Exam 9: Critically Appraising Nonexperimental Quantitative Studies

Which of the following questions is/are important in critically appraising surveys? A ) Was the information collected in a valid, unbiased manner? B) Were the survey respondents representative of the target population? C) Were the conclusions warranted in light of the design logic, the type of data analysis employed, and the findings of that analysis? D) All of the above.

Which of the following sampling methods is used when trying to ensure adequate representation of a small minority group?

Nonprobability samples are selected randomly.

Cross-sectional studies provide better information about how people change over time than do cohort studies or panel studies.

Identify and discuss the main types of probability and nonprobability sampling and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Explain how multivariate procedures can enhance the value of survey findings.

Which of the following statements is/are correct about sampling methods?

Some surveys with poor response rates can have value.

Using cluster sampling is the best way to ensure adequate representation of a small minority group.

Surveys can be conducted:

Although selecting cases randomly prevents researcher biases or judgment errors regarding what specific cases to select, it is still possible for a probability sample to be biased.

Identify and discuss the key issues to consider when critically appraising surveys.

Which of the following statements is/are correct about survey response rates?

A sample is the segment of a population that participates in a study.

Describe the advantages of case-control studies and what to look for when critically appraising them.

Multivariate procedures:

Surveys avoid the problem of nonresponse bias.

Case-control studies:

Case-control studies use matched groups of people who appear to be comparable except for some contrasting outcome.

A key limitation to be avoided in case-control studies is the possibility of recall bias, which occurs when knowing how things turned out biases how people recall earlier events.