Chapter 8: The Nature of Quantitative Research Flashcards
(13 cards)
What is quantitative research?
Research that focuses on quantifying data and using statistical methods to examine relationships.
Example: Measuring employee satisfaction levels on a 1–10 scale and analyzing the results.
What is a variable?
A measurable characteristic that can vary across individuals or groups.
Example: Age, income, or job performance score.
What is a hypothesis?
A testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables.
Example: “Higher job autonomy leads to greater job satisfaction.”
What is a research design in quantitative studies?
A structured plan that outlines how data will be collected and analyzed.
Example: Using a cross-sectional survey to compare different departments at one time.
What is measurement validity?
The extent to which a measure accurately reflects the concept it’s intended to capture.
Example: A burnout scale actually measures burnout, not general stress.
What is reliability in quantitative research?
The consistency of a measurement instrument over time.
Example: A survey that gives similar results when repeated with the same people.
What is operationalization?
The process of turning abstract concepts into measurable indicators.
Example: Measuring “leadership quality” through peer ratings and employee turnover.
What is a cross-sectional study?
A study that collects data at a single point in time on more than one case (Organizations, groups, etc.)
Example: Sending out a one-time survey to employees in two different departments about their current workload.
What is a longitudinal study?
A study that collects data over time to observe changes or trends.
Example: Tracking employee satisfaction every quarter for two years.
What is causality?
A relationship where one variable is shown to directly affect another.
Example: Finding that increasing wages leads to lower employee turnover.
What is a sampling frame?
A list or database from which a sample is drawn.
Example: A company’s full employee directory used to select survey participants.
What is statistical significance?
A measure of whether an observed effect is likely due to chance.
Example: A p-value below 0.05 indicating a meaningful result.
What is a structured instrument in research?
A tool with fixed questions and response options, often used in surveys.
Example: A Likert-scale questionnaire with options from “Strongly Agree” to “Strongly Disagree.”
