The nature of quantitative research

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  • Created by: Ellie
  • Created on: 15-05-19 18:26
What is the process of quantitative research?
1. Theory 2. Hypothesis 3. Research design 4. Devise measures of concepts 5. Respondents 6. Collect data 7. Process data 8. Analyse data 9. Findings 10. Write up findings
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What are the 3 main reasons for measurement?
1. It allows us to outline fine differences between people/objects 2. It gives us a consistent device for making distinctions 3. It provides the basis for more precise estimates of the degree of relationship between concepts
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What is an indicator?
Something that is devised or already exists
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What are some of the ways in which indicators can be devised?
1. Through questions 2. Through recording individuals' behaviour 3. Through official statistics 4. Through an examination of blog content using content analysis
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What is a likert scale?
A multiple-indicator/multiple item-measure of a set of attitudes relating to a particular area
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How can we test for stability?
Use the test-retest method
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What are the 3 prominent factors involved when considering whether a measure is reliable?
Stability, internal reliability and inter-rater reliability
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What is internal reliability?
Internal reliability assesses the consistency of results across items within a test
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What is inter-rater reliability?
The relative consistency of the judgements that are made of the same concept by two or more raters
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What is Cronbach's alpha?
A test of internal reliability that calculates the average of all possible split-half reliability coefficients
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What are some of the ways in which we can test measurement validity?
Using face, concurrent, predictive construct and convergent validity
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What is face validity?
The degree to which a procedure appears effective in terms of its stated aims
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What is concurrent validity?
Concurrent validity involves comparing a new test with an existing test to see if they produce similar results
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What is predictive validity?
The extent to which performance on a test is related to later performance that the test was designed to predict
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What is construct validity?
Construct validity defines how well a test measures up to its claims
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What is convergent validity?
The degree to which two measures of constructs that theoretically should be related, are in fact related
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What are the 4 distinctive preoccupations that can be discerned in quantitative research?
Measurement, causality, generalisation and replication
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What are the main criticisms of quantitative research?
1. Fails to separate social from natural 2. Too artificial 3. Heavy reliance on instruments/procedures affects relationship between research and every-day life 4. Static view of social life
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Card 2

Front

What are the 3 main reasons for measurement?

Back

1. It allows us to outline fine differences between people/objects 2. It gives us a consistent device for making distinctions 3. It provides the basis for more precise estimates of the degree of relationship between concepts

Card 3

Front

What is an indicator?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What are some of the ways in which indicators can be devised?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What is a likert scale?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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