intro to quantitative research

Question 1

quantitative research

Answer 1

a formal, objective and systematic process to describe and test relationships and/or examine cause and effect interactions among variables
- requires a research design so the consumer can clearly understand the research questions, how the study was conducted and what the results indicate

Question 2

research design

Answer 2

is blueprint for conducting the study that maximizes control over factors that could interfere with the validity of the findings

Question 3

design

Answer 3

the plan, strategy and structure for hypothesis testing or answering research questions

Question 4

objectivity

Answer 4

review of the literature, assessing what is known about the research problems

Question 5

accuracy

Answer 5

using review of literature helps to determine the best theoretical framework that will accurately, logically and systematically examine the research problem

Question 6

feasibility

Answer 6

the ability of the study to be successful
- cost, availability, timing, data analysis

Question 7

pilot study

Answer 7

simple small study that is conducted to determine the objectively, accuracy and feasibility of the study before embarking on a large experimental study

Question 8

control

Answer 8

are the measures that the researcher uses to keep the study uniform (consistent) and prevent bias

Question 9

bias

Answer 9

is any action or influence that distortions the finding of the study

Question 10

homogenous sampling

Answer 10

having a sample that is very similar

Question 11

inclusion criteria

Answer 11

characteristics that can be controlled - age, gender, medical history as relevant
limits who the study applies to

Question 12

consistent in data collection

Answer 12

each participant is exposed to the same environmental conditions, timing of data collecting instruments and data collection procedures
consistency allows the researcher to draw clear conclusions and limits extraneous (outside) effects = higher quality research

Question 13

experimental group

Answer 13

group that receives the intervention

Question 14

control group

Answer 14

group that does not receive the intervention

Question 15

randomization

Answer 15

sampling process where each participant has an equal change of being in the experimental or control group

Question 16

internal validity

Answer 16

is the degree to which the experimental intervention results in observable effects

Question 17

history threats

Answer 17

events that are not related to the planned study but occurs during the time of the study and could influence the responses of the sample to the treatment
- internal validity

Question 18

maturation effect

Answer 18

unplanned and unrecognized changes experienced during the study
ex: participant aging, getting stronger
- internal validity

Question 19

testing effect

Answer 19

taking the same questionnaire can impact scores
ex: pre and post test
- internal validity

Question 20

instrumentation threat

Answer 20

changes in the way the IV data is gathered that could account for changes in obtained measurements
- internal validity

Question 21

mortality (attrition)

Answer 21

subjects drop out of the study before completion which creates a threat to the internal validity

Question 22

selection bias

Answer 22

addresses the participants are chosen to take part in the study
- internal validity

Question 23

external validity

Answer 23

examine the ability of the study to be generalized to additional populations and environmental conditions

Question 24

selection effects

Answer 24

generalizability of the results to other populations
- examine how the participants are chosen to take part in the study and how subjects are grouped together
- small population or specific sampling methods to recruit participants could impact results and generalizability
- external validity

Question 25

reactive effects (Hawthorne effect)

Answer 25

examines the participants response to being studied
- participants change their responses simply because they are part of the study, not because of the research intervention
- studying efficiency in a manufacturing company, participants aware of the study - both methods has a same high level of efficacy
- external validity

Question 26

measurement effects

Answer 26

the administration of a pretest in a study impacts the generalizability of the results/findings
- external validity