Test 1 Flashcards

Question

Types of Surveys (CATI) Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing

Answer 1

Increases efficiency, reduces errors, and allows for standardized questioning.

Answer 2

Improves accuracy and allows for real time data collection while maintaining personal interaction

Answer 3

Helps predict election results before official counts and analyzes voter behavior

Answer 4

Cost-effective, allows for large scale data collection and provides convivence for responders.

Answer 5

Errors that arise due to the fact a sample is being used instead of the entire population.

Answer 6

Errors that occur during the data collection of analysis process, unrelated to sampling method.

Answer 7

Occurs when there is a problem with how questions are asked, how data is recorded, or how the respondent understands the question.

Answer 8

When some individuals in the sample do not respond. This can lead to bias results if the non-respondents differ in important ways from respondents.

Answer 9

Ensures that each subgroup is represented proportionally, especially when there are significant differences between strata.

Answer 10

Useful for ensuring that small or underrepresented groups have adequate representation, thought it may require weighting the results to correct the disproportionately.

Answer 11

The degree to which an experiment or study accurately measures the causal relationship between variables, free from the influence of external or confounding factors. Example: In a study on voter turnout, internal validity would refer to whether the observed changes in turnout are truly caused by the intervention (e.g., a new voting law) rather than other factors (e.g., socioeconomic status).

Answer 12

The extent to which the results of a study can be generalized to other settings, populations, or times. Example: A study on voting behavior conducted in a particular state should have external validity if its findings apply to other states or national elections.

Answer 13

The extent to which a test or survey measures the concept or theory it is intended to measure. Example: If a survey aims to measure political engagement, its construct validity would depend on whether the questions truly capture the concept of engagement (e.g., voting, attending political events, etc.) rather than irrelevant behaviors.

Answer 14

The degree to which a measure fully represents the concept it's intended to assess. This usually involves experts evaluating whether the questions or items in a test comprehensively cover the entire domain of the concept. Example: A political science exam should have content validity if it covers all major topics (e.g., theories of democracy, elections, policy analysis) rather than focusing too much on one narrow area.

Answer 15

The extent to which a measure is correlated with a relevant outcome or criterion that it should theoretically predict. Criterion-related validity can be further divided into. Example: A job performance test in political campaigns may have predictive validity if it can successfully predict the future performance of campaign staff.

Answer 16

Inconsistency, Measurement Error, Observer or Rater Bias, Time Variability, Contextual Factors

Answer 17

Empirical, normative, and prescriptive statements interrelate by forming a logical progression in research and analysis. First, empirical statements provide the factual basis of what is happening in the world. Then, normative statements offer a value-based interpretation of those facts, suggesting what should happen or what is ideal. Finally, prescriptive statements provide actionable steps or solutions based on the normative goals, guiding what should be done to improve or change the situation described in the empirical findings. Essentially, empirical data informs normative views, which in turn lead to prescriptive actions.

Answer 18

Before testing a hypothesis, it's important to evaluate its clarity, feasibility, relevance, and theoretical grounding. First, ensure the hypothesis is clear and specific, stating the expected relationship between the variables in precise terms, as vague hypotheses can lead to confusion. Next, check for testability—ensure the hypothesis can be empirically tested through observation or experimentation, using available methods and data. The hypothesis should also be relevant to the central research question, aligning with the study's objectives. Additionally, it must be grounded in existing theory or prior research to explain why the relationship between variables is expected, guiding how results are interpreted. Finally, ensure the operational definitions of the variables are clear and measurable, and that the research is feasible in terms of data availability, resources, and time. Evaluating these aspects will help determine if the hypothesis is ready for testing.

Answer 19

Likert scales are useful because they allow researchers to capture varying levels of sentiment on a topic, enabling more nuanced insights into respondents' attitudes. They are widely used in social sciences, marketing research, and political studies. The results can be analyzed to quantify opinions or measure the intensity of agreement/disagreement on various issues.

