Survey Research Methods

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Questions and Answers

What is a crucial aspect to consider when transitioning between sections in interviews?

Establishing rapport and obtaining valuable information (correct)

Avoiding sensitive topics

Maintaining objectivity throughout the interview

Manipulating variables to achieve desired outcomes

What is the purpose of warm-up questions in an interview?

To establish the interviewer's authority

To gather sensitive information

To introduce the main topic of discussion

To help respondents feel comfortable (correct)

What is an example of a structured question in an interview?

How did you feel about the recent election?

Why were you opposed to the first Persian Gulf War?

What do you think about the current economic situation?

At what age did you start smoking? (correct)

What is an advantage of using interviews in research?

Flexibility in pursuing various directions Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of using interviews in research?

Time-consuming nature of the process Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in developing an interview?

Purpose and Goals Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the 'ten commandments of interviewing'?

To ensure effective interviewing Signup and view all the answers

What is an alternative method of survey research beyond interviews?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in conducting survey research?

Defining the Research Problem Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of face-sheet information in an interview?

To aid in later analysis of the interview's main focus Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of descriptive research?

To describe current phenomena and their relationships with other factors Signup and view all the answers

Which type of research involves the manipulation of variables?

Experimental research Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of survey research?

It is a cost-effective and efficient way to study large populations Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of correlational studies?

To identify relationships between variables without inferring causation Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a survey research question?

What are parents' attitudes towards school punishment? Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between descriptive and experimental research?

Descriptive research does not involve the manipulation of variables, while experimental research does Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Critical Thinking Questionnaire?

To measure the effect of critical thinking instruction on students' reading comprehension Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary disadvantage of survey research?

It is susceptible to bias and sampling errors Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of survey research?

To gather data and draw meaningful conclusions Signup and view all the answers

What is a major advantage of survey research?

It provides a comprehensive view of a phenomenon Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential source of bias in survey research?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of correlational research?

To describe the relationship between two or more variables Signup and view all the answers

What is the correlation coefficient used to measure?

The degree of relatedness between variables Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a positive correlation?

The more you study, the better your grades Signup and view all the answers

What is important to note about correlations?

Correlations do not imply causality Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a correlation of -0.61 and +0.21?

The absolute value of the correlation indicates the strength of the relationship Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of seeking confirmation from alternative sources in survey research?

To ensure the validity of survey data Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a study that uses correlational research?

The relationship between sense of humor and positive psychological capacities Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of calculating the coefficient of determination?

To show how much of the variance in one variable can be explained by the variance in another variable Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the explained variance when the correlation coefficient increases from 0.4 to 0.5?

It increases by 9% Signup and view all the answers

What is the coefficient of alienation?

The percentage of variance unexplained by the correlation Signup and view all the answers

What does Figure 9.2 illustrate?

The curvilinear relationship between correlation and variance Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the correlation coefficient and the coefficient of determination?

The coefficient of determination is the square of the correlation coefficient Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between the correlation coefficient and the coefficient of determination?

The correlation coefficient shows the strength of the correlation, while the coefficient of determination shows the variance explained Signup and view all the answers

What is the direction of the relationship indicated by in a correlation?

Positive or negative Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common measure of the relationship between variables?

Pearson product-moment correlation Signup and view all the answers

What does a scattergram show?

A visual representation of the correlation coefficient Signup and view all the answers

What is the range of correlations?

-1 to 1 Signup and view all the answers

What does a strong positive correlation indicate?

A strong relationship between variables Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Pearson correlation coefficient?

To understand the relationship between variables Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of correlating a variable with itself?

A correlation coefficient of 1 Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to interpret the Pearson correlation coefficient?

It can be hard to understand on its own Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a correlation matrix?

To show the pairwise correlations between multiple variables Signup and view all the answers

What is the limitation of the eyeball method for interpreting the Pearson correlation coefficient?

It can be misleading if the sample size is large Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of descriptive research?

To describe current phenomena and their relationships with other factors Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of survey research?

It is a cost-effective way to collect data from a large population Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of correlational studies?

