Podcast
Questions and Answers
Positive correlation indicates that as one variable increases, the other variable decreases.
Positive correlation indicates that as one variable increases, the other variable decreases.
False
What is a key difference between a literature summary and a literature review?
What is a key difference between a literature summary and a literature review?
Define the role of a control group in experimental design.
Define the role of a control group in experimental design.
A control group serves as a benchmark to measure the effects of the independent variable against.
In a classical experiment, the _____ variable is manipulated to observe its effect on the _____ variable.
In a classical experiment, the _____ variable is manipulated to observe its effect on the _____ variable.
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Match the following types of relationships to their definitions:
Match the following types of relationships to their definitions:
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What does it mean to operationally define variables in an experiment?
What does it mean to operationally define variables in an experiment?
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Which of the following is NOT a requirement for a well-designed experiment?
Which of the following is NOT a requirement for a well-designed experiment?
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Qualitative data can provide depth to quantitative results during research.
Qualitative data can provide depth to quantitative results during research.
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Which type of research primarily emphasizes exploratory objectives?
Which type of research primarily emphasizes exploratory objectives?
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Validity and reliability are more crucial in qualitative research than in quantitative research.
Validity and reliability are more crucial in qualitative research than in quantitative research.
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What is a primary goal of a descriptive study?
What is a primary goal of a descriptive study?
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A __________ study seeks to uncover relationships between two or more aspects of a situation.
A __________ study seeks to uncover relationships between two or more aspects of a situation.
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Match the type of research with its corresponding characteristic:
Match the type of research with its corresponding characteristic:
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Which component is NOT a part of the quantitative research approach?
Which component is NOT a part of the quantitative research approach?
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Control groups are essential in establishing causal relationships in experimental research.
Control groups are essential in establishing causal relationships in experimental research.
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What is the primary difference between a literature review and a summary in research?
What is the primary difference between a literature review and a summary in research?
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What is the purpose of a control group in an experiment?
What is the purpose of a control group in an experiment?
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Internal validity ensures that conclusions drawn from an experiment are accurate.
Internal validity ensures that conclusions drawn from an experiment are accurate.
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What formula calculates the net treatment effect?
What formula calculates the net treatment effect?
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The __________ effect occurs when participants report real improvement after taking a fake treatment.
The __________ effect occurs when participants report real improvement after taking a fake treatment.
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Match the terms with their definitions:
Match the terms with their definitions:
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Which of the following is a disadvantage of close-ended questions?
Which of the following is a disadvantage of close-ended questions?
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Randomization eliminates bias when assigning subjects to groups.
Randomization eliminates bias when assigning subjects to groups.
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What challenges arise from conducting an experiment without a control group?
What challenges arise from conducting an experiment without a control group?
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Study Notes
Reasons for Research
- Helps to understand problems and phenomena.
- Facilitates knowledge transfer.
- Examines aspects of an issue in detail.
- Promotes good practices and facilitates change.
- Finds answers to theoretical questions.
- Provides policy suggestions and encourages social innovation.
Research Questions
- A well-defined research question is crucial for guiding your study.
- It defines the scope and direction of your research, shaping what you investigate.
Types of Research
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Pure Research: Focuses on theoretical understanding and knowledge development.
- Aim: Descriptive
- Enquiry Mode: Mixed Methods
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Applied Research: Focuses on practical applications and solving real-world problems.
- Aim: Exploratory, Correlational, Explanatory
- Enquiry Mode: Quantitative, Qualitative
Pure Research
- Develops and tests theories and hypotheses.
- Examines research methods, procedures, techniques, and tools, refining research methodology.
- May or may not have immediate practical applications.
- Focuses on aspects like sampling methods, instrument design, and validity.
Applied Research
- Uses research methods, procedures, and techniques to gather information for evidence-based decision-making.
- Aims to formulate policy and enhance understanding of phenomena.
Descriptive Study
- Describes the prevalence of a situation, problem, phenomenon, service, or program.
Correlational Study
- Discovers relationships between two or more aspects of a situation.
Explanatory Research
- Explains why and how phenomena occur, focusing on causal relationships.
Exploratory Research
- Investigates the potential for undertaking a research study, exploring possibilities and generating research questions.
Quantitative Approach
- Relies on numerical data, measurement, and large sample sizes.
- Emphasizes objectivity and structured procedures.
- Prioritizes validity and reliability of data collection.
Qualitative Approach
- Focuses on in-depth understanding, descriptive accounts, and smaller sample sizes.
- Employs flexible strategies and explores variations in issues.
- Prioritizes validity and reliability of observations and interpretations.
Mixed Methods Approach
- Combines qualitative and quantitative approaches to provide a comprehensive understanding of a phenomenon.
