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Research Methods Essentials
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1
Question
What is an accidental sample in research sampling methods?
Page 1
Answer
A non-probability sampling technique where researchers gather data from individuals they encounter by chance or who are convenient to sample.
2
Question
What is applied research and how does it differ from pure/basic research?
Page 1
Answer
Applied research addresses real-world topics or problems with the intent of finding practical solutions, unlike pure/basic research which focuses on theory and knowledge generation without immediate practical application.
3
Question
What is an audit trail in qualitative research?
Page 1
Answer
A record of the decisions and steps taken when gathering and analysing data, used to document how findings were produced.
4
Question
What does authenticity mean in the context of qualitative analysis?
Page 1
Answer
The extent to which the analysis of a phenomenon corresponds with reality — how accurately the analysis reflects the studied phenomenon.
5
Question
What is axial coding in qualitative data analysis?
Page 1
Answer
The second stage of qualitative data analysis in which specific passages are labelled and grouped under certain themes (tagging) to relate categories and subcategories.
6
Question
What characterizes a between-subjects design?
Page 1
Answer
A research design where different subjects are randomly assigned to different treatment or control groups, and causality is inferred from observed post-treatment differences between groups.
7
Question
What is case study research and its primary purpose?
Page 1
Answer
A method involving in-depth investigation of a single individual, group, or event with the purpose of identifying causal principles and gaining detailed understanding.
8
Question
State the central limit theorem as used in statistics.
Page 1
Answer
Regardless of the population distribution's shape, the distributions of both the sum and the mean of random samples approach a normal distribution as sample size increases.
9
Question
What is cluster sampling in probability sampling techniques?
Page 1
Answer
A technique where the researcher divides the population into subgroups (clusters) and then randomly selects entire clusters from which to sample individuals.
10
Question
What is a codebook in a research study?
Page 1
Answer
A detailed set of instructions that informs research team members how to apply appropriate codes to each case in the study.
11
Question
What does coding mean in qualitative analysis?
Page 1
Answer
The process of moving from full text to themes or variables by assigning labels to segments of data for organization and analysis.
12
Question
What is computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS)?
Page 1
Answer
Computer programs designed to assist researchers in coding, retrieving, storing, and analysing qualitative data.
13
Question
How is the term 'concept' defined in research terminology?
Page 1
Answer
A defined term that enables us to organise and classify phenomena — an abstract idea that represents qualities in the world.
14
Question
What are conditional variables and how do they affect relationships between independent and dependent variables?
Page 1
Answer
Variables that strengthen the relationship between the independent variable (IV) and dependent variable (DV) for some categories of the conditional variable while weakening the relationship for others.
15
Question
What are measures of association?
Page 3
Answer
Statistical measures that quantify the strength of the relationship between two variables.
16
Question
What are member checks in qualitative research?
Page 3
Answer
The process of verifying study results by consulting with study subjects to confirm interpretations or findings.
17
Question
What is meta-analysis?
Page 3
Answer
A statistical procedure that combines data from multiple research studies to draw conclusions from the body of research.
18
Question
What is microdata?
Page 3
Answer
Non-aggregated data that allow the researcher to consider individual units of analysis (e.g., individual responses or cases).
19
Question
What are 'most different systems' in comparative research?
Page 3
Answer
A comparative strategy that compares very different systems to explain a similar outcome across them.
20
Question
What are 'most similar systems' in comparative research?
Page 3
Answer
A comparative strategy that compares very similar systems to explain different outcomes between them.
21
Question
What is multicollinearity and why is it a problem?
Page 3
Answer
The existence of a relationship between independent variables (IVs) that violates the linear regression assumption that IVs should be unrelated; it can distort coefficient estimates and standard errors.
22
Question
What is a multidimensional concept?
Page 3
Answer
A concept made up of different elements or dimensions; each dimension must be captured in its definition and measurement.
23
Question
What is multi-method research?
Page 3
Answer
Research that uses different data collection methodologies (e.g., combining qualitative and quantitative methods).
24
Question
What is a natural experiment?
Page 3
Answer
A situation in which naturally occurring events create conditions that appear to be randomly assigned, with no planned intervention, allowing allocation of control/treatment groups for analysis.
25
Question
What are non-parametric statistics?
Page 3
Answer
Statistical methods that make no assumptions about the underlying data distribution (e.g., do not assume normality).
26
Question
What is non-response bias?
Page 3
Answer
Bias that occurs when individuals who respond to a study differ systematically from those who do not respond.
27
Question
What is normative analysis?
Page 3
Answer
A prescriptive form of analysis that addresses how things should be (value-based judgments).
28
Question
What is objectivity in science?
Page 3
Answer
The belief that science should create an accurate representation of reality independent of researchers' personal biases.
29
Question
What are omnibus surveys?
Page 3
Answer
Surveys not dedicated to one specific issue; they cover multiple, more general topics and can be sponsored by multiple organizations.
30
Question
What is open coding in qualitative data analysis?
Page 3
Answer
The first stage of qualitative data analysis where researchers identify general patterns and themes in the data.