Quantitative Research Design: A Comprehensive Guide for Graduate Students

Question 1

In selecting a quantitative research design, the primary consideration is:

Accepted Answer

The research question and hypotheses

Answer

The researcher's budget

Answer

The availability of research participants

Answer

The researcher's personal preferences

Question 2

In a quasi-experimental research design, which of the following is a defining characteristic?

Accepted Answer

Lack of control over independent variables

Answer

Random assignment of participants

Answer

Use of a pre-test and post-test design

Answer

Generalizability of findings to the population

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a type of quantitative research design?

Accepted Answer

Mixed-methods design

Answer

Experimental design

Answer

Non-experimental design

Answer

Quasi-experimental design

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

To ensure the sample accurately represents the target population

Answer

To eliminate bias in data collection

Answer

To reduce sampling error

Answer

To increase the generalizability of the research findings

Question 5

What is the key difference between experimental and quasi-experimental research designs?

Accepted Answer

The researcher controls the independent variable in experimental design, but not in quasi-experimental design

Answer

The researcher can generalize the findings to the target population in experimental design, but not in quasi-experimental design

Answer

Experimental design is more expensive than quasi-experimental design

Answer

Quasi-experimental design is more time-consuming than experimental design

Question 6

What is the purpose of a pilot study in quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

To test the feasibility and effectiveness of the research design and instruments

Answer

To ensure the confidentiality of participants

Answer

To collect preliminary data for the main study

Answer

To generalize the research findings to the target population

Question 7

Which of the following is a type of data collection method commonly used in quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

Likert scale

Answer

Open-ended questionnaire

Answer

In-depth interview

Answer

Focus group

Question 8

What is the role of a hypothesis in quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

To predict the relationship between variables and guide data analysis

Answer

To explain the research question and provide a framework for the study

Answer

To summarize the findings of the study and draw conclusions

Answer

To generate new research questions and areas for further investigation

Question 9

What is the primary purpose of exploratory factor analysis?

Accepted Answer

To identify underlying factors or dimensions within a group of variables

Answer

To test hypotheses about the relationship between variables

Answer

To predict the future behavior of participants

Answer

To generalize research findings to a broader population

Question 10

Which of the following is not a type of quantitative research design?

Accepted Answer

Qualitative design

Answer

Experimental design

Answer

Non-experimental design

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

Subjective interpretation

Answer

Statistical analysis

Answer

Generalizable findings

Answer

Objective data

Question 12

In an experimental design, the researcher:

Accepted Answer

Manipulates an independent variable to observe effects on a dependent variable.

Answer

Observes a phenomenon without manipulating variables.

Answer

Compares groups with different characteristics on a single variable.

Question 13

Which sampling technique is most likely to produce a representative sample?

Accepted Answer

Random sampling

Answer

Snowball sampling

Answer

Quota sampling

Answer

Convenience sampling

Question 14

What is the primary purpose of hypothesis testing?

Accepted Answer

To determine the statistical significance of differences between groups.

Answer

To generate new theories

Answer

To collect data

Question 15

Which of the following is a potential limitation of quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

Limited ability to generalize findings to other populations

Answer

Statistical significance

Answer

Objectivity

Answer

External validity

Question 16

What are important factors to consider when selecting a research design?

Accepted Answer

Population size, research question, and type of data

Answer

Research question

Answer

Type of data

Question 17

What is the role of a research proposal in quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

To outline the research plan, justify the methodology, and secure funding.

Answer

To present the findings of the research

Answer

To recruit participants for the study

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a well-designed quantitative research study?

Accepted Answer

Reliance on subjective data

Answer

Objectivity

Answer

Precision of measurement

Answer

Reliability

Question 19

Which type of research design is most appropriate for testing a causal relationship between two variables?

Accepted Answer

Experimental design

Answer

Mixed-methods design

Answer

Quasi-experimental design

Answer

Non-experimental design

Question 20

Which sampling technique involves selecting every nth subject from a population?

Accepted Answer

Systematic sampling

Answer

Cluster sampling

Answer

Stratified sampling

Answer

Simple random sampling

Question 21

Which type of validity assesses the extent to which a research instrument measures what it claims to measure?

