Quantitative research Flashcards
How is data generated in quantitative research?
Through rigorous experimental means with tight control of variables
Can quantitative research results be generalised to a wider population and used to make important decisions?
Yes
Give an example of qualitative vs quantitative for the same info
Quality of life:
qualitative - answers to a question
quantitative - QoL questionnaire scores
How can quantitative data be collected?
Questionnaires
Surveys
Measuring equipment
Anything that generates a numerical output
What are the 4 main types of quantitative research?
Descriptive
Correlational
Quasi-experimental
Experimental
What is descriptive research?
Observation and description of something via questionnaires, surveys, interviews.
No manipulation, intervention or treatment tested.
Experimenter not testing for a correlation between 2 or more variables
What is correlational research?
Observation and description of something via questionnaires, surveys, interviews.
No manipulation, intervention or treatment tested.
Investigates relationship between two or more variables - only describes presence/nature of relationships, not causation.
What is experimental research?
Intervention or treatment present
Random assignment into groups
Aims to have control over all variables
Only research design to establish cause and effect
What is an independent variable?
The variable that is manipulated
i.e. treatment or intervention
What is the dependent variable?
The outcome which is measured
What does single/partial/observer-blinded mean?
Participants are unaware of what they are receiving (e.g. if it’s the drug or a placebo)
Always the case in animal studies
What does double-blinded mean?
Participants and experimenters do not know who is receiving what
What is quasi-experimental research?
Similar to experimental research but without randomisation of groups
Cause and effect can be established
Unable to know if there are potential differences between the groups due to lack of randomisation
Usually done when unethical to give some a treatment/intervention and not others
What is an example of quasi-experimental research?
How well is a drug know to be efficacious tolerated? (unethical to give a placebo)
