Quiz

Take the quiz to test your understanding of the key concepts covered in the chapter. Try testing yourself before you read the chapter to see where your strengths and weaknesses are, then test yourself again once you’ve read the chapter to see how well you’ve understood.

1. Match the definition to the correct research term:

Research term

  • Non-probability sampling
  • Inductive reasoning
  • Bias
  • Data saturation
  • Iterative process
  • Reflexivity

 Definition

  • The constant review of data until data analysis has been completed
  • When the findings are distorted
  • Development of a theory based on a study’s findings
  • The researcher reflects upon the impact of their knowledge, experience and beliefs on the conduct of the research
  • When data collection and analysis does not reveal any new findings and so the recruitment of further participants is unnecessary
  • Participants are recruited because they have ongoing or prior experience of the phenomena the researcher is exploring

 

Answer: 

  • Non-probability sampling – participants are recruited because they have ongoing or prior experience of the phenomena the researcher is exploring
  • Inductive reasoning – development of a theory based on a study’s findings
  • Bias – when the findings are distorted
  • Data saturation – when data collection and analysis does not reveal any new findings and so the recruitment of further participants is unnecessary
  • Iterative process – the constant review of data until data analysis has been completed
  • Reflexivity – the researcher reflects upon the impact of their knowledge, experience and beliefs on the conduct of the research

 

 2. Identify which of the following characteristics apply to quantitative research and which apply to qualitative research:

  1. Underpinning paradigm of positivism

  2. Research methods include phenomenology and ethnography

  3. Narrow, reductionist focus

  4. Nature of evidence subjective

  5. Rigour determined by assessing validity and reliability

  6. Aims to discover empirical evidence

  7. Underpinning paradigm of interpretivism

  8. Starts with an hypothesis or null hypothesis

  9. Inductive reasoning

  10. Uses fixed, structured designs

  11. Nature of evidence objective

  12. Aims to discover meanings

  13. Involves large, representative samples

  14. Extensive data collection with a narrow focus

  15. Sample size often determined by data saturation

  16. Often involves a pilot study

  17. Broad, holistic focus

  18. Tests cause and effect relationships

  19. Identifies correlations

  20. Rigour determined by assessing trustworthiness

  21. Generates rich, detailed narrative data

  22. Intensive data collection with a wide focus

  23. Carried out in a natural setting

  24. Deductive reasoning

  25. Does not involve a pilot study

  26. Sample size often calculated using a power calculation

  27. Starts with broad question, problem or idea

  28. Structured data collection tools

  29. Generates numerical, quantifiable data

  30. Involves small, relevant samples

  31. Results presented numerically using tables, charts and graphs

  32. Uses flexible, evolving designs

  33. Attempts are made to control the environment

  34. Findings presented as detailed descriptions often with direct quotes

  35. Semi or unstructured data collection tools

  36. Research methods include RCTs and cohort studies

Answer: 

  1. Underpinning paradigm of positivism – quantitative
  2. Research methods include phenomenology and ethnography – qualitative
  3. Narrow, reductionist focus – quantitative
  4. Nature of evidence subjective – qualitative
  5. Rigour determined by assessing validity and reliability – quantitative
  6. Aims to discover empirical evidence – quantitative
  7. Underpinning paradigm of interpretivism – qualitative
  8. Starts with an hypothesis or null hypothesis – quantitative
  9. Inductive reasoning – qualitative
  10. Uses fixed, structured designs – quantitative
  11. Nature of evidence objective – quantitative
  12. Aims to discover meanings – qualitative
  13. Involves large, representative samples – quantitative
  14. Extensive data collection with a narrow focus – quantitative
  15. Sample size often determined by data saturation – qualitative
  16. Often involves a pilot study – quantitative
  17. Broad, holistic focus – qualitative
  18. Tests cause and effect relationships – quantitative
  19. Identifies correlations – quantitative
  20. Rigour determined by assessing trustworthiness – qualitative
  21. Generates rich, detailed narrative data – qualitative
  22. Intensive data collection with a wide focus – quantitative
  23. Carried out in a natural setting – qualitative
  24. Deductive reasoning – quantitative
  25. Does not involve a pilot study – qualitative
  26. Sample size often calculated using a power calculation – quantitative
  27. Starts with broad question, problem or idea – qualitative
  28. Structured data collection tools – qualitative
  29. Generates numerical, quantifiable data – quantitative
  30. Involves small, relevant samples – qualitative
  31. Results presented numerically using tables, charts and graphs – quantitative
  32. Uses flexible, evolving designs – qualitative
  33. Attempts are made to control the environment – quantitative
  34. Findings presented as detailed descriptions often with direct quotes – qualitative
  35. Semi or unstructured data collection tools – qualitative
  36. Research methods include RCTs and cohort studies – quantitative