Chapter 10: Understanding Quantitative Research Design

Chapter 10: Understanding Quantitative Research Design

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. What is the best research approach for investigating the actual representation of Hispanic managers within health care institutions, and the workplace beliefs and prejudices that perpetuate their disproportionate representation?

ANS:  A

Triangulation is the combined use of two or more theories, methods, data sources, investigators, or analysis methods in the study of the same phenomenon. Five types of triangulation are proposed: (1) data triangulation, (2) investigator triangulation, (3) theoretical triangulation, (4) methodological triangulation, and (5) analysis triangulation. Multiple triangulation is the combination of more than one of these types. In the example, methodological triangulation should be used in the study of the research problem. Triangulation is used to ensure that the most comprehensive approach is taken to solve a research problem.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application           REF:   Page 208

2. What is the principal disadvantage of triangulated research?

ANS:  C

Triangulation is the combined use of two or more theories, methods, data sources, investigators, or analysis methods in the study of the same phenomenon. There is concern that triangulation will be used in studies for which it is not appropriate. An additional concern is that the popularization of the method will generate a number of triangulated studies that have been poorly conducted. With methodological triangulation, both data collection and data analysis are more time-consuming, because essentially two closely related studies are conducted simultaneously or in close succession. These strategies require many observations and result in large volumes of data for analysis. The results are no more difficult to understand than are the results of any study. Most doctorally prepared researchers have both quantitative and qualitative preparation; however, because researchers tend to acquire their research training within a particular research tradition, attempts to incorporate another research tradition may be poorly achieved. Publication opportunities are increased with triangulated research, since quantitative and qualitative portions of the study are often published separately.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Synthesis              REF:   Page 208

3. Causality is tested through which of the following?

ANS:  B

The first assumptions one must make in examining causality are that things have causes and that causes lead to effects. The original criteria for causation required that a variable should cause an identified effect each time the cause occurred. Probability addresses relative, rather than absolute, causality. From a perspective of probability, a cause will not produce a specific effect each time that particular cause occurs. The reasoning behind probability is more in keeping with the complexity of multicausality. The purpose of an experimental design is to examine cause and effect. The independent variable in a study is expected to be the cause, and the dependent variable is expected to reflect the effect of the independent variable.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Comprehension     REF:   Page 195

4. Why is selection of an appropriate design for a research study important?

ANS:  A

A research design is the blueprint for conducting a study. It maximizes control over factors that could interfere with the validity of the study findings. Being able to identify the study design and to evaluate design flaws that might threaten the validity of findings is an important part of critically appraising studies. When conducting a study, the research design guides the researcher in planning and implementing a study in a way to achieve accurate results. The control achieved through the quantitative study design increases the probability that the study findings are an accurate reflection of reality.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analysis                REF:   Page 195

5. Thirty patients with psoriasis are treated with ultraviolet light B phototherapy, delivered by a therapist. Their symptoms become worse at first, and then improve. During the summer their symptoms become better without treatment. Then fall arrives, and symptoms worsen. Patients go back to UVL B, and they improve. Why, according to Hume, can the relationship between UVL B phototherapy and symptom severity not be considered a classically causal one?

ANS:  C

Some of the ideas related to causation emerged from the logical positivist philosophical tradition. Hume, a positivist, proposed that the following three conditions must be met to establish causality: (1) there must be a strong relationship between the proposed cause and the effect, (2) the proposed cause must precede the effect in time, and (3) the cause has to be present whenever the effect occurs. Cause, according to Hume, is not directly observable but must be inferred.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application           REF:   Page 195