exam ii: ch8

Question 1

blueprint or detailed plan for conducting a study

Answer 1

research design

Question 2

what provides the basis of a research design? (3)

Answer 2

purpose, review of literature, and framework

Question 3

cause and effect relationship between variables

Answer 3

causality

Question 4

cause + effect relationship between interrelating variables = change in dep variable

Answer 4

multicausality

Question 5

the likelihood of accurately predicting an event

Answer 5

probability

Question 6

slanting of findings away from what is true/expected, can distort the findings

Answer 6

bias

Question 7

what type of research has the strongest control?

Answer 7

experimental

Question 8

having the power to manipulate factors for desired outcome; method to reduce bias, improve accuracy, implemented throughout design

Answer 8

control

Question 9

form of control used in quasi-experimental/experimental studies; implemental of a treatment or intervention

Answer 9

manipulation

Question 10

what are the 5 elements of a strong design?

Answer 10

controlling…
- environment
- equivalence of subjects
- tx
- measurement
- extraneous variables

Question 11

measure of the truth/accuracy of the findings obtained from a study

Answer 11

study validity

Question 12

type of validity that begins with the fit between the conceptual and operational definitions of variables

Answer 12

construct validity

Question 13

type of validity that measure the extent to which the study findings are a true reflection of reality, rather than the result of extraneous variables

Answer 13

internal validity

Question 14

concerned with the extent to which study findings can be generalized beyond the sample used in the study.

Answer 14

external validity

Question 15

concerned with whether the conclusions about relationships or differences drawn from statistical analysis are an accurate reflection of the real world

Answer 15

statistical conclusion validity

Question 16

explain the following threats to construct validity:
- inadequate definition of variables
- mono-operation bias
- mono-method bias
- experimental expectancy bias
- social desirability

Answer 16

Inadequate definition of variables: lack of clear + operational definitions may = not congruent/inappropriate measurements

Mono-operation bias: each variable measured with one instrument/scale

Mono-method bias: only one measurement method is used to measure study variable

Experimental expectancy bias: researcher’s expectations or bias may influence data collection

Social desirability: participants select answers based on wanting researcher to like them/based on behaviors that are perceived as positive

Question 17

explain the following threats to internal validity
- nonrandom participant selection
- nonrandom assignment to groups
- participant attrition
- unrelated event affecting the findings
- participant maturation

Answer 17

Nonrandom participant selection: participants selected by nonrandom sampling – unique characteristics that may influence study findings

Nonrandom assignment to groups: participants are placed in groups using nonrandom sampling in an interventional study, characteristics of the groups may influence the findings

Participant attrition: percentage of participants withdrawing from longitudinal study is >20%. The participants withdrew may be different from those who complete

Unrelated event affecting the findings: unrelated event that may affect (history, ex covid)

Participant maturation: participants become more experienced, wiser, or tired over the course of a study, which may influence the data collected

Question 18

explain the following threats to conclusion validity
- low statistical power
- unreliable measurement methods
- intervention fidelity concerns
- extraneous variables in study

Answer 18

Low statistical power: conclusion is drawn that there are no sig differences or relationships when one exists (type 2 error)

Unreliable measurement methods: scales/measures used in a study are not consistently measuring study variables

Intervention fidelity concerns: not consistently implemented, may make detecting differences difficult

Extraneous variables in study: setting not controlled in study, which may affect responses

Question 19

explain the following threats to external validity
- homogeneity in noninterventional study
- interaction of sample and setting
- interaction of selection + intervention
- interaction of history and intervention

Answer 19

Homogeneity in a noninterventional study: sample recruited was unique and does not reflect larger population

Interaction of sample and setting in the noninterventional study: the sample and the setting combined in a way that resulted in a unique sample that does not reflect larger population

Interaction of selection + intervention: participants decline to participate because of the commitment or effort the test requires. the sample does not reflect larger

Interaction of history and intervention: event that occurs in the setting affects the implementation of the intervention and data collection

Question 20

type of study that seeks to gain more information about concepts, variables, or elements in a particular field of study.

Answer 20

descriptive studies

Question 21

type of descriptive design used to examine variables in a single sample

Answer 21

simple descriptive design

Question 22

type of descriptive design that examines differences in variables in 2+ groups that occur naturally in a setting

Answer 22

comparative descriptive design

Question 23

examine relationships between or among two or more variables in a single group in a study.

Answer 23

correlational design

Question 24

type of correlational design that describes variables and examines relationships

Answer 24

descriptive correlational design

Question 25

type of correlational design that predicts the value of one variable based on the values obtained for another variable/variables

Answer 25

predictive correlational design

Question 26

type of research design that has untreated control group with pretest/posttest

Answer 26

quasi experimental design

Question 27

groups in comparative descriptive studies

Answer 27

study groups

Question 28

uses large # of subjects to test a treatment’s effect and compare results with a control group who did not receive the treatment
- randomization is ESSENTIAL
- multiple geographic locations
- subjects come from reference population

Answer 28

randomized controlled trial

Question 29

t/f: research designs should be developed to reduce likelihood of bias

Answer 29

true