Quantitative research Intro

Question 1

Control

Answer 1

part of a scientifically valid experiment, designed to show that the experimental treatment being tested is is responsible for the effect observed.

Question 2

Ethnography

Answer 2

a non- quantitative technique used to study and describe the functioning of cultures through a study of social interactions and expressions between people and groups.

Question 3

Hypothesis

Answer 3

a statement of the relationship between two or more variables.

Question 4

Review of literature:

Answer 4

a review of relevant research and theory conducted during the early stages of the research process to identify important variables and accepted methods and to establish a rationale for research.

Question 5

Meta- analysis:

Answer 5

a statistics based method of reviewing literature in a field. It involves comparing or combining the results of the related studies.

Question 6

Scientific method:

Answer 6

the method of inquiry preferred by scientists. It involves observing phenomena, developing hypotheses, empirically testing the hypotheses and refining and revising the hypotheses.

Question 7

Wilhelm Wundt (1832- 1920):

Answer 7

• A German psychologist whose pioneering works helped in establishing the status of psychology as valid experimental science.
  -Credited with establishing the first experimental psychology laboratory at Leipzig.
  -Stressed the use of scientific methods in psychology, particularly a method of
  “introspection”

Question 8

Karl Popper (1902-1994):

Answer 8

-Born in Vienna is considered one of the most influential philosopher theorists who refuted mainstream thoughts.
-Contributed to psychology as a science by establishing the scientific methods of examining questions about any phenomena.
-A highly honoured philosopher who received the Sonning prize for merit in work that furthered
European civilization.

Question 9

Solomon Asch and Leon Festinger

Answer 9

Famous social psychologists like Solomon Asch and -Leon Festinger in their pioneering and classical research in the area of group dynamics and conformity have used both QM and QRM. The QM however by virtue of their higher credence remained in the forefront, leading to the gradual fading of the qualitative side of the research.

Question 10

• For computer assistance in application of QM one may use software like:

Answer 10

SPSS Statistical Package of Social Science

and SYSTAT Statistical Data Analysis and Scientific Visualization.

Question 11

‘triangulation”

Answer 11

The researchers focus on the mixed use of QM and QRM which is also referred to as the ‘triangulation”.

Question 12

QRM

Answer 12

The aim of applying qualitative methods to research is giving a complete and detailed description of the phenomenon being studied. There is minimal attempt to reduce descriptions to numeric data or categories. Rather, focus is to analyze the ambiguities and deviances of behaviour not by generalizing but contextualizing them. The QRM rely on ethnographic study, in-depth interviews,
case-studies, observations, narrative analysis, discourses, and grounded theory.

Question 13

QM

Answer 13

approach to classifying and counting the features to construct a statistical model. The findings are generalizable and comparable to other sets of data.

Question 14

Differences between QRM and QM

Answer 14

QRM explore newer ideas and concepts that can be emboldened using the QM.
QM-
* reductionist approach- reduce the complexities of human behavior and the related variables to simpler forms or mere numbers in order to study a phenomenon.
* positivist understanding of the human behavior- taking a mechanistic view of the behavior in terms of cause and effect relationships.
* result in findings are confirmatory and deductive in nature.
* fundamental view of the individual- combines and summarizes the behavioral data across the sample measured and uses it to generalize about the population.
* emphasis on designing, sampling and generalizability of findings.
* The QMs depend upon mathematics, modeling, meta-analysis, experimentation, surveys and statistical analysis of data.
* The data is collected through experimentation,
surveys and questionnaires, and interviews.

QRM
* aim is to study the behavioral components in wider contexts and perspectives. Individual experiences are important to understand the complete nature of the phenomenon being studied.
* human behavior needs to be studied in reference to the meaning attached to it by the person. A mere smile may imply different exploratory and inductive in nature.
* meanings to different people.
* no single unitary reality apart from one’s perceptions; each person is entitled to his own reality and experiences. Thus, combining and summarizing the data across individuals is
not appreciated.
* reflexive in nature, this means that qualitative exploration of the phenomenon being studied involves reflecting on personal values, experiences, and beliefs that affect research and also if there is an alternative design that can stimulate different views of the problem being studied.
* used QRM include ethnography, phenomenology, hermeneutics, and grounded theory.
* The data can be collected using in- depth interviews, direct observation, case study, and
diaries.

Question 15

Extraneous variable

Answer 15

An extraneous variable is any variable that you’re not investigating that can potentially affect the dependent variable of your research study.