Deck 5: Research Design

Question 1

Probability samples are often considered superior to non-probability samples because they:

A) use randomization that ensures that inferences between samples and their population are as accurate as possible
B) have observations deliberately selected to match the research population which makes it easier to generalize
C) have a larger amount of observations
D) have a smaller amount of observations

Answer 1

A

Question 2

What type of data is best described as a "snapshot" of a population?

A) Panel data
B) Pre-post data
C) Cross section data
D) Longitudinal data

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Large-n studies are also known as:

A) qualitative studies because a large number of observations are needed to make reliable inferences
B) quantitative studies because a large number of observations are needed to make reliable inferences
C) qualitative studies because observations are studied in depth to understand why or how phenomena occur
D) quantitative studies because observations are studied in depth to understand why or how phenomena occur

Answer 3

B

Question 4

A company inspects every 50th car on a manufacturing line in order to carry out quality control. This sample is an example of a:

A) simple random sample
B) systematic sample
C) stratified random sample
D) cluster sample

Question 5

Convenience samples are:

A) those to which a researcher has the best access
B) those that are expected to produce the strongest results
C) based on a system of referrals
D) based on particular characteristics guiding the inclusion of particular observations

Question 6

Randomization means each potential observation has:

A) an equal chance of being included in the research study
B) an independent chance of being included in the research study
C) an equal and independent chance of being included in the research study
D) properties consistent with the research population

Question 7

If the margin of error is 3% and the sample mean for a particular variable is 80%, the confidence interval becomes:

A) 77%-80%
B) 80%-83%
C) 80%
D) 77%-83%

Question 8

What is the central characteristic of non-probability samples?

A) That they are not based on randomization
B) That they usually involve a large number of observations
C) That they are used in experimental research
D) That they are designed to mirror the population as closely as possible

Question 9

A characteristic about a research population is called a:

A) sample statistic
B) population parameter
C) random sample
D) variable

Question 10

What is a research design?

A) A plan that describes how a research question will be answered
B) A plan that describes what the variables will be
C) A plan that describes what the implications of the results will be
D) A plan that describes how to create a theory

Question 11

Which of the following types of research design uses numerical measures for a large amount of observations?

A) Qualitative research design
B) Quantitative research design
C) Experimental research design
D) Comparative research design

Question 12

The unit of analysis refers to the:

A) independent variable
B) dependent variable
C) general grouping of what is being studied
D) research hypothesis

Question 13

Which type of analysis is of non-numeric information for a small number of observations to produce a conclusion about how and why something happened in a particular way?

A) Research Analysis
B) Quantitative Analysis
C) Qualitative Analysis
D) Independent Analysis

Question 14

What is the confidence level?

A) The probability that the way a confidence interval is generated from a sample produces a result that contains the true population parameter
B) The measure of the precision of an estimate of the true population parameter
C) The degree of error that is expected between a sample statistic and the population parameter
D) The probability that the hypothesis is proved correct

Question 15

What is an experimental design?

A) A design in which the researcher can control the assignment of values on an independent variable to test its effect on a dependent variable
B) A design in which the researcher does not have control over the assignment of values within an independent variable
C) A design in which the observations included in the study are inherently similar to each other on a number of important dimensions so that variation in an independent variable can be used to explain variation in a dependent variable
D) A design in which the observations included in the study are very different from one another, but manifest the same value on the dependent variable under consideration

Question 16

Most similar system and most different system are examples of what type of design?

A) Quantitative
B) Qualitative
C) Observational
D) Comparative

Question 17

What is the set of all possible observations within a particular unit of analysis with particular characteristics in common?

A) Research Population
B) Research Section
C) Research Group
D) Research Collection

Question 18

What is a case study?

A) An observation of some event or phenomenon in one place, either at one point in time or over multiple points in time
B) An observation of some event or phenomenon in multiple places or time periods
C) An observation in which a relationship between two variables is statistically significant
D) A "snapshot" of the population

Question 19

Longitudinal data:

A) involves multiple contacts for the same subjects
B) involves multiple contacts for different subjects
C) involves one contact at one point in time
D) involves one contact for two points in time

Question 20

Panel data:

A) involves multiple contacts for the same subjects
B) involves multiple contacts for different subjects
C) involves one contact at one point in time
D) involves one contact for two points in time