quantitive research - key concepts Flashcards
What determines the conclusions we can draw from research?
The conclusions depend on how the knowledge was generated
What should we evaluate in any research study we plan or read?
We need to know:
- Whether the study design, conduct, and analysis answer the research questions without bias (internal validity).
- To what extent we can generalize the findings to other contexts (external validity).
What is internal validity in research?
Internal validity refers to whether the study design, conduct, and analysis answer the research questions without bias.
What is external validity in research?
External validity refers to the extent to which the research findings can be generalized to other contexts.
What does the process of evaluating research depend on?
The process depends on the research design.
What does a research question specify?
A research question specifies the topic to be studied in an empirically testable way.
What are the four objectives of science (Rooney et al., 2009) that research questions are based upon?
The four objectives are:
- To describe
- To explain
- To predict
- To control
What is an example of a research question that aims to describe?
“What is the nature of statistics anxiety among university students?”
What makes a good research question?
A good research question should be:
* Empirically testable
* Interesting and useful
* Feasible
What does it mean for a research question to be “empirically testable”?
It means the question can be expressed in terms of a single construct or a relationship between constructs.
Why should a research question be interesting and useful?
The question should have theoretical or applied importance.
What does it mean for a research question to be feasible?
It means the research can be carried out with the available resources and time.
What is the first step in the quantitative research process?
Step 1 is to find a topic.
What is the second step in the quantitative research process?
Step 2 is to generate the research question.
What is a research hypothesis?
A research hypothesis is a statement about an expected relationship between variables that is clear, specific, and testable.
What is a variable in the context of a research hypothesis?
A variable is an operationalization of a construct
What are predictor and outcome variables?
- Predictor variables are those that predict an outcome (often independent variables in experimental research).
- Outcome variables are affected by predictors (often dependent variables).
What is an example of predictor and outcome variables in a hypothesis?
- Predictor: Statistics anxiety
- Outcome: Confidence in a statistics exam
What distinguishes causal and associative hypotheses?
Causal hypotheses claim that the predictor has an effect on the outcome.
Associative hypotheses only suggest that the predictor and outcome are related, without implying cause and effect.
How can we infer causation in research?
Causation can only be inferred from experimental research.
What is a directional hypothesis?
A directional (one-tailed) hypothesis specifies the expected direction of the relationship between variables, based on prior evidence.
What is a non-directional hypothesis?
A non-directional (two-tailed) hypothesis states that there will be a relationship between variables, but does not specify the direction.
What is operationalization in research?
Operationalization is the process of defining a variable in measurable terms so it can be studied empirically
Why do psychological constructs need to be operationalized?
Psychological constructs, such as anxiety or motivation, cannot be directly observed, so they must be measured through operational definitions.
