question be concise?

It helps to express main ideas clearly and succinctly Signup and view all the answers

What might indicate that a research question is too broad?

It requires considering many factors or variables Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean for a research question to be testable?

It is open to scrutiny and allows for counterarguments Signup and view all the answers

What could happen if a research question is too vague?

It could lead to the identification of an alternate hypothesis Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the importance of clarity in a research question?

It allows readers to easily understand the study's purpose Signup and view all the answers

What does validity refer to in research?

The degree to which the method measures what it intends to measure. Signup and view all the answers

High reliability in a measurement suggests what about its validity?

It may indicate potential validity. Signup and view all the answers

In an example where a thermometer shows varying temperatures under controlled conditions, what does this indicate?

The thermometer may be malfunctioning. Signup and view all the answers

Why is validity considered more important than reliability?

Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of observational research?

To record behaviors without intervention. Signup and view all the answers

Which method is used to explore opinions and perceptions in a group setting?

Focus Groups Signup and view all the answers

What defines secondary data collection?

Using existing data for a different purpose. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a source of secondary data?

Conducting new experiments Signup and view all the answers

What type of interview tool involves prompting respondents with words to gauge their immediate thoughts?

Word Association Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of publicly available data?

Data shared on social media platforms Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of using the sentence completion tool during interviews?

To understand the respondent's ideas and thoughts. Signup and view all the answers

What type of primary research involves altering variables to determine their effects?

Experiments Signup and view all the answers

What does high validity in a research method indicate?

The method measures the intended construct accurately. Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario demonstrates a situation where a measurement may be reliable but not valid?

A calibrated thermometer always shows a temperature lower than the actual. Signup and view all the answers

Why might a symptom questionnaire yield different diagnoses when used by multiple doctors?

The questionnaire lacks high reliability. Signup and view all the answers

What is a reason validating a method can be more challenging than assessing reliability?

Validity requires comparison to established standards. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a method that has low validity?

It reflects properties that are unrelated to the intended measure. Signup and view all the answers

How can the reliability of a measurement be assessed?

By comparing results across different versions of the same measurement. Signup and view all the answers

What might indicate that a working memory test has low validity?

It reflects participants' comprehension levels instead. Signup and view all the answers

What does the malfunction of a thermometer indicate about its validity?

It does not provide accurate readings of the actual temperature. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

LECTURE 1: Research Questions

A research question is the core question a study aims to answer.
A clear research question focuses the research, stating precisely what needs investigation.
Good research questions guide writing a hypothesis and objectives for a thesis, dissertation, or research paper.
They provide clarity to the writing and help readers understand the research topic and objectives.
Before creating a research paper, and often before a study, a concise statement of the study's goals is written.

LECTURE 1: Characteristics of a Good Research Question

A good research question offers clear and specific details, allowing readers to understand the purpose.
The question's scope needs to be focused and narrow to fit the paper's length.
The question should be concise, expressing main ideas in few words, like in a hypothesis.
The question needs depth and precision; it can't simply be answered with a 'yes' or 'no.' Further analysis of arguments and evidence is required.
The question should be arguable or testable, open to scrutiny and further investigation with specific questions and counterarguments.

LECTURE 1: Specific and Focused Research Questions

Research questions that are too broad or include too many factors or variables are inappropriate for a single study.
A sample data set that is too large or an excessively long experimental timeline can indicate a question is too broad or unfocused.
A precise research question brings together data and observations to either support or refute a hypothesis.
A vague research question can lead to a different research problem or hypothesis overlooked in the introduction.
Examples for a broad vs. focused research question are provided.

LECTURE 1: Research Questions Based on Literature

Effective research questions are answerable and verifiable based on existing research.
Research should be grounded in existing academic consensus.
Conspiracy theories or unsupported ideas are not appropriate for research paper topics.
Research questions must align with and be searchable within established research.
Examples of research questions based and not based on literature are provided.