Accepted Answer

Construct validity

Answer

External validity

Answer

Concurrent validity

Answer

Internal validity

Question 22

Which type of quantitative data is measured on a numerical scale?

Accepted Answer

Numerical data

Answer

Ordinal data

Answer

Nominal data

Answer

Categorical data

Question 23

Which statistical test is used to compare the means of two independent groups with different sample sizes?

Accepted Answer

Welch's t-test

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

F-test

Answer

ANOVA

Question 24

Which type of research design includes a comparison group that serves as a baseline for measuring the effects of an experimental treatment?

Accepted Answer

Control group design

Answer

Posttest-only design

Answer

Pretest-posttest design

Answer

Solomon four-group design

Question 25

Which of the following is a potential limitation of quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

Difficulty in capturing subjective experiences

Answer

Emphasis on objectivity

Answer

High level of rigor

Answer

Wide generalizability

Question 26

Which research design allows researchers to examine relationships between variables without manipulating them?

Accepted Answer

Correlational design

Answer

Experimental design

Answer

Mixed-methods design

Answer

Quasi-experimental design

Question 27

What is the primary purpose of random assignment in an experiment?

Accepted Answer

To ensure the equivalence of groups across relevant characteristics.

Answer

To increase the sample size.

Answer

To reduce the likelihood of bias.

Question 28

Which type of sampling technique involves selecting every nth subject from a list?

Accepted Answer

Systematic sampling

Answer

Cluster sampling

Answer

Stratified sampling

Answer

Random sampling

Question 29

What is the key difference between the pre-test/post-test control group design and the post-test-only control group design?

Accepted Answer

In the pre-test/post-test design, participants are measured before and after the intervention, whereas in the post-test-only design, they are only measured afterward.

Answer

In the pre-test/post-test design, the control group receives the intervention, while in the post-test-only design, they do not.

Question 30

What is the purpose of a pilot study?

Accepted Answer

To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a research design.

Answer

To generalize the results of the main study to a wider population.

Answer

To collect data for the main study.

Question 31

Which of the following is an advantage of quantitative research methods?

Accepted Answer

They facilitate precise quantification of variables.

Answer

They are effortless to conduct.

Answer

They provide in-depth information about participants.

Question 32

What is the distinction between an independent variable and a dependent variable?

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is manipulated, while the dependent variable is observed.

Answer

The independent variable is observed, while the dependent variable is manipulated.

Question 33

What is the purpose of a research hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

To make a prediction about the outcome of a study.

Answer

To explain the results of a study.

Answer

To summarize the results of a study.

Answer

To generalize the findings of a study to a larger population.

Question 34

Which of the following is NOT a type of quasi-experimental design?

Accepted Answer

Factorial design

Answer

Time series design

Answer

Matched pairs design

Answer

Non-equivalent control group design

Question 35

What is the main advantage of using a non-experimental design?

Accepted Answer

They are more practical and economical than experimental designs.

Answer

They provide greater control over variables.

Answer

They allow for causal inference.

Question 36

In experimental research, what is the essential element for establishing a causal relationship between variables?

Accepted Answer

Random assignment to experimental and control groups

Answer

Matching participants on relevant characteristics

Answer

Observing the occurrence of a naturally occurring event

Question 37

Quasi-experimental designs are characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Comparing existing groups that have not been randomly assigned

Answer

Using a systematic review of existing literature

Answer

Observing and describing a phenomenon without manipulating variables

Answer

Manipulating one or more independent variables

Question 38

Which consideration is irrelevant when selecting a sampling technique?

Accepted Answer

Researcher's personal preferences

Answer

Desired level of precision

Answer

Availability of a sampling frame

Answer

Population size

Question 39

Which type of question is best suited for eliciting detailed, qualitative responses in a survey?

Accepted Answer

Open-ended question

Answer

Semantic differential question

Answer

Multiple-choice question

Answer

Likert scale question

Question 40

In a correlational study, a strong positive correlation indicates that:

Accepted Answer

As the value of one variable increases, the value of the other variable tends to increase

Answer

There is no significant relationship between the two variables

Answer

As the value of one variable increases, the value of the