To describe relationships between variables without inferring causation Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a survey research question?

What are parents' attitudes toward school punishment? Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between descriptive and experimental research?

Descriptive research does not involve the manipulation of variables, while experimental research does Signup and view all the answers

What does a scattergram visually represent?

The relationship between two variables, showing scores in pairs Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Critical Thinking Questionnaire?

To measure the effect of critical thinking instruction on students' reading comprehension Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential source of bias in survey research?

The use of leading questions Signup and view all the answers

What is the Pearson correlation coefficient used to measure?

The strength of the relationship between two variables Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of non-experimental research methods?

To explore research questions without manipulating variables Signup and view all the answers

What does a correlation of +1 indicate?

A perfect positive correlation Signup and view all the answers

What is the range of correlations?

-1 to +1 Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of descriptive research, as described in the chapter?

To understand and describe current phenomena without manipulating variables Signup and view all the answers

What does a strong positive correlation indicate?

As one variable increases, the other variable increases Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of computing the Pearson correlation coefficient?

To understand the relationship between two variables Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of including neutral information, such as demographics, in an interview?

To provide context for the main focus of the interview Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential limitation of using unstructured questions in interviews?

They may not allow for clear and concise answers Signup and view all the answers

What is a correlation matrix?

A table showing the pairwise correlations between variables Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to rephrase questions in an interview if necessary?

To clarify the respondent's answers Signup and view all the answers

What does a negative correlation indicate?

As one variable increases, the other variable decreases Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of using mail questionnaires in survey research?

They are cost-effective and allow for a large sample size Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the literature review in developing an interview?

To review existing literature and previous interviews in the field Signup and view all the answers

What is a key consideration when conducting survey research?

Ensuring the sample is diverse and representative Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of conducting field testing in the development of an interview?

To test the interview with a similar audience and adjust based on feedback Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of survey research?

To provide a comprehensive view, allowing generalization of findings Signup and view all the answers

What is a major challenge in collecting survey data?

Establishing validity through alternative sources Signup and view all the answers

What does a correlational study aim to do?

Identify the relationship between two or more variables Signup and view all the answers

What is the correlation coefficient used to measure?

The degree of relatedness between two or more variables Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a positive correlation?

The relationship between the amount of time spent studying and the quality of grades Signup and view all the answers

What is important to note about correlations?

They do not imply causality between variables Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of seeking confirmation from alternative sources in survey research?

To establish the validity of the data Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a correlation of -0.61 and +0.21?

The absolute value of the correlation indicates the strength of the relationship Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of calculating the coefficient of determination?

To measure the amount of variance explained by the correlation Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the explained variance when the correlation coefficient increases from 0.4 to 0.7?

It increases by 22% Signup and view all the answers

What is the coefficient of alienation?

The amount of variance not explained by the correlation Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the correlation coefficient and the coefficient of determination?

The coefficient of determination is the square of the correlation coefficient Signup and view all the answers

What does Figure 9.2 illustrate?

The non-linear relationship between the correlation coefficient and the amount of variance explained Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of using the coefficient of determination?

It provides a more precise measurement of the amount of variance explained by the correlation Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of increasing the correlation coefficient from 0.4 to 0.5?

The explained variance increases by 9% Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the relationship between the correlation coefficient and the amount of variance explained?

It is non-linear Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Survey Research Methods

Definition: Survey research is a type of descriptive research that aims to describe current phenomena without manipulating variables.
Purpose: To understand and describe current phenomena, attitudes, beliefs, and opinions.

Types of Survey Research

Correlational Studies: Describe relationships between variables without inferring causation.
Interviews:
- Types:
  - Structured Questions: Clear, closed-ended questions with explicit answers.
  - Unstructured Questions: Open-ended questions allowing for broad responses.
- Advantages:
  - Flexibility
  - Observation of nonverbal behavior
  - Control over the tone and agenda
- Disadvantages:
  - Time-consuming
  - Potential bias
  - Lack of standardization

Conducting Interviews

Steps:
1. Purpose and Goals: Define the interview's purpose and desired outcomes.
2. Literature Review: Review existing literature and previous interviews in the field.
3. Sample Selection: Choose a diverse and representative sample.
4. Question Development: Create clear and concise questions, avoiding hidden agendas.
5. Field Testing: Test the interview with a similar audience and adjust based on feedback.
6. Interviewer Training: Train interviewers to be polite, attentive, and proactive.
7. Conducting Interviews: Allocate sufficient time and be assertive but respectful during interviews.