Convergent Design (Mixed Methods)
- Collects and analyses both quantitative and qualitative data simultaneously.
- Compares and relates the findings from both approaches.
- Provides a holistic interpretation.
Explanatory Sequential Design (Mixed Methods)
- First, collects and analyses quantitative data.
- Then, uses qualitative data to further explore and explain the quantitative findings.
- Provides a deeper understanding of the relationships between variables.
Function of Literature Review
- Reviews existing research on a specific topic.
- Organizes findings around key themes.
- Presents themes in a logical and coherent manner.
- Compares and notes similarities and differences between findings.
How to Read a Literature Review
- Understand the primary themes and how the findings are structured.
- Evaluate the logical flow of arguments and evidence.
Writing a Literature Review
- Organizes information thematically.
- Follows a logical order of presentation.
- Supports arguments with evidence from existing literature.
- Refers to sources using an academic referencing style.
Literature Summary vs. Review
- Summary: Presents a brief overview of a topic or study without in-depth analysis or interpretation.
- Review: Offers a critical analysis of existing literature, organized thematically with logical ordering of arguments.
Research Proposal - APA
- A research proposal outlines the research plan, including the research question, hypothesis, methodology, and anticipated outcomes.
- Follows APA style guidelines for formatting and referencing.
Selecting a Research Subject
- Focus on control group and experimental group similarities for more reliable results.
Covariation
- Describes the relationship between two variables.
- Positive Correlation: Variables increase or decrease together.
- Negative Correlation: One variable increases while the other decreases.
- No Correlation: Variables show no relationship.
Spurious Relationship
- Appears to be a causal relationship between two variables but is not genuine, often influenced by a third variable.
- Cause: Independent Variable (the factor that potentially influences another variable).
- Effect/Outcome: Dependent Variable (the variable that is potentially influenced by another variable).
- Other Factors: Confounding Variable (a third variable that influences the perceived relationship between the independent and dependent variables).
Experiments
- Used to investigate cause-and-effect relationships in a controlled environment.
- Commonly used in scientific research and non-scientific human inquiry.
- Ideal for testing hypotheses and determining causation.
- Can be conducted in laboratories, online, or in real-world settings.
Classical Experiment
- Examines the effect of an independent variable on a dependent variable.
- Introduces an experimental stimulus (present or absent), representing the independent variable.
- Uses operational definitions for both independent and dependent variables.
- Measures the dependent variable before and after exposure to the stimulus.
Experimental & Control Group
- Experimental Group: Subjects receive the experimental stimulus.
- Control Group: Subjects do not receive the experimental stimulus but are similar to the experimental group in other respects.
- Comparison of both groups at the end allows for determining the effect of the experimental stimulus..
Treatment Effect
- The difference in the outcome between the experimental and control groups after exposure to the treatment.
Placebo Effect
- Participants experience a genuine improvement in their condition after receiving a fake treatment, demonstrating the power of belief and expectation.
Considerations Without a Control Group
- Difficult to establish cause-and-effect relationships due to potential confounding variables.
- Makes it challenging to draw reliable conclusions.
Aims of Experiments
- Test hypotheses.
- Establish causal relationships between variables.
- Understand underlying mechanisms of phenomena.
Reliability
- The consistency of research findings when repeated observations or measurements are taken.
- Ensures that results are not due to random chance.
Validity
- The extent to which a measurement accurately reflects the concept it intends to measure.
Internal Validity
- Indicates whether a research procedure demonstrates a real cause-and-effect relationship between variables.
Internal Invalidity
- Indicates potential biases or flaws in the research design that may lead to inaccurate conclusions.
- Sources: History (external events affecting outcome), Testing (repeated testing affecting results).
External Validity
- Indicates whether the results of a study can be generalized to other populations, times, or settings.
- Sources: Participant characteristics, time of study, and specific study setting.
Problems with Validity & Reliability
- Threaten the credibility of research findings.
Randomization
- Assigning subjects to experimental and control groups randomly to eliminate bias and ensure representative sampling.
Closed-Ended Questions (e.g., Multiple Choice)
- Advantages: Easy to answer and analyse.
- Disadvantages: Limited information depth and variety, potential for bias, may not reflect true opinions.
Open-Ended Questions
- Advantages: Allow for in-depth and varied information, reduce investigator bias.
- Disadvantages: Challenging to analyze, potential for information loss if respondents cannot express themselves, possible interviewer bias.
Types of Survey Methods
- Self-Administered Questionnaires: Respondents complete questionnaires independently. (Mail survey, home delivery).
- Interview Surveys: Interviewers ask respondents questions orally and record answers.
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