Getting Started with Quantitative Research

Question 1

Theory

Answer 1

Is a term used that:

• Brings together related knowledge in a logical way to provide an explanation for something.

A good theory should:

• Account for various facts that have been observed to date.
• Allow predictions about things have not been observed yet.

Question 2

Description

Answer 2

A term used to inform what an object looks like and how it is presented.

Question 3

Prediction

Answer 3

A term used describe what will happen in a particular case, from past experiences.

Question 4

Explanation

Answer 4

A term used to understand what is happening.

• Goes further than describing and predicting outcomes.
• Identifies factors of causation and provides reasons for WHY it occurs.

Question 5

Research Idea

Answer 5

Describes selecting a general topic area, followed by reviewing literature to find an unanswered question.

Question 5

Covariation of Events

Answer 5

A term used if there is a correlation between variables

Question 6

Time Order Relationships

Answer 6

A term used to determine if there are any changes over time with the covariation of events.

Question 7

Eliminate other Possible Causes

Answer 7

A term used when variables are excluded, to observe individual effects.

Question 8

Manipulate the Factors

Answer 8

A term used to describe a purposeful change in a value or variable.

Question 9

Form a Hypothesis

Answer 9

A brief statement describing what might be found in literature.

• Can describe relationships between variables, patterns or effects.

Question 10

Define our Variables and Measures

Answer 10

Deciding on how to quantify the variables

Question 11

Identify Participants

Answer 11

The people in the study.

Question 12

Research Strategy

Answer 12

Determining what research design will be most effective.

Question 13

Research Design

Answer 13

A specific method researchers use to collect, analyse and interpret data.

Question 14

Conduct our Study

Answer 14

Practically

Question 15

Evaluate the Data

Answer 15

Reviewing information, format and sources to ensure its accurate and complete.

Question 16

Report the Results

Answer 16

Making the findings of a study public, for critique and replication.

Question 16

Refine our Theory or our Research Idea

Answer 16

Going back to the start and narrowing the scope of the research idea / theory.

Question 17

Basic Research

Answer 17

A term used to describe curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge

Question 18

Advocacy/ Participatory Research

Answer 18

This research has an action agenda that seeks to bring about reform and change in the lives of those in the research.

• Addresses important social issues
• Forms strong collaborative relationships with those involved
• Ensures voices are heard and avoids marginalisation

Question 18

Applied Research

Answer 18

A term used to describe the identification of practical solutions for specific problems in real-world phenomena

Question 19

Parsimony

Answer 19

Is a principle that a theory should

• Have the fewest possible assumptions
• Prefers simple explanations over complex ones.

Question 20

Precision of the prediction

Answer 20

Refers to how close the models predictions are to the observed values.

• The more precise the model, the closer the data points are to the prediction.

Question 21

Rigorous Testing

Answer 21

Refers to a system, test or procedure that is very thorough and strict

Question 22

Goal of Quantitative Research

Answer 22

3 main goals in quantitative research:

• To describe
• To predict
• To explain

Question 23

Identify a research question or ‘gap’

Answer 23

When deciding on a research idea, we want to find an unanswered question to ensure time is not wasted on repeating studies.

Question 24

framework that identifies seven types of research gaps

Answer 24

Miles “The seven research gaps” Includes:

• Evidence gap
• Knowledge gap
• Practical knowledge conflict gap
• Methodology gap
• Empirical gap
• Theoretical gap
  -Population gap