Chapter 3: The Research Phase

Question 1

What are some characteristics of a research expert?

Answer 1

A research expert:

• Has a PH.D. Or some other significant education that emphasizes quantitative research and analysis.
• Is experienced in conducting surveys.
• Has an open mind.
• Well informed on current events.
• Thinks analytically.
• Flexible and Organized.
• Professional and ethical.
• Communicates efficiently.

Question 2

How many steps are there in the research phase?

Answer 2

There are 12 steps in the research phase.

Question 3

In general, describe each step of the research phase.

Answer 3

1. Consult with decision maker to define purpose, design, measurement, budget, time, population.
2. Conduct literature review.
3. Implement research design using ethical standards.
4. Draft and pretest measurement instrument.
5. Select participants.
6. Get approval of measurement instrument from decision maker.
7. Train data collectors.
8. Collect data.
9. Process data.
10. Analyze data.
11. Write report and prepare oral presentation.
12. Share results with decision maker and relevant audiences.

Question 4

Kenneth Hoover said: “concepts are … (3 descriptives)”

Answer 4

• Tentative
• Based on agreement
• Useful to the degree that they can capture or isolate some significant and definable item in reality

Question 5

Operational definition

Answer 5

Used to assign meaning to a variable by specifying the operations or activities required to measure it.

Question 6

Survey questionnaire

Answer 6

A collection of questions designed to elicit valid information from the respondents about the research topic.

Question 7

What are the four main parts of a survey questionnaire?

Answer 7

• Record keeping information
• Introduction to the survey
• Questions
• Closing