Answer 20

The way questions are worded (phraseology) can significantly affect responses. Ambiguous, complex, or leading questions can confuse respondents or influence their answers. It's important to use clear, concise, and neutral language that does not sway the respondent in any particular direction. For example, a question like "Don't you agree that global warming is a serious issue?" is leading and can bias responses. Instead, rephrase it as "Do you think global warming is a serious issue?"

Answer 21

The order in which questions are presented can also affect the responses, a phenomenon known as order bias. Respondents may be influenced by the questions asked earlier, leading them to answer subsequent questions in a particular way. For example, asking about political views before asking about specific policies might prime respondents' opinions on those policies. Randomizing question order or grouping related questions can help reduce this bias.

Answer 22

Filter questions are used to determine whether a respondent should answer a particular set of questions based on their previous answers. Poorly designed filter questions can confuse respondents or lead to inaccurate data. For example, asking someone who does not drink alcohol about their preferences for different types of alcohol may not be relevant, but without a proper filter, this question could be included unnecessarily.

Answer 23

Open-ended questions allow respondents to answer freely, providing more in-depth information and capturing nuanced responses. However, they can be difficult to analyze quantitatively and may be time-consuming for both the respondent and the researcher. For example, "What do you think is the most important issue facing society today?" allows for a wide range of responses. Close-ended questions offer predefined answer options (e.g., yes/no, multiple-choice, Likert scales) and are easier to analyze statistically. However, they may limit the richness of responses. For example, "Do you think social media is harmful? (Yes/No)" restricts the respondent to a binary choice.

Answer 24

Non-response refers to situations where respondents fail to answer certain questions or the entire survey. Non-responses can be problematic because they may lead to bias if certain groups of people are more likely to skip questions. This can result in incomplete data and skewed results. To address this, it's important to ensure that questions are engaging and relevant, and to consider offering incentives or reminders to encourage full participation.

Answer 25

refers to the entire group of individuals, items, or observations that a researcher is interested in studying or drawing conclusions about. This group is typically defined by specific characteristics relevant to the research question.

Answer 26

Event data refers to information collected based on specific occurrences or events. This type of data focuses on recording or tracking occurrences, often used in studies of patterns, trends, or outcomes tied to particular events. For example, tracking voter turnout on election day or the impact of a specific policy change.

Answer 27

Textual data involves data collected in the form of written words. This can include responses from open-ended survey questions, social media posts, or documents. Textual data is often analyzed through techniques like content analysis, sentiment analysis, or natural language processing to identify patterns, themes, or meanings.

Answer 28

Placebos: In experimental research, a placebo is a substance or condition that has no therapeutic effect, used as a control to test the effectiveness of a treatment. For example, in drug trials, one group may receive the actual drug, while another receives a placebo, allowing researchers to assess the drug's effectiveness. Paired Testing: Paired testing involves comparing two related conditions or groups that have been matched or paired in some way. For instance, comparing the performance of the same group of participants before and after an intervention, allowing researchers to observe the impact of that intervention.

Answer 29

Non-obtrusive measures refer to methods of data collection that do not interfere with or alter the behavior of the subjects being studied. These methods are often used in natural settings where researchers aim to observe subjects without affecting their actions. Examples include observing consumer behavior in a store or analyzing social media data without interacting with users.

Answer 30

Focus groups involve a small, diverse group of participants who are interviewed together, often guided by a facilitator, to discuss a specific topic. This qualitative method allows for in-depth discussion and exploration of ideas, opinions, and perceptions. Focus groups are useful for understanding attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions in detail.

Answer 31

Multi-Mode: Multi-mode refers to the use of different methods or channels for data collection within the same study. For example, combining surveys with interviews or online questionnaires with in-person focus groups to gather a range of perspectives and data. Triangulation: Triangulation is a method used to increase the credibility and validity of research findings by using multiple data sources, methods, or theories. This approach helps to confirm or cross-check results from different angles, reducing the likelihood of bias or error.

Answer 32

Test how different question formulations or conditions affect survey responses by providing different versions to different groups. They help identify which phrasing or format yields more reliable results.

Answer 33

are trial runs of surveys or experiments conducted with a small group to identify issues like unclear questions, technical problems, or timing concerns before the main study.

Test 1 Flashcards

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