Correlational Research

Definition: A type of descriptive research that looks at the linear relationship between two or more variables without suggesting that one variable affects the other.
Purpose: To understand relationships between variables.
Examples:
- Relationship between multiple intelligences and metacognitive strategies in MA students of TEFL.
- Relationship among meta-memory, meta-cognitive vocabulary, and the role of theory of mind in Persian young children.

Correlation Coefficients

Definition: A numerical index that shows the strength of the relationship between two variables.
Types:
- Positive Correlation: As one variable increases, the other also increases.
- Negative Correlation: As one variable increases, the other decreases.
Important Points:
- Correlations are not causal.
- The strength of a correlation is measured by its absolute value, not its sign.

Scattergrams

Definition: A visual representation of the correlation coefficient between two variables, showing scores in pairs.
Purpose: To visualize the relationship between two variables.

Interpreting Correlation Coefficients

Methods:
1. Eyeball Method: Associating certain correlation values with a degree of relationship.
2. Coefficient of Determination: Squaring the correlation coefficient to show how much of the variance in one variable can be explained by the variance in another variable.

Survey Research Methods

Definition: Survey research is a type of descriptive research that aims to describe current phenomena without manipulating variables.
Purpose: To understand and describe current phenomena, attitudes, beliefs, and opinions.

Types of Survey Research

Correlational Studies: Describe relationships between variables without inferring causation.
Interviews:
- Types:
  - Structured Questions: Clear, closed-ended questions with explicit answers.
  - Unstructured Questions: Open-ended questions allowing for broad responses.
- Advantages:
  - Flexibility
  - Observation of nonverbal behavior
  - Control over the tone and agenda
- Disadvantages:
  - Time-consuming
  - Potential bias
  - Lack of standardization

Conducting Interviews

Steps:
1. Purpose and Goals: Define the interview's purpose and desired outcomes.
2. Literature Review: Review existing literature and previous interviews in the field.
3. Sample Selection: Choose a diverse and representative sample.
4. Question Development: Create clear and concise questions, avoiding hidden agendas.
5. Field Testing: Test the interview with a similar audience and adjust based on feedback.
6. Interviewer Training: Train interviewers to be polite, attentive, and proactive.
7. Conducting Interviews: Allocate sufficient time and be assertive but respectful during interviews.

Correlational Research

Definition: A type of descriptive research that looks at the linear relationship between two or more variables without suggesting that one variable affects the other.
Purpose: To understand relationships between variables.
Examples:
- Relationship between multiple intelligences and metacognitive strategies in MA students of TEFL.
- Relationship among meta-memory, meta-cognitive vocabulary, and the role of theory of mind in Persian young children.

Correlation Coefficients

Definition: A numerical index that shows the strength of the relationship between two variables.
Types:
- Positive Correlation: As one variable increases, the other also increases.
- Negative Correlation: As one variable increases, the other decreases.
Important Points:
- Correlations are not causal.
- The strength of a correlation is measured by its absolute value, not its sign.

Scattergrams

Definition: A visual representation of the correlation coefficient between two variables, showing scores in pairs.
Purpose: To visualize the relationship between two variables.

Interpreting Correlation Coefficients

Methods:
1. Eyeball Method: Associating certain correlation values with a degree of relationship.
2. Coefficient of Determination: Squaring the correlation coefficient to show how much of the variance in one variable can be explained by the variance in another variable.

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Description

Learn about survey research methods, including correlational studies and types of interviews, to understand and describe current phenomena, attitudes, and beliefs.