Research Methods

Question 1

What are the main research designs?

Answer 1

• Quantitative
• Qualitative
• Mixed methods

Question 2

What is quantitative research methods?

Answer 2

Uses numbers to collect data from a random sample group and then generalize those results to the pop. to explain a phenomenon
-Used to test a hypothesis and answer a clear, pre-
defined question

Question 3

What are the strengths of quantitative research?

Answer 3

• large sample sizes and random samples allow conclusions to be generalizable to a larger population
• Can give us a clear picture of the scope or magnitude of a problem
• “Straightforward” methods of statistical analysis to test a hypothesis
• Potential to distinguish between correlation and causation

Question 4

How many quantitative research designs are there?

Answer 4

3

Question 5

What are the quantitative research designs?

Answer 5

• randomized control designs
• observational studies
• systematic reviews and meta analyses

Question 6

Longitudinal data?

Answer 6

Same individuals as in CSD and you follow at more than 1 time point

• Can be used for descriptive statistics and is a stronger design for analysis of causal relationships (cause and effect)
• lack of randomization
• Ex: Relationship between breastfeeding and later life cardiovascular disease
• Can last for a long time, up to 20 years

Question 7

Cross-sectional data?

Answer 7

• Data collected on a group of people at one point in time.
• Most appropriate for producing descriptive analysis and correlational relationships because it’s difficult to know directionality.
• Ex: Relationship between poverty and depression

Question 8

Why not use randomized trials all the time?

Answer 8

Randomized trials allow us gain insight into causal (cause and effect) relationships

Question 9

What is a literature review?

Answer 9

where you can go on Google review, etc. and look up documents pertaining to a topic

Question 10

Systematic Review?

Answer 10

things have to have a specific methodology , include an assessment of bias in the study. Often take 9-24 months

Question 11

What do meta analyses do?

Answer 11

Goes an extra step and uses statistical methods to summarize the results of studies

Question 12

What are qualitative research methods?

Answer 12

a collection of methods used to gain an in-depth understanding of human behavior and social processes
-how and why of behavior, not just what, where, and
when
-Useful to gain insight into people’s attitudes, behaviors, value systems, concerns, motivations, aspirations, culture or lifestyles

Question 13

What are qualitative research methods?

Answer 13

• Ethnographic
• Interviews
• Focus groups
• Document review

Question 14

What is an ethnographic method?

Answer 14

Researcher spends time in an environment observing behavior, action and interaction so that they can understand the meanings constructed in an environment and make sense of every day experiences

Question 15

What are interviews?

Answer 15

open-ended conversations 1-1 with participants

Question 16

What are focus groups?

Answer 16

Typically between 4-12 respondents in a group who respond to a set of open-ended questions
-Goal is to ensure differences in opinion and perspective are voiced and respondents react to each other in a dynamic conversation

Question 17

What is document review?

Answer 17

Review of existing documents (public records, organizational documents, etc) to understand history and context of particular area

Question 18

Which is better? Quan. or Qual.?

Answer 18

Both

• Both have merits, and which one you use really depends on the research question you are asking
• Mixed methods