Quantitative Research & Inquiry Fundamentals

A comprehensive set of Q&A flashcards covering definitions, characteristics, designs, variables, problem formulation, research questions, and hypotheses in quantitative research.

What is the basic definition of quantitative research?

A systematic empirical investigation of social phenomena using mathematical, statistical, and computational tools.

According to Aliaga & Gunderson (2002), quantitative research is _.

Explaining phenomena by collecting numerical data analyzed with mathematically based methods, especially statistics.

What two main goals do quantitative researchers seek (Leedy & Ormrod, 2015)?

Explanations and predictions that can be generalized and replicated.

Which characteristic of quantitative research involves surveys, tests, or laboratory measurements?

Use of structured research instruments to gather data.

Why are large sample sizes important in quantitative research?

They increase representativeness, enabling results to be generalized to the population.

Replicability in quantitative studies is mainly ensured by what attribute?

High reliability of the research instruments and procedures.

In quantitative research, the research question must be _ and objective answers are sought.

Clearly defined

Formulating and testing _ is a core activity of quantitative research.

Hypotheses

How are data typically presented in quantitative research reports?

As numbers and statistics, often in tables, charts, or figures.

What does generalizability mean in quantitative studies?

Findings can be applied to broader groups or situations beyond the sample.

Name one strength of quantitative research concerning breadth.

It allows drawing generalizable conclusions from large samples.

Why is quantitative research generally easier to replicate?

Because procedures and statistical techniques are standardized and well documented.

Which strength relates to communicating findings across disciplines?

Consistent statistical terms and analytical techniques make data communication easier.

Give one weakness of quantitative research related to human behavior.

Some aspects of people and interactions are difficult or impossible to measure numerically.

How can an over-emphasis on trends become a weakness?

It may hinder deeper examination of nuanced or deviant cases.

What measurement error risk can mislead quantitative conclusions?

Errors in data collection or modeling.

Why might self-administered surveys yield inaccurate data?

Respondents may provide socially desirable answers or make errors.

List two fields where quantitative research is widely used.

Business & Management; Medical Sciences (others include Marketing, Social Sciences, Engineering, etc.).

How does quantitative market research assist service industries?

By estimating consumer attitudes, market sizing, segmentation, and purchase drivers.

Which engineering activities rely heavily on quantitative designs?

Inventions, product design, modeling, and structural strength analysis.

What are the two major categories of quantitative research designs?

Experimental and Non-experimental.

Describe a true experimental design.

Rigid manipulation of variables with control and random assignment.

What distinguishes quasi-experimental from true experimental designs?

Use of control without randomization of participants.

Which non-experimental design simply describes the status of a variable?

Descriptive research (often surveys).

What is the purpose of predictive (correlational) research?

To forecast or predict phenomena without establishing cause and effect.

Exploratory research aims to _ or test a theory to explain how and why it operates.

Develop

Cross-sectional studies collect data at how many points in time?

A single point in time.

Retrospective studies compare present data with _ data.

Estimated or recorded past

Longitudinal studies gather data when?

At present and again in the future to compare data sets across time.

Define an independent variable.

A variable that probably causes, influences, or predicts outcomes (the treatment or predictor variable).

Define a dependent variable.

The outcome that depends on the independent variable.

What is an intervening (mediating) variable?

A variable that stands between the IV and DV, showing how the IV affects the DV.

Why are control variables measured?

To statistically control their influence on the dependent variable.

Antecedent variables occur ____ the independent variable.

Before (and may influence it).

Continuous variables can take an _ number of values and be divided into fractions.

Infinite

Give an example of an interval variable.

Temperature in °C or IQ score.

How does a ratio variable differ from an interval variable?

It has an absolute zero indicating none of the variable (e.g., weight, height).

What type of variable has categories with no intrinsic order?

Nominal variable (e.g., blood type).

Ordinal variables have categories that can be _.

Ranked or ordered (e.g., income brackets).

What is the first step in the research process?

Identify a research topic and transform it into a researchable problem or question.

A problem becomes researchable when there is a discrepancy between _ and what should be, with two or more plausible explanations.

What is

List one question used when defining a research problem.

Does the problem really exist? (others: Is it serious? How widespread? How often?)

Name the four essential characteristics of a good research problem.

Relevant, feasible, clear, ethical.

Why must a research problem be feasible?

Resources such as time, money, personnel, and tools must be available to investigate it.

Provide one example of an ethical issue in research problems.

Applying physical punishment to students solely for an experiment is unethical.

State one characteristic of a good research topic concerning researcher interest.

The researcher is passionate and can sustain interest throughout the study.

A valuable research topic should contribute to _

Knowledge and/or societal improvement.

What final check ensures a topic is workable?

Assessing whether data can be feasibly collected and analyzed with available resources.

Give one strategy for narrowing a broad topic.

Add layers of specificity (e.g., focus on cooperative learning in physics rather than learning in general).

Which checklist question evaluates topic practicality?

Do I have sufficient time, money, and skills to carry out the study?

Differentiate a research topic from a research problem.

A topic is the broad subject; a problem is a specific issue, concern, or gap within that topic.

Name one common source of research topics.

Personal experience (others: theory, literature/media).

What are the three main types of quantitative research questions?

Descriptive, Comparative, Relational.

Descriptive questions aim to _

Objectively describe characteristics of a person, group, or phenomenon.

Comparative questions look for _ between/among groups.

Differences or similarities

Relational questions investigate _ between variables.

Associations, interactions, or causal links

One criterion for evaluating research questions is that they should be _.

Researchable (answerable through data collection and analysis).

Research questions must clearly specify the study's participants and _.

Variables

Define a hypothesis in research.

An educated, testable prediction about the relationship between variables.

List two characteristics of a good hypothesis.

Clear and understandable; testable and measurable (also explains expected outcome, contains IV and DV).

What is a null hypothesis?

A statement that there is no significant relationship or difference between variables/groups.

What is an alternative (research) hypothesis?

A statement indicating a significant relationship or difference exists between variables/groups.

Directional hypotheses specify the _ of a relationship.

Direction (positive/direct or negative/inverse).

Provide an example of a directional hypothesis.

The higher the advertisement expenses, the higher the monthly gross sales.

Non-directional hypotheses state only that a relationship or difference _

Exists, without specifying direction.

When complying with typical quantitative standards, which hypothesis form is commonly used?

Non-directional null hypothesis.

Why is statistical control of variables important?

To isolate the true influence of the independent variable on the dependent variable.

What does replicability strengthen in a study?

Reliability and credibility of findings.

Explain generalizability with an example.

If findings on English proficiency and math/science performance in one school hold true across many schools, they are generalizable.

Which time-dimension design compares present data with past records?

Retrospective study.

Give one reason measurement errors can occur in quantitative research.

Respondents misreporting answers on self-administered questionnaires.

How can quantitative findings influence policy?

By providing proof (statistical evidence) that guides laws, rules, or regulations.

What does SWS’s consistent annual survey question illustrate about instrumentation?

High reliability through repeated, consistent measurement.

Name one quantitative tool used in psychology.

Standardized psychological tests (others: questionnaires, lab tests).

In variable measurement, what does an 'absolute zero' indicate?

None of the variable is present (defining a ratio scale).

Why should ambiguous terms be avoided in problem statements?

To ensure clarity about what is being investigated and measured.