LECTURE 1: Realistic Research Questions

Research questions must be realistic in terms of time, scope, and budget.
The procedures and timeframe must realistically be achievable for a student or lab technician.
Research requiring future technology, expensive resources, or follow-up studies is problematic.
Research at large universities is frequently publicly funded, requiring adherence to budget and timeframe restrictions.
Examples are provided for unrealistic and realistic research questions.

LECTURE 1: In-Depth Research Questions

Research papers, theses, and dissertations are usually long (dozens or hundreds of pages), requiring in-depth research questions.
A good research question must be complex enough to warrant this length, withstanding peer review and replicability by other researchers.
Examples of superficial and in-depth research questions are presented.

LECTURE 2: Defining Hypothesis

A hypothesis is a preliminary, educated guess about a research's outcome.
It's derived from a problem question and expresses the researcher's expected explanation.
A hypothesis should offer a statement supported by a justification or clarification.
It pinpoints the key variables under investigation and details the relationship between them.

LECTURE 2: Usage of the Term Hypothesis

Originally, "hypothesis" referred to a clever idea or a helpful mathematical approach.
Modern usage defines a hypothesis as a provisional idea requiring evaluation.

LECTURE 2: Problems vs. Hypotheses

A research problem is typically a question.
A hypothesis answers that question by suggesting a possible solution.
A problem cannot usually be tested; a hypothesis can be tested, proven/disproven.
Both hypotheses and problems contribute to knowledge, either supporting or opposing existing theories.
A hypothesis should be formulated after stating the problem and reviewing the research related to it.
A hypothesis is formulated when a researcher entirely understands the theory and evidence surrounding the problem.

LECTURE 2: Purpose & Function of a Hypothesis

A hypothesis explains relationships between variables that can be empirically tested.
It shows the researcher possesses a sufficient background for suggesting new knowledge.
It steers the investigation and gives continuity to the research process.

LECTURE 2: Characteristics of a Hypothesis

A hypothesis needs explanatory power, explaining the phenomenon under investigation.
It must be verifiable, with methods in place for testing and measurement.
Stating the hypothesis should use simple, understandable language.
A hypothesis must correspond to and align with existing knowledge.

LECTURE 2: Types of Hypotheses

Hypotheses are classified based on how they're derived (inductive or deductive) or their nature (research hypothesis, statistical/null hypothesis).
Inductive hypotheses are based on observations, while deductive hypotheses begin with established facts or previous knowledge.
A research hypothesis suggests a particular relationship between variables.
A statistical/null hypothesis posits a lack of relationship between variables.

LECTURE 2: Formulating a Research Hypothesis

Research questions direct the formulation of research hypotheses.
Defining variables and their associations (relationships or differences) are essential for formulating a hypothesis.
Hypotheses are testable statements, often including predictions about how variables interact.
Examples are provided of hypotheses written in a testable, prediction-focus manner.

LECTURE 2: How Hypotheses Are Written

Hypotheses use tentative words like "may," suggesting possible relationships.
Clearly worded hypotheses explain how a researcher will prove it.
In contrast, simple predictions are not hypotheses.
Examples illustrate appropriate/inappropriate formulations.

LECTURE 2: Formalized Hypotheses

Formal hypotheses contain "if...then" statements, defining the relationship between variables.
Examples define formalized hypotheses and illustrate a relationship is possible.

LECTURE 3: Research Design

Research design details the overall plan and strategy that guides a research project.
A good research design serves as a roadmap.
It should include methods for data collection, ensuring reliability and validity.
It's important to choose the appropriate design, considering research aims, objectives, and available resources.

LECTURE 3: Purpose of Research Design Considerations

Without proper planning, research risks using misaligned methods in data collection, sample selection, and analysis.

LECTURE 3: Categorization of Research Design

Some sources define research design by the data type (qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods).
Other sources view research design as the set of participant and data collection choices made.

LECTURE 3: Quantitative Research Designs

Quantitative research collects and analyzes numerical data.
Descriptive, correlational, experimental, and quasi-experimental designs are common types.

