Kaplan test Flashcards
Inductive reasoning
makes broad generalizations from specific observations.
Deductive reasoning
starts out with a general statement, or hypothesis, and examines the possibilities to reach a specific, logical conclusion.
Hypothesis:
a written, declarative statement in the present tense of a prediction of the relationship between two or more variables. Used in quantitative research (not in qualitative)
Null hypothesis
predicts there is no relationship between the variables stated in the hypothesis. Not acknowledging a null hypothesis threatens overall study validity. Careful sample selection using power analysis can help prevent these errors
Null hypothesis: type 1 errors
when the null hypothesis is rejected when it should not be. This is of more concern to researchers than type II errors.
Null hypothesis: type 2 errors
when the null hypothesis is not rejected when it should be, since a relationship between the studied variables does exist.
Quantitative Research:
Grounded upon the scientific method of theory testing and focuses on more
objective evidence.
Quant research consists of
- focused on determining the cause and effect of a phenomena, as researchers believe that events
are not random but can be linked to a specific cause - research is tightly controlled throughout
- uses numbers and statistics to produce evidence
- the people being studied are referred to as “subjects”
- relies on unbiased observation and reliable/valid measurement of variables
Independent and Dependent variables:
cause and effect, the hypothesis
independent variables:
treatment, intervention, or the experimental variable
dependent variables:
outcome, the ruling out of extraneous effects
extraneous variable:
unplanned effect (cause) on an outcome in a research study
Hawthorne effect:
an example of an extraneous variable: refers to the psychological effect when study subjects change their behavior from how they would normally behave because they know they are being watched/observed
Methods for survey research:
interviews and questionnaires. May address knowledge, beliefs,
perceptions, attitudes, feelings, experiences, behaviors, etc. Questions should be clear, simple, ordered from general to specific.
Questionnaire:
can be written (paper) or electronic (online or computer generated)
Questionnaire: pros and cons
o Pros: inexpensive, fast, easy to analyze, allow for anonymity,
o Cons: low response rates, does not allow for clarification
Attitude scales:
Likert scale and Semantic Differential scale are structured, selfreport measures to learn more about the attitudes of the subjects
Likert Scale:
attitude statements of usually 5 to 7 points, ranging from Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree. Scores of all questions are summed to obtain one total score.
Semantic Differential Scale:
Not as commonly used as the Likert scale. Pairs of 2 opposite adjectives are placed on lines with a 7-point scale between them. Subjects mark the point that best represents their attitude.
Quantitative Research Designs: 4 types
*Descriptive studies
*Correlational studies
*Quasi-experimental studies
*Experimental studies
Descriptive studies:
describe characteristics of a topic. Ie: individuals, groups, situations and/or frequency of occurrence of certain phenomena
Correlational studies:
examine relationships between variables or between subjects and the strength and direction of the relationship
Quasi-experimental studies:
examine causality but there is NO random assignment and/or control group
Experimental studies:
examine causality and DO have random assignment of subjects, with both an experimental and a control group
Clinical Trials:
Research studies, experimental in design, which assess the effects of specific
new or revised clinical interventions. Examples include clinical treatments, medical equipment use on clients, medications. In these studies, safety and efficacy of the intervention(s) are studied.