Lecture 3: Qualitative & Quantitative Research

What are participants called in quantitative vs qualitative research?

Quantitative: subjects/study participants; Qualitative: study participants/informants.

What is a sample?

The collective group of study participants.

What is a principal investigator (PI)?

The researcher who directs the study team.

What is the difference between a concept and a construct?

Concept = abstraction/phenomenon; Construct = more complex abstraction used in theories.

What is a theory?

A systematic explanation of some aspect of reality that connects concepts into a coherent system.

What is the difference between a conceptual model and a theoretical framework?

Theoretical framework tests deductively whether a theory is true; conceptual/sensitizing framework guides inquiry and interpretation (often in qualitative studies).

Give an example of a theory used in research.

Self-efficacy theory.

What is a variable?

A characteristic/quality that varies between people (e.g., blood type, weight, length of stay).

What is the difference between independent and dependent variables?

Independent variable (IV): presumed cause; Dependent variable (DV): presumed effect.

Provide an example of IV and DV.

Smoking (IV) → Lung cancer (DV).

What is a continuous variable?

One that can take on many values (e.g., height).

What is a discrete variable?

One with whole numbers (e.g., number of children).

What is a categorical variable?

One with groups/categories (e.g., marital status).

What is a dichotomous variable?

A variable with only two values (e.g., gender).

What is the difference between attribute and active variables?

Attribute = inherent (cannot be manipulated, e.g., age); Active = can be manipulated (e.g., treatment).

What is a conceptual definition?

The abstract or theoretical meaning of a concept.

What is an operational definition?

The specific procedures/measurements used to collect data on a concept.

What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative data?

Quantitative = numeric; Qualitative = narrative/words.

What is a relationship in research?

A bond or connection between variables.

What is a causal relationship?

One variable causes an effect in another (e.g., smoking → lung cancer).

What is a functional (associative) relationship?

A connection without causation (e.g., gender and life expectancy).

What are the two main classes of quantitative research?

Experimental (introduces intervention) and nonexperimental (observational).

What are three major qualitative research traditions?

Grounded theory, phenomenology, ethnography.

What are the 5 phases of a quantitative study?

1. Conceptual, 2. Design & Planning, 3. Empirical, 4. Analytic, 5. Dissemination.

What happens in Phase 1 (Conceptual) of quantitative research?

Formulate problem, review literature, fieldwork, define framework, develop hypotheses.

What happens in Phase 2 (Design & Planning) of quantitative research?

Select design, develop intervention, identify population, sample plan, specify measurement/data collection methods, protect rights, finalize plan

What happens in Phase 3 (Empirical)?

Collect and prepare data for analysis.

What happens in Phase 4 (Analytic)?

Analyze data and interpret results.

What happens in Phase 5 (Dissemination)?

Communicate findings and apply them in practice.

What are the main activities in a qualitative study?

Conceptualizing & planning, conducting the study, disseminating findings.

What is the primary method of disseminating research?

Journal articles.

What sections are typically included in a research journal article?

Abstract, Introduction, Methodology, Results, Discussion.

What are common stylistic features of journal articles?

Compactness, jargon, objectivity, statistical information.