Research Methods Flashcards

1
Q

Inductive Research/theory

A

1.) Make an Observation
2.) Choose Methods
3.) Gather Data
4.) Analyze Data
5.) Literature review
6.) Results

-Naturalistic
-There is order at all points-human interaction has patterns
-data to theory/data up/bottom up
-theory is not your friend

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2
Q

Deductive Research/theory

A

1.) Make an observation
2.) Literature Review
3.) Form Hypothesis
4.) Methods
5.)Gather Data
6.) Analyze data
7.) Write Results

-Formal Procedure
ex: lab experiments
-Predicts Behavior
-Theory to data approach/ top down (theory Down)
-Previous literature is good
-Focuses on quantitative analysis

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3
Q

Pros and Cons of Inductive Research

A

Advantages
- Go with the flow
-could have many results
-preserves data’s integrity
analyzes behavior includes raw data

Disadvantages
-might not study planned topic

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4
Q

Pros and Cons of deductive research

A

Advantages
- More control on what is being studied
-structured process
-stats

Disadvantages
- not studying right things
-lab experiments might not be realistic

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5
Q

Major Questions of research methods today?

A

1.)Media
2.) Technology
3.) Relationships
4.) Identity

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6
Q

What counts as data?

A

naturalistic data
- video, audio, transcripts
-ethnographic field notes

Contrived data
-data from experiments
-survey data

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7
Q

What do you do with your data?

A

-Code it or data reduction (Talley marks)
-Stats
-use your data directly

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8
Q

Independent vs dependent variables

A

Independent Variable will influence change on other variables

Dependent variables are changed by other variables

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9
Q

Research question vs research hypothesis

A

Hypothesis- will be a statement that ends with a period. Draw Conclusions based on other studies

Research questions- will be phased in question formate that end in a question mark. Not much is know or very broad

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10
Q

Primary vs secondary research reports

A

Primary Research report are first reporting of studies

Secondary Reports will include second hand account of the primary reports like a text book.

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11
Q

Nominal Measurement Measurement Scales

A

Classifies a variable into qualitatively different categories like Yes or no.

  • They must be mutually exclusive
  • Categories must be equivalent
    *Categories must be exhaustive

ex- survey Question - Out of the three which is your favorite?

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12
Q

Ordinal Measurement Techniques

A

*Classifies them using nominal categories
*also ranks order of categories by being greater than or less than
*You do not know the distance between rankings

ex- Race winnings

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13
Q

Likert Measurement Techniques

A

*Measures extent of a persons beliefs, attitudes or feelings towards something
*include a nutreal or equal point
* equal distance between rankings
ex- Survey question about how you feel about the cold

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14
Q

Semantic Differential Measurement Techniques

A
  • Measures the meaning people associate with concept object or experience
    *Uses a scale with two adjective that are opposites at each end (pleasant, Unpleasant)
    *Participants rate where they land between the two adjectives

Ex- rank your feelings of public speaking 10 being confident and 1 being not confident

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15
Q

Self-report data

A
  • Ask people to comment on themselves

Advantages
-Efficient
-Allows researchers to study things that cannot be observed

Disadvantages
-what people do and what they believe may be different
-people may not provide accurate information

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16
Q

other-reported data

A

-Asking other about the participant

Advantages
- may be more accurate then self report data

Disadvantages
-Could be inaccurate
-unmotivated to provide information
-bias

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17
Q

observational data

A
  • When someone observes someone else

advantages
- More accurate

Disadvantages
- Show what people do and not what they believe
-Behaviors observed must match area of interest

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18
Q

Reliability

A

Consistency and stability

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19
Q

Validity

A

Accuracy of a study

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20
Q

What is Internal Validity

A

The accuracy of the conclusion
-How the study was designed
-How study was conducted
-how do your findings support your conclusions

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21
Q

What is External Validity?

