Research Designs
What type of research collects and analyzes numerical data?
Quantitative research
What is the process of selecting a subset of a population to participate in a study?
Sampling
What term refers to the consistency of a research instrument’s results?
Reliability
What is a self-report data-collection instrument that participants fill out as part of a study?
Questionnaire
What branch of statistics uses sample data to make inferences or generalizations about a larger population?
Inferential Statistics
What research design describes a population or phenomenon without manipulating variables and focuses on what is happening?
Descriptive Research Design
A researcher selects participants who happen to be the easiest to reach. What sampling method is used?
Convenience Sampling
What term refers to whether an instrument measures what it is intended to measure?
Validity
What type of question allows respondents to answer freely in their own words?
Open-ended question
What three measures of central tendency are listed in the research discussion, and describe each of them?
Mean (average), Median (middle value), and Mode (value that most frequently appears)
A researcher examines the relationship between students’ exercise levels and their GPAs without changing either variable. What design is used?
Correlational Research Design
A researcher divides students into groups according to grade level and randomly selects participants from each grade level. What sampling method is used?
Stratified Random Sampling
A test produces nearly identical scores each time, but it measures study hours instead of test anxiety. Is it reliable, valid, both, or neither?
Reliable but not valid
A survey asks, 'Do you agree that teachers should contact parents and school administrators more often?' What questionnaire problem does this illustrate?
Double-barreled question
A researcher calculates the mean, median, and mode of students’ questionnaire scores. Is this descriptive or inferential statistics?
Descriptive Statistics
A researcher randomly assigns students to two groups, teaches one group using a new method, and compares their test scores. Identify the design.
Experimental Research Design
A researcher selects every tenth name on a list after choosing a starting point. What sampling method is used?
Systematic Sampling
A questionnaire asks about students’ extracurricular activities to measure test anxiety and gives inconsistent results when repeated. How would you classify it?
Neither reliable nor valid
What interview type uses questions asked in a set order?
Structured Interview
A researcher uses sample data to test a hypothesis and draw conclusions about a larger population. Identify the branch of statistics.
Inferential Statistics
A study first surveys students about test anxiety, then interviews selected students to explain the survey findings. What mixed-methods design is this?
Explanatory Sequential Design
A researcher wants to study a hard-to-reach group. Initial participants recommend other people who meet the study’s criteria. Identify the sampling method.
Snowball Sampling
A researcher wants to measure self-esteem. Explain two steps that could strengthen the reliability and validity of the instrument.
Standardize instructions and conditions to improve reliability; use an appropriate, established self-esteem instrument and align items with the research objective to support validity.
A team plans to interview participants but has no recording procedure, interview guide, or consent request. Name three preparation steps they should complete before conducting the interviews.
Decide on the interview type and research questions; design an interview guide; establish an adequate recording procedure and inform interviewees; invite participants and request consent.
Come up with one theme based on the interview question and responses.
Interviewer: What usually causes you stress as a student?
Student A: I feel stressed when several teachers give assignments and projects at the same time. Sometimes, I don't know which one to finish first.
Student B: For me, it's the exams. I worry about getting low grades, especially when my parents expect me to do well.
Student C: I get overwhelmed when I have many deadlines. I sometimes stay up late just to finish everything.
Codes: Several assignments at once; overlapping deadlines; difficulty prioritizing
Theme: Heavy Academic Workload