Quantitative Research Methods: Types, Characteristics, Strengths, and Limitations

Question 1

What is the purpose of a power analysis?

Accepted Answer

To determine the minimum sample size needed to achieve statistical significance.

Answer

To calculate the statistical significance of a difference between two groups.

Answer

To identify the best statistical test to use for a particular research question.

Answer

To predict the outcome of a study.

Question 2

What is the most important factor to consider when choosing a research design?

Accepted Answer

The nature of the research question

Answer

The availability of resources

Answer

The researcher's personal preferences

Answer

The expected impact of the study

Question 3

Which characteristic distinguishes quantitative research from other research methods?

Accepted Answer

Reliance on objective, numerical data

Answer

Focus on subjective experiences and interpretations

Answer

Use of qualitative data analysis techniques

Answer

Limited scope of inquiry

Question 4

What is the primary purpose of random sampling in quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

To ensure a representative sample and reduce bias

Answer

To increase the validity of the results

Answer

To minimize data collection time

Answer

To facilitate data analysis

Question 5

Which statistical test is most appropriate for comparing the means of two independent groups?

Accepted Answer

t-test

Answer

ANOVA

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

Pearson correlation coefficient

Question 6

What is the main objective of quantitative data analysis?

Accepted Answer

To identify patterns and relationships in the data

Answer

To interpret the findings of statistical tests

Answer

To develop theoretical explanations

Answer

To make recommendations for practice

Question 7

How do descriptive and inferential statistics differ in their purpose?

Accepted Answer

Descriptive statistics summarize data, while inferential statistics make predictions

Answer

Descriptive statistics are qualitative, while inferential statistics are quantitative

Answer

Descriptive statistics test hypotheses, while inferential statistics describe populations

Answer

There is no difference between descriptive and inferential statistics

Question 8

Which attribute is NOT a characteristic of quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

Subjectivity

Answer

Objectivity

Answer

Generalizability

Answer

Replication

Question 9

Quantitative research gathers data that is:

Accepted Answer

Objective and numerical

Answer

Subjective and experiential

Answer

Qualitative and descriptive

Answer

Interpretive and meaning-based

Question 10

The main purpose of a quantitative research study is to:

Accepted Answer

Test hypotheses and generalize findings

Answer

Explore complex phenomena in-depth

Answer

Develop new theoretical frameworks

Answer

Evaluate the effectiveness of educational interventions

Question 11

Which of the following is a common quantitative research design?

Accepted Answer

Experimental with control and experimental groups

Answer

Case study with detailed analysis of a single case

Answer

Narrative with storytelling and personal accounts

Answer

Phenomenological with exploration of lived experiences

Question 12

In quantitative research, sampling aims to:

Accepted Answer

Select a representative subset of the population

Answer

Collect data from every member of the population

Answer

Gather qualitative data from research participants

Answer

Develop research hypotheses and questions

Question 13

Which statistical test is used to compare means between two independent groups?

Accepted Answer

T-test

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

ANOVA

Answer

Regression analysis

Question 14

Which software program is widely used for quantitative data analysis?

Accepted Answer

SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences)

Answer

NVivo (qualitative data analysis software)

Answer

Atlas.ti (qualitative data analysis software)

Answer

AutoCad (computer-aided design software)

Question 15

Explain how theory exerts its influence on the design and interpretation of quantitative research studies?

Accepted Answer

Theory plays a direct role in designing research questions.

Accepted Answer

Theory guides the choice of statistical techniques employed in data analysis.

Answer

During data collection, theory is the primary determinant of data collection methods.

Answer

Drawing conclusions from the research findings is largely independent of theory.

Question 16

What is the primary purpose of inferential statistics in quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

To make generalizations about a population based on a sample.

Answer

To summarize and describe the characteristics of a population.

Answer

To establish causal relationships between variables.

Answer

To predict future events.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a potential limitation of quantitative research methods?

Accepted Answer

Provides precise and objective data that is easily analyzed.

Answer

Can be time-consuming and expensive to conduct.

Answer

May struggle to capture the complexity of human experiences.

Answer

Often requires large sample sizes for generalizable findings.

Question 18

Identify the primary ethical concerns that may arise when recruiting participants and gathering data in quantitative research studies.

Accepted Answer

Privacy, informed consent, and data security

Answer

Data analysis techniques and statistical methods

Answer

Theoretical frameworks and research methodology

Question 19

To avoid misinterpreting quantitative research findings, researchers should consider:

Accepted Answer

Effect size and practical significance

Answer

Statistical significance only

Answer

Sample size only

Answer

Research hypothesis only

Question 20

Which characteristic is NOT associated with quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

Subjective

Answer

Hypotheses-driven

Answer

Objective

Answer

Structured

Question 21

Which research design is most suitable for determining a causal relationship between variables?

Accepted Answer

Experimental research

Answer

Qualitative research

Answer

Descriptive research

Answer

Correlational research

Question 22

What is the primary purpose of random sampling in quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

To ensure the sample accurately represents the larger population.

Answer

To increase the sample size

Answer

To reduce bias

Question 23

Which statistical test is used to determine the significance of differences between means?

Accepted Answer

t-test

Answer

Regression analysis

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

ANOVA

Question 24

What is the ultimate goal of data analysis in quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

To make inferences and draw conclusions from the data.

Answer

To describe the data

Answer

To reduce the amount of data

Question 25

Which of the following is a limitation of quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

May struggle to capture complex phenomena

Answer

Cost-effectiveness

Answer

Generalizability

Answer

Objectivity

Question 26

What is the primary function of a hypothesis in quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

To make a testable prediction about the study's outcome.

Answer

To interpret the results

Answer

To justify the research question

Answer

To describe the research method

Question 27

Which of the following is a qualitative research method?

Accepted Answer

Interviews

Answer

Quasi-experiment

Answer

Meta-analysis

Answer

Survey

Question 28

What is the purpose of an operational definition in quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

To clearly define a concept in measurable terms.

Answer

To justify the use of a particular research method

Answer

To predict the outcome of the study