A

Generlizability of findings
- can be applied to other people/texts places or times

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22
Q

Ways to measure reliability

A

*Multiple admin
- Test retest
-Alternative procedure method

*Single-admin
-Split-half
-Cronbach’s alpha

*Intercoder/interrater/interobserver

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23
Q

Multiple Admin: Test-Retest

A

*Test retest
Re administer the same measurement producer to the same group of people at different times

Problems
1.) might not be reliable just because there is a change
2.)Time in between re administering will have an impact
3.) Respondents have already been familiarized to test (sensation)

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24
Q

Multiple Admin: Alternative procedure method

A

*Same people complete another equivalent instrument at the second administration
*Use a coefficient of equivalency to determine the reliability

Problems
1.) Both instruments must be valid and reliable

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25
Single Admin: Split-half
*sperate peoples answers on an instrument into two parts and compare both halves Problems 1.) people getting tired of answering questions 2.) people getting better at answering questions
26
Single Admin: Cronbach’s Alpha
*Statistic used to measure realiablity of questions on survery. *Should be .7 or greater to be relaible
27
Intercoder/interrater/interobserver
*calculates the percentage of agreement between Intercoder, interrater, interobserver *allows researchers to be able to pinpoint and change what might be impacting their studies
28
Threats to internal validity
*How a study is conducted *Research Participants *Researchers
29
Potential Problem with how the study is conducted?
*History *Sleeper effect *Sensitization *Data analysis
30
What is the history effect?
-Changes in the external environment in a study that causes the participant to have their behavior influenced
31
What is the sleeper effect?
-Effect that is not immediately apparent -The results took longer to show up
32
What is Sensitization?
- Give same test twice and then participants might know what to look for
33
What threats does DATA ANALYSIS have on internal validity?
-When the incorrect method is used to analysis the data gathered finding might not be Valid
34
What are potential problems that research participants face
*Hawthorne Effect *Selection *statistical regression *mortality *maturation *interparticipant bias
35
What is the Hawthorne Effect?
The participant know they are being observed
36
How does SELECTION impact internal validity?
-When you do not have the correct population selected for study. Finding might not be reliable or Valid
37
What is Statistical Regression?
-Extreme scores go down towards the average (floor and ceiling effect)
38
What is Morality?
Participants move or die
39
What is Maturation?
Impacts longer studies where participant become more mature
40
What is interparticipant bias
-Participants influence each other
41
Potential Problems Involving Researchers
*Personal attribute effect *Unintentional expectancy effect *Observational biases
42
Personal Attribute effect
-Characteristics like age and race of a researcher influence peoples behavior
43
Unintentional expectancy effect
- Research unintentionally influence research participants
44
Observational biases
- Observers knowledge influences observations - Observers start to become inconsistent with observations
45
Treats to external validity
*Sampling *Ecological validity *Replication
46
What is Sampling
* a subgroup from a population of people who has a particular characteristics
47
What are the four types of Random Samples
-Simple -Systemic -Stratified -Cluster
48
What is a Simple Sample
- each participant is assigned a number then researcher selects from those numbers so there is an equal chance Problem- Obtaining a list that is represents the population
49
What is a systemic sample
- You pick a number and every nth person is selected Problems- Could have a biased sample
50
What is a stratified Sample
-Categorizes population based on characteristic Problem- Might be hard to find enough participants to fit each characteristic
51
What is a Cluster Sample
-Used when a list cannot be obtained 1.) Research selects Custer from population 2.) Research uses cluster from step one and selects individuals from that cluster
52
Types of Nonrandom Sampling
1.) Convince 2.) Volunteer 3.)Purposive 4.)Quota 5.) Network
53
What is a Conivence Sample
Asking at random based on availability Problem- No guarantee that ups will get a sample that is representative
54
What is a Volunteer Sample?
You have people who self volunteer themselves Problems- Those who volunteer might be passionate about it Incentives
55
What is a Purposive Sample
-Participants are chosen on characteristic
56
What is a Quota sample
Participants are selected non-randomly on the basis of a characteristic in a population and research sets quota for each characteristic group.