LECTURE 3: Descriptive Research Design

Descriptive designs aim to describe existing conditions, behaviors, or characteristics.
There is no researcher intervention during data collection; instead, data is gathered.
Example scenarios are provided.
This design aims solely to describe existing conditions; it doesn't investigate relationships or causes.
Descriptive research is useful for gaining initial insights and often precedes other research designs.

LECTURE 3: Correlational Research Design

Correlational studies investigate relationships between variables without manipulating them directly.
They explore if changes in one thing tend to be associated with changes in another.
Example scenarios demonstrating correlational studies, and their use, are provided.
Discovering relationships, not causality, is the goal.

LECTURE 3: Experimental Research Design

Experimental design is used to establish causal relationships between variables.
The study manipulates one variable and controls other variables to see its effect on the outcome variable.
Example scenarios demonstrating experimental research methodology and its use are provided.

LECTURE 3: Quasi-Experimental Research Design

Quasi-experimental designs are used when random assignment of participants to groups is not possible (due to ethical or practical reasons).
Instead, researchers rely on existing groups or pre-established conditions.
Example scenarios are provided.

LECTURE 4: Data Collection

Data collection involves gathering information.
The process is critical in every type of research, including social science, business, and healthcare, informing analysis and decisions.
Data collection methods must be appropriate to the type of data collected (qualitative or quantitative).
Data collection heavily relies on different research, commercial, and governmental sources.

LECTURE 4: Prior Questions in Data Collection

To begin data collection, analysts must answer these three questions:
What is the research's purpose?
What kind of data needs gathering?
What methods for collection, storage, and processing will be used?
Qualitative data describes characteristics like color or size; quantitative data uses numbers (statistics, percentages).

LECTURE 4: Why Data Collection?

Informed decisions and effective plans begin with detailed data.
Data collection, even for a court case or battle plan, is fundamental to effective actions.
The modern world, with its abundance of data, necessitates evolving data collection methods.

LECTURE 4: Data Collection Methods

Different methods for collecting data (e.g., surveys, interviews, observations, experiments, focus groups) exist.
Data collection methods can be categorized to better organize the types (e.g., primary and secondary).

LECTURE 4: Primary Data Collection

Primary data techniques collect original information directly from the source.
This usually involves direct interaction with study participants/respondents, and can include: surveys, interviews, observations, experiments, or focus groups.

LECTURE 4: Secondary Data Collection

Secondary data collection analyzes data already collected for a different purpose.
Sources of secondary data include books, journals, government reports, online databases, and publicly available information.

LECTURE 4: Data Collection Tools

Specific tools, like word association exercises, sentence completion, and role-playing, help in gathering information or understanding study participants.
More examples include: in-person surveys, online surveys, mobile surveys, telephone surveys, or observation methods.

LECTURE 5: Reliability and Validity

Reliability and validity assess research quality.
Reliability measures consistency; validity measures accuracy.
Poor methodology, or poor control over bias, can affect both reliability and validity.

LECTURE 5: Reliability and Validity in Research

Reliability and validity are important concepts for evaluating the effectiveness of a study. Using poor methodologies can lead to research bias.
These concepts give insights into how well a methodology or technique measures what is intended.

LECTURE 5: Different Aspects of Validity

Construct Validity: Measures how well a method aligns with existing theories of the concept being measured.
Criterion Validity: Measures how accurately a method corresponds to other valid measures of the same concept.

LECTURE 5: Reliability and Validity in a Thesis/Dissertation

Reliability and validity discussions should appear strategically in different sections of the academic paper.
Demonstrating awareness of reliability and validity in research planning, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion strengthens the paper.

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Description

This quiz explores the essential aspects of research questions, outlining their significance in guiding research efforts. You'll learn about the traits that make a research question effective and how it shapes the direction of academic writing. Test your understanding of what constitutes a good research question.