Chapter 9: Descriptive Research

Front 1

experimental research focuses on the past, where as descriptive research focuses on....

Back 1

the present situation

Front 2

how is descriptive research conducted?

Back 2

1. collecting information

2. based on collected information, describing the situation.

* can include hypothesis, but does not have to.

Front 3

List the types of descriptive research.

Back 3

1. Survey

2. Developmental

3. Case Study

4. Correlational

5. Normative

6. Observational

7. Causal-Comparative

Front 4

define longitudinal approach.

Back 4

method by which a group is measured and observed for years.

Front 5

what is survey research?

Back 5

determines the views or practices of a group through interviews or by administering a questionnaire.

Front 6

what is developmental research?

Back 6

usually deals with the growth and development of humans overtime.

Front 7

what are the two approaches to developmental research?

Back 7

1. Longitudinal approach

2. Cross-sectional approach

Front 8

define cross-sectional approach

Back 8

method for testing many groups and assuming each group is representative of all other groups when they are at the point in time.

Front 9

what is case study research

Back 9

typically involves studying a person or event in great detail and describing what is found.

Front 10

define correlational study

Back 10

purpose is determine if a relationship exists between variables. (each participant must be measured on both variables).

Usually the variables are not ones that the researcher tries to manipulate.

Front 11

what is the regressions approach when talking about a correlational study?

Back 11

study conducted to try to explain why participants differ on a variable.

Front 12

What is normative research?

Back 12

the purpose of normative research is to develop performance standards.

Front 13

what are the two types of references for standards?

Back 13

1. Norm referenced

2. criterion-referenced

Front 14

norm-referenced standards

Back 14

standards to rank-order individuals from best to worst.

Front 15

percentile ranks

Back 15

a descriptive value that indicates the percentage of participants below a designated score; used in norm-referenced standards.

Front 16

criterion-referenced standards

Back 16

minimum proficiency for pass-fail standards.

Front 17

define observational research

Back 17

research where data are observations of people or programs. Can be very time consuming.

Front 18

define action research

Back 18

conducted in the natural setting where it will be applied. Lacks some control. Always conducted to try to find an answer to a problem that exists in the natural setting.

Front 19

define causal-comparative research

Back 19

research seeks to investigate cause-and-effect relationships that explain differences that already exist in groups or individuals; also called ex post facto research. "After the fact"

Front 20

What is the most common type of research performed in kinesiology?

Back 20

survey research

Front 21

what does survey research provide?

Back 21

a basis for making comparisons and determining trends, reveals current weaknesses and/or strengths in given situation, and provides information for decision making.

Front 22

define the limitations of survey research

Back 22

1. at best reveals what is, not what is best.

2. do not reveal what factors cause certain behaviors or attitudes

3. limited by the sample used and the information obtained

4. information may be inaccurate or misinterpreted.

Front 23

Preliminary considerations in planning a survey

Back 23

1. is the survey method the best way to investigate the research problem

2. What type of survey method to use

Front 24

what type of survey research is becoming more prevalent in kinesiology?

Back 24

personal interviews

Front 25

list the types of survey methods/

Back 25

1. Phone interview

2. Personal interview

3. Administered questionnaire

4. Distributed questionnaire

Front 26

personal interview

Back 26

the research meets with each member of the sample and based on the conversation the needed information is obtained. Feasable technique if sample is small an accessible

Front 27

list the types of personal interview techniques

Back 27

1. Structured interview

2. Semistructured interview

3. Unstructured interview

Front 28

structured interview

Back 28

interview for which each participant is asked the same specific questions.

Front 29

semistructured interview

Back 29

interview for which each participant is asked the same general questions

Front 30

unstructured interview

Back 30

interview for which no questions have been prepared for a participant; a conversation

Front 31

what are the advantages of the personal interview technique?

Back 31

1. completeness of response

2. ability to clear up misconceptions

3. opportunity for follow-up

4. increased likelihood that the respondent will be more conscientious with the interviewer present

Front 32

when are phone interviews most commonly used?

Back 32

1. Marketing

2. product and sales

Front 33

what are the advantages of phone interviews

Back 33

1. quick and inexpensive

2. useful for when sample is spread over large geographical area

Front 34

what are the disadvantages of phone interview

Back 34

does not allow for very many questions to be asked, and recording the answers may be difficult.

Front 35

What is a questionnaire?

Back 35

a series of questions or statements on paper.

Front 36

administered questionnaire

Back 36

the researcher meets with each participant or with several groups to administer a questionnaire.

Front 37

distributed questioannaire

Back 37

used when a sample is geographically spread or cannot be brought together as group.

Front 38

good questionnaire research requires what?

Back 38

1. considerable planning

2. good technique

Front 39

open-ended item

Back 39

question for which no potential response is provided; participants respond however they choose

Front 40

completion item

Back 40

question for which answer is left blank and participant fills in the blank

Front 41

multiple choice item

Back 41

question for which responses are provided and the participant selects the most appropriate response(s).

Front 42

How should each question be written in a questionnaire?

Back 42

1. it should not be ambiguous

2. reading level should be considered

3. attention span should be considered

4. directions should be provided

Front 43

what should be determined before a questionnaire is used in a research study?

Back 43

reliability and validity

Front 44

define validity

Back 44

the degree to which the interpretations of the questionnaire date are correct

Front 45

define reliability

Back 45

the consistency of response

Front 46

what else should be determined before a questionnaire is used to collect data?

Back 46

the goodness of the questionnaire

Front 47

how is the goodness of a questionnaire determined?

Back 47

a pilot study

Front 48

what contributes to good appearance of a questionnaire?

Back 48

1. looks professional

2. quality of paper

3. items should be arranged in rows or columns

4. ease of completion

5. demographic info should be placed at the end (this information can irritate people)

6. closed-ended items numerically coded

7. clear directions and examples

Front 49

what are the biggest concerns with questionnaire distribution?

Back 49

1. cost

2. obtaining a high rate of questionnaire return

Front 50

what are some factors that can help with cost of mail outs?

Back 50

1. use both sides of the paper

2. use smallest readable font size

3. keep it short

4. weight of paper

Front 51

what can influence return of questionnaire?

Back 51

1. provided self-addressed stamped envelope

Front 52

what is an essential component of distributing a questionnaire?

Back 52

a good mailing list.

Front 53

What is the expected rate of return for questionnaires

Back 53

50%

Front 54

why is a small rate of return bad?

Back 54

could make the goodness of the results questionable.

Front 55

what are some ways to motivate someone to return a questionnaire?

Back 55

1. cover letter explaining study

2. cover letter signed by influential person

Front 56

when should questionnaires be distributed?

Back 56

at a time when individuals will have time to fill it out (avoid time like holiday season).

Front 57

should names be asked for on a questionnaire?

Back 57

generally it is better not to ask for names, because law enforcement has been know to confiscate questionnaires dealing with illegal activities.

Front 58

what is one way to test the accuracy of participant responses?

Back 58

can be checked by stating some items positively and some items negatively.