Deck 5: Collecting Quantitative Data

Question 1

Which of the following is the best example of a unit of analysis level in quantitative data collection?

A)Trust
B)Gender
C)Individual
D)Social-interaction

Answer 1

C

Question 2

What is the most rigorous sampling procedure that a quantitative researcher could use?

A)Simple random sampling
B)Systematic cluster sampling
C)Randomized design sampling
D)Selective study sampling

Answer 2

A

Question 3

You are administering an instrument about weapon possession to high school students in a drama class.As you give instructions for completing the instrument,several students interrupt you and say that they will not complete the instrument.What should be your course of action?

A)Call their parents after school lets out.
B)Ask if they would consent to interviews.
C)Ask them to complete "safe" questions.
D)Allow them to not participate in the study.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Snowball sampling is illustrated with which of the following procedures?

A)A researcher accumulates participants over time in the design.
B)A researcher asks a principal to have her teachers fill out instruments.
C)A researcher uses a random numbers table to select participants.
D)A researcher selects individuals who are willing to participate.

Question 5

In the parent involvement study,Deslandes and Bertrand 2005)mentioned the following in paragraph 18,about the variable,"parents role:"
"Parents role construction…We used a construct that comprised 10 items alpha=.72)that measure behaviors that are parent focused,school focused,and mainly partnership focused in accordance with the adolescents' education."
What important information is missing in this discussion that would indicate that the variable is a good one to use?

Question 6

You decide to locate an instrument to use in your quantitative study.The following are recommended strategies to use to locate this instrument EXCEPT to

A)look in the guides available for commercial instruments.
B)consult the ERIC Web site for instruments.
C)ask your faculty advisor to recommend an instrument.
D)look in published journal article studies for an instrument.

Question 7

The researcher has a list of all students in the elementary school that have been designated as "gifted" students.In the process of quantitative data collection,this list represents

A)the target population of "gifted" students.
B)the population of "gifted" students.
C)the random sample of "gifted" students.
D)the mailing list of "gifted" students.

Question 8

A graduate student plans to conduct a study about the use of computers in the middle school classroom.To obtain permission for this study,the student visits with the head of research and evaluation in the school district,the principal of the middle school,and the university institutional review board.What permission is also needed before the student begins the study?

A)Permission from the Apple corporation
B)Permission from the informed consent group
C)Permission from the technology center in the school
D)Permission from parents of the students

Question 9

For your study,you need to collect data one the practices of a teacher while conducting a classroom activity in a school.What type of instrument would be the best choice?

A)Interest inventory
B)Affective scale
C)Practice inventory
D)Behavioral checklist

Question 10

Which one of the following sampling procedures illustrates nonprobability sampling?

A)Every nth student is selected from the population list.
B)Students are sampled so that they are representative of the population.
C)The probability of the sample in the population is low.
D)Students are sampled based on availability to complete the instrument.

Question 11

Of the following options,which one is an example of an "attitudinal" measure?

A)Negative views toward school choice
B)Data about how many students choose a school
C)Basic skills of students attending a school
D)Career choices of students attending a school

Question 12

A researcher would like to study the predictability of behaviors over time.This researcher would locate an instrument such as

A)an interest inventory.
B)an aptitude test.
C)a personality assessment.
D)a behavioral checklist.

Question 13

If you decide to design your own instrument for quantitative data collection rather than modify or locate an existing instrument,you should know that

A)the instrument will reflect your own biases.
B)the instrument will be difficult to design.
C)your advisor will need to give approval.
D)the instrument will likely modify an existing instrument.

Question 14

In the question below,indicate the type of scale used by the author:
"How frequently do you chew smokeless tobacco?"
________ Very frequently
________ Frequently
________ Seldom
________ Never

Question 15

Describe the purpose of having an informed consent form in a research study:

Question 16

Which of the following is a potential problem with systematic sampling?

A)It does not account for researcher stratifications.
B)It is difficult to select the individuals.
C)Adjacent names in a list cannot be selected.
D)It is a purposeful sampling procedure.

Question 17

Various forms of evidence can be used to establish the validity of scores on an instrument.Which of the following forms is a source of validity evidence that you might use?

A)Evidence based on the test scores at two different times
B)Evidence based on the ratings of multiple observers
C)Evidence based on the consistency of the test scores
D)Evidence based on the relationship of test scores to external variables

Question 18

Why do we thoughtfully determine sample size? Select the best answer.

A)Because the IRB process requires it
B)Because of the size needed for statistics
C)Because our advisor recommends it
D)Because our findings require it

Question 19

Examine the informed consent form below.Indicate eight provisions included in this form that researchers should use when writing this form.
Title: "Experiences in Learning Quantitative Research"
The following information is provided for you to decide whether you wish to voluntarily participate in the presentstudy. You should be aware that you are free to decide not to participate or to withdraw at any time without affecting your relationship with this department, the instructor,or the University. The purpose of this study is to relate past experiences with research to scores on the quizzes in class.

Data will be collected using a brief survey at the beginning of the class. Then, three quizzes will be given during the semester and your scores recorded. The survey data and your quiz scores will be the only data collected in the study. Do not hesitate to ask questions about the study before participating or during the study. I would be happy to share the findings with you after the research is completed. Your name will not be associated with the researchfindings in any way, and only the researchers will know your identity.

There are no known risks and/or discomforts associated with this study. The expected benefits associated with your participation are the information about the experiences in learning research methods. If this study is later submitted for publication, a by-line will indicate the participation of all students in the class. Please sign this consent form. You are signing it with full knowledge of the nature and purpose of the procedures. A copy of this form will be given to you to keep.

$\underline{\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad}$ $\quad$$\quad$$\underline{\quad\quad\quad\quad}$
Signature $\quad$$\quad$$\quad$$\quad$$\quad$$\quad$$\quad$$\quad$ Date
Jane W. Smith, Professor, City University (111-312-5432) The eight provisions are:
a.Provision 1 ________
b.Provision 2 ________
c.Provision 3 ________
d.Provision 4 ________
e.Provision 5 ________
f.Provision 6 ________
g.Provision 7 ________
h.Provision 8 ________