research and design quiz #6 Flashcards
__________ research refers to
counting and measuring items associated
with the phenomena in question
Quantitative
_________ research provides a means of describing and
explaining a phenomenon through a
numerical system
Quantitative
__________ research is an objective analysis based on the
numerical findings produced from
observations
Quantitative
Most criminological research is ___________
quantitative
__________ forms the core of quantitative
research
Empiricism
use of sensations and
experiences (observations) to arrive at
conclusions about the world in which we live
what is it?
Empiricism
Empiricism is important because it focuses on
________ rather than causal observation
causation
Behaviors or events that lead to other behaviors or events. This leads to the status of something having: ________
CAUSALITY
There are, at minimum, _____ necessary elements to establish a true
causal relationship
Three
What are the three elements to establish a true causal relationship?
1) T___ Or___g
2) Co____n
3) Cont___ for ______ Conf______rs
Time ordering –
* in the statement “X causes Y,” we must establish that “X” did in fact occur before “Y”
Correlation –
* “X” and “Y” must share a relationship or be associated with each other
Control for potential confounders –
* we must establish that the relationship between “X” and “Y” is not explained by some
other variable
in the statement “X causes Y,” we must establish that “X” did in fact occur before “Y”
Which element of casual relationship is this?
Time ordering
“X” and “Y” must share a relationship or be associated with each other
Which element of casual relationship is this?
Correlation
we must establish that the relationship between “X” and “Y” is not explained by some other variable
Which element of casual relationship is this?
Control for potential confounders
What are the four types of cause?
1) Id_____ic Cause
2) No_____ic cause
3) Nec______ cause
4) Suf_____nt cause
Idiographic cause
Nomothetic cause
Necessary cause
Sufficient cause
the examination of numerous explanations for why an event occurred
- Many causes can be contrasted and compared using numerical assignments
- Tends to focus on the individual and their unique qualities (idiosyncratic characteristics)
which of the four causes (that are made up of the three necessary elements) is this one?
Idiographic cause
– the examination of relatively few observations to provide a partial
explanation for an event
- Probability assessments generate inferences based on few observations
- Focuses on generalizations and classifications for groups, principles, and dimensions
which of the four causes (that are made up of the three necessary elements) is this one?
Nomothetic cause
– a condition or event must occur for another event to take place
Ex: If you live in Huntsville, Texas, it is ________ that you
live in the United States
which of the four causes (that are made up of the three necessary elements) is this one?
Necessary cause
– the presence of a condition ordinarily causes the effect to occur
Ex: if you live in the U.S., it is ________ that you live in
Huntsville, Texas, but it is not necessary
* Ex: If you live in a place called Huntsville, it is ________ that
you live in Texas, but it is not necessary. Why? Because you
could live in other U.S. states with a town called Huntsville
(Arkansas, Alabama, etc.)
which of the four causes (that are made up of the three necessary elements) is this one?
Sufficient cause
the arbitrary assignment of numerical values to variables without logical reason for doing so
For example, it would make little sense to
assign a rational number (i.e., a fraction
or decimal value) to the
nominal/categorical variable “gender” or
“sex”
what condition is this?
False precision
False precision often occurs when one
attempts to quantify concepts
Su______ly rather than Ob_____ly
subjectively rather than objectively
What are the Four Levels of Quantitative Measurement?
(hint: N.O.I.R.).
1) Nominal
2) Ordinal
3) Interval
4) Ratio
categorical, typology, but not ordered (e.g.,
variables such as “gender” or “sex” are _______)
- Each category in ________ measures is mutually
exclusive - There is no quantitative or statistical value in the
assigned numbers other than for coding purposes
or reporting results among particular groups
Other examples include:
* political party
* region,
* urbanicity etc.
Which of the four Measures of Quantitative Research is this?
Level #1: Nominal Measurement
– categorical, typological, and can be ordered
or ranked
- (e.g., police or military rank would be _____) but
no mathematical/quantifiable difference
between the categories - Another example is the rank ordering of crimes
by seriousness. If you say on a scale from 1 to 10
(1 = least, 10 = most) stealing is a 4, assault is a 7,
and murder is 10, the unit differences between
these values cannot be substantively explained - Another example is measures of one’s
satisfaction with something (lets say customer
service) on a scale from 1 (very unsatisfied) to 5
(very satisfied). However, we still don’t know the
true difference between a 4 and a 5 on this scale
Which of the four Measures of Quantitative Research is this?