57
What is a network sample
You ask those who participate for referrals for others
58
Ecological validity
- Accurately describes what actually occurs in real life circumstances
59
replication
-Conducting a study that repeats or duplicates in some way a previous study Exact- Replicated it as closely as possible but will have different participants Partial- Have some similar things and some things that are different Conceptual- Has same issues being looked at but different procedure
60
Ethical issues regarding data
1.) Benefits of Study 2.) Participant consent 3.) confidentiality and Anonymity 4.) Are participants appropriate for the study? 5.) What could be harmful? 6.) consequences 7.) Research Role 8.) Is the design valid? 9.) Will the researcher carryout the study in a valid way?
61
What is Microanalysis?
Looks at small details that occur within communication by using conversational analysis or Interaction Analysis
62
Practical Applications of Microanalysis
-Call Centers - Interviews -Thearpy
63
Process of Microanalysis
1.) Pick a interaction/setting 2.) Gather Data 3.) Transcribe data 4.) Analyze data
64
Advantages and Disadvantages of Microanalysis
Pros- -Inductive so maximizes possibilities -Integrity of interactions is preserved -high ecological validity -Many studies can be complete from data -Can look at very tiny details Cons- Time consuming to transcribe data access may be difficult selection of interaction might be straight forward
65
What is Ethnography?
-analyzes communication within groups, a communication activity or setting
66
Process of Ethnography?
1.) Choose something to observe 2.) Negotiate access (involvement and data collection method) 3.)Choose a role 4.) Record data (field Notes) 5.) Conduct Interviews 6.) Analyze data 7.) Interpret results
67
Pros/ Cons of Ethnographies
Pros- *Maximizes possibilities *Preserves integrity of data *Analyses impact of content on communication *Finds deeper meaning associated with communication Cons- *Hard to Control variables *Time Commitment *Could be hard to get access *Quality can be difficult since it is subjective *Selection of social action might be biased *Sampling might be thrown off
68
Practical Applications of Ethnographies
Study of different cultures International companies Corporate mergers customer satisfaction
69
What are Surveys?
A way to collect data from a group of people through questions to get information on their beefs feelings and attitudes
70
Process of Surveys?
1.) Define what you are gathering 2.) Choose population and sampling method 3.) Create questions 4.) Do a pilot study 5.) Distribute Survey 6.) Analyze data 7.) Interpret results
71
Pro/Cons of Surveys
Pros- *Allows to see inaccessible behavior *Pretty straight forward to conduct *A lot of information in little time *Gather information from large group *Can be inexpensive *deductive so you can study specific variables Cons- *Do not deal directly with Communication *Won’t Accurately report behavior *social desirability bias *Can be time consuming and expensive *Hard to write good questions and format well *Response rates can be low *Closed questions may limit findings *Other areas for bias
72
What are Experiments?
Control setting to test manipulation of variables to observe effects
73
Pros/Cons of Experiments
Pros- *Controlled Environment *Replicated *High internal validity Cons *Might not accurately reflect really world conditions *Ethical concerns *Complex
74
Process of conducting experiments
1.) Create Hypothesis 2.) Identify variables 3.) Select/create research design 4.) Select a sample 5.) Conduct a pilot study 6.) Administer experiment 7.)Analyze data 8.) Interpret results
75
Theoretical Saturation in Ethnographies
When you no longer see new patterns in what you are studying
76
Ethnographic Vs. Survey interviewing
Ethnographic- to gain deeper understanding of observations *Informal and Conversational *Questions can be adaptable to participant Survey- To collect standardized information from group of people *Structured and Formal *Questions are limited on adaptability
77
Pros/Cons of Written Questionnaires
Pros *Efficient *Standardized *Can be anonymous Cons *Limited Depth *Low Response Rate *Research cannot clarify questions
78
Pros/Cons of Oral Interviews
Pros -Provide more depth -Higher response Rate -See nonverbal -Questions can be clarified -Questions can be adaptable to each particpant Cons -Time consuming -Cannot be anonomous -Expensive -Research bias -Can be difficult to standarize
79
Methods to Increase response rates of surveys
1.) Pre-notification 2.) Personalize it (handwritten) 3.) Incentives 4.) Use green paper 5.) Include a cover letter
80
Causal Vs. Correlation Relationships
Just because variables correlate does not mean that they are casual -Casual relationships are where one variable causes another variable to change -Correlation relationships where changes in variables are linked together.