Research Methods Quiz

What is the process of selecting units (e.g., people, organizations) from a population of interest called?

• Sampling

• Surveying

• Experimenting

• Observing

Why do researchers study a sample from a population of interest?

• To generalize the results back to the population

• To focus only on the sample

• To avoid generalization

• To ignore the population

What is external validity related to?

• Specificity

• Generalizing

• Internal consistency

• Reliability

What does "validity" refer to in the context of research?

• The accuracy of data collection methods

• The approximate truth of propositions, inferences, or conclusions

• The reliability of measurement tools

• The ethical considerations in research

What is external validity?

• The degree to which the conclusions in your study would hold for other persons, places, and times.

• The degree to which the conclusions in your study are internally consistent.

• The degree to which the conclusions in your study are statistically significant.

• The degree to which the conclusions in your study are ethically sound.

What is the first step in the process depicted in the diagram?

• Generalize back

• Draw sample

• Analyze data

• Collect data

What is the second step in the process depicted in the diagram?

• Generalize back

• Draw sample

• Analyze data

• Collect data

What is the purpose of generalizing back in the process depicted in the diagram?

• To ensure the sample is representative

• To apply findings from the sample to the population

• To collect more data

• To analyze the sample

What is a threat to external validity?

• An explanation of how you might be wrong in making a generalization.

• An explanation of how you might be right in making a generalization.

• An explanation of how you might be wrong in making a specific conclusion.

• An explanation of how you might be right in making a specific conclusion.

Which of the following is an example of a threat to external validity?

• Concluding that the results of a study done in a specific place, with certain types of people, and at a specific time can be generalized to another context.

• Concluding that the results of a study done in a specific place, with certain types of people, and at a specific time cannot be generalized to another context.

• Concluding that the results of a study done in a general place, with all types of people, and at any time can be generalized to another context.

• Concluding that the results of a study done in a general place, with all types of people, and at any time cannot be generalized to another context.