Level #2: Ordinal Measurement
– categories that have distinctive and
equal differences between the characteristics
measured
- There is an expected equality in the
distance between the items on a
continuum, but there is no set zero or
starting point - (e.g., IQ scores 115 to 130 is separated by
15 units, but so is 150 to 165. this 15-unit
difference, however, lacks distinction) - Temperature is another ______ measure
because it lacks a true zero starting point
(you can have negative degrees below zero)
Which of the four Measures of Quantitative Research is this?
Level #3: Interval Measurement
– continuous measure that is ordered,
has equal units of distance, and has a true
zero starting point
- (e.g., age, weight, and straight measures
of income are continuous _____ variables) - The distance between any two measures
on a scale also have meaning. In height,
for example, the difference between
being 6’0’’ and 6’1’’ is quantifiable
Which of the four Measures of Quantitative Research is this?
Level #4: Ratio Measurement
What are the Eight (8) “Types” of Quantitative Research? (meaning, what are ethe practical, physical things one would do when conducting quantitative research)
1) S____ey
2) F___d R____ch
3) Un_____ve R____ch
4) An____is of ______ da_a
5) Q______ied Hi____al Re______
6) Q______ied Con___nt Ana___is
7) Eva_______ Re_____
8) Comb______n Re_______
1) Survey
2) Field research
3) Unobtrusive research
4) Analysis of existing data
5) Quantified historical research
6) Quantified content analysis
7) Evaluation research
8) Combination research
– popular is CJ research. We use
_______ when we are interested in
experiences, attitudes, perceptions, or
beliefs among individuals, as well as for
policies, procedures, or actions among
groups.
Which of the eight (8) types of quantitative research is this one?
Survey research
Observations are made that allow
for numerical assignment, and can
thus be quantified
Which of the eight (8) types of quantitative research is this one?
Field research
Research analyzes data that has
already been collected by someone
else or that does not require
interaction
Which of the eight (8) types of quantitative research is this one?
Unobtrusive research
Research obtains and analyzes
preexisting data to answer some
research objective
Which of the eight (8) types of quantitative research is this one?
Analysis of existing data
The researcher reviews archival records,
documents, or social artifacts to gain
insight about an event or era in history
Which of the eight (8) types of quantitative research is this one?
Quantified historical research
The researcher either counts the number
of occurrences in which a topic or issue is
presented or numerically assesses the
presentations based on a predetermined
scale or ranking
Emphasizes statistical rather than verbal
analysis of various forms of
communication
Which of the eight (8) types of quantitative research is this one?
Quantified content analysis
The researcher uses a quantified
comparative research design that assists
in the development of new skills or
approaches to solve “real world”
problems
Emphasizes the statistical evaluation of
program or policy functionality and/or
impact
Which of the eight (8) types of quantitative research is this one?
Evaluation research
The researcher employs a combination of
different quantitative methods to answer
questions
May include using surveys, field
observation, archival records, and content
analysis, or some other combination of
quantitative research methods
Which of the eight (8) types of quantitative research is this one?
Combination research
What are the three (3) main types of Surveys?
1) (Per/I)
2) (Mai/Q)
3) (Tele/S)
1) Personal interviews – face to face
(structured/semi-structured/unstructured)
* Responses are numerically assigned
and are quantitative
2) Mail questionnaires – survey instrument
is mailed to selected respondents
* Really cheap and safe, and can be
used to survey a large amount of
people fairly quickly
3) Telephone surveys – calling selected
respondents and gathering responses to
survey instrument
* Cheap, safe, and effective
M____d methods are the BLENDING of qualitative and quantitative research
Mixed
PROS of survey research:
Probability sampling and standardized questionnaire
Can use large samples
Flexibility in operational definitions
Standardized questionnaires increase strength of data
CONS of survey research:
Questions can be limited or only appropriate in certain circumstances
Limits context in terms of respondent thoughts and actions
Requires that no change occur during the survey period, thus it is inflexible
Survey instruments are subject to artificiality
Refusal to participate is problematic
true or false:
False precision is an ISSUE that you must deal with
True
No___l and Or____l measurements are DISCRET
Nominal and ordinal
In____l and Ra___o measures are CONTINUOUS
Interval and Ratio
