Question | Answer |
What is quantitative research | Collection and analysis of numerical data |
What is qualitative research | Collection and analysis of narrative and visual data |
Quantitative Data Analysis | Identify Statistical Relationships |
Quantitative Hypothesis | Formulated based on theory or knowledge gained while reviewing literature |
Quantitative Beliefs | Live in a stable world that we can measure and make generalizations about |
Quantitative Scientific Method | Deductive Reasoning |
Quantitative Sample Size | Large |
Quantitative Approach: Correlation | Collect data to determine if a relationship exists |
Quantitative Approach: Causal-Comparative | Attempts to determine the cause or reason for existing differences
*Different from experimental because the researcher determines the cause-effect relationship |
Cause | Influences behavior |
Effect | Change that Occurs |
Quantitative Approach: Experimental | independent variable is manipulated while others are controlled |
Internal Validity | Degree in which observed differences are direct result of manipulation of independent variable |
Increase internal validity | decrease external validity |
external validity | degree to which results are generalizable to other groups |
Random Sampling: Simple Random | Use a table of random numbers |
Random Sampling: Stratified Random Sampling | Divide population into separate levels, select from separate levels |
Random Sampling: Cluster Sample | Select Groups Randomly |
Random Sampling: Systematic Sampling | Using a list of population and selecting every Kth person |
Non-Random Sampling: Convenience Sampling | Selects whoever is there |
Non-Random Sampling: Purposive Sampling | Selecting a sample believed to be representative |
Non-Random Sampling: Quota | Sampling selection based on required number needed |
Qualitative Research Data Type | Categorical |
Qualitative Research Purpose | Gain understanding of underlying reasons and motives
Search for patterns, themes, and holistic features |
Qualitative Hypothesis | Doesn't state hypothesis prior to study |
Qualitative Characteristics | Research methods evolve as understanding deepens
Meaning is situated in a particular perspective
Small Sample Size |
Qualitative Research Design: Advantages | Depth and detail
creates openness
simulates experiences
Researcher knows and understands participants
small # of participants
Data collection in natural environment
hypothesis evolves |
Qualitative Research Design: Disadvantages | Subjective
not repeatable
small sample
not easy to generalize |
Qualitative Types of Research: Narrative Research | How different humans experience the world |
Qualitative Types of Research: Ethnographic Research | Study of cultural patterns and perspectives of participants in natural settings |
Qualitative Types of Research: Case Study | Focuses on bounded system or unit of study |
Hypothesis: Inductive | Generalization based upon observations |
Hypothesis: Deductive | Derived from theory and provides evidence that supports, expands, or even contracts a theory |
Qualitative Types of Research: Action Research Characteristics | Data Drives Action
Seeks Change
Personally Involved
Reflective
Seeks Continuous Change |
Action Research: Advantages | Provides immediate feedback |
Hypothesis: Null | No relationship or difference among variables |
Null Hypothesis: Type 1 error | false positive |
Null hypothesis: Type 2 error | false negative |
Valid | they measure what they are intended to measure |
Reliable | Results should be the same when done by different people |
Independent Variable | Cause |
Dependent Variable | Effect |
Nominal Variable | Describes Categorical Data |
Quantitative Variable: Ordinal | Rank order with unequal units |
Quantitative Variable: Interval | Rank order with equal intervals |
Quantitative Variable: Ratio | Characteristics of the other levels but also true zero point |
Action Research: Disadvantages | Only valuable to those conducting it
Results can't be applied in other settings
May not produce valid results |
Primary Resource | First Hand Account |
Secondary Resource | Second Hand Information |
Plagiarism | No more than 30% can be directly quoted |
Qualitative Instruments | interviews and observations |
Quantitative Instruments | Paper/Pencil OR electronic |
Frequency | Number of times something occurs |
Descriptive Statistics: Measures of Central Tendency | Mean, Median, Mode |
Mean | appropriate for measuring interval or ratio data |
Mode | Appropriate for measuring nominal data |
Median | Appropriate for measuring ordinal data |
Measures of Variability | Range, Quartile Deviation |
Range | Difference between highest and lowest scores |
Quartile Deviation | 1/2 the difference between the upper and lower quartile |
Descriptive Statistics Measurement Instruments: Cognitive Tests | thinking ability |
Descriptive Statistics Measurement Instruments: Affective Tests | Measure attitude, emotion, interest, personality |
Descriptive Statistics Measurement Instruments:
\ Affective Tests: Likert Scale | strongly agree - strongly disagree |
Descriptive Statistics Measurement Instruments:
Affective Tests: Semantic Scale | Fair unfair
3 -3 |
Descriptive Statistics Measurement Instruments:
Affective Tests: Rating Scales | Always Almost Always Sometimes |
Descriptive Statistics Measurement Instruments:
Affective Tests: Thurstone Scale and Guttman Scale | used to measure attitude |
Descriptive Statistics Measurement Instruments:
Affective Tests: Interest Inventory | used to measure personal likes |
Descriptive Statistics Measurement Instruments:
Affective Tests: Projective Tests | developed to eliminate some of the concerns with self report measures |
Variance | Amount of spread among scores |
Standard Deviation | Square root of the variance |
Normal Curve | 50% of scores above mean and 50% below
& Measures of Central Tendency have the same value |
Skewed | not normally distributed |
Standard Score | Uses standard deviation units to express how far an individual's score is from the mean |
T-Score | Calculated by multiplying a z-score by 10 and adding 50 |
Descriptive Statistics: Measures of Relationship: Pearson r | calculate relationship for interval or ratio data |
Descriptive Statistics: Measures of Relationship: Spearman rho | calculate relationships with ordinal data |
Inferential Statistics | determine how likely it will that results obtained from a sample are going to be obtained from the entire population |
Descriptive Statistics | helps researchers know how often or how frequent a score will occur |
Inferential Statistics | helps researchers know if they can generalize to a population |
Inferential Statistics: t-Test | used to determine whether 2 groups of scores are significantly different from one another
Compares the observed differences between means with the expected differences |
Inferential Statistics: ANOVA | parametric test used to determine whether scores from 2 or more groups are significantly different at a selected probability level
total variance of scores comes from variance between groups and variance within groups |
Quantitative Purposes | Generalize Results
Describe Current Condition
Investigate Relationships
Study Cause/Effect Relationships
Identify Statistical Relationships |
Quantitative Characteristics | Describes
Predicts
Numerical Data
Controls Variables of Interest |
Quantitative Research Topic | Topic statement describes the variables of interest, relations among those variables, and aspects of the sample |
Quantitative Research Advantages | Broader STudy
Large Sample Size
Objectivity
Replicable
Personal Bias Avoided
Validity
LIttle time with participants
Numerical Data
Researcher Controls Environment |
Quantitative Research Disadvantages | Narrow Data Set
No Narrative
Data Collected out of context |
Literature Review: Purpose | ensure that you don't duplicate an existing study
helps frame study
helps identify research strategies |
Literature Review: Steps | 1. make a list of keywords
2. locate primary sources
3. evaluate source
4. abstract sources
5. analyze and organize sources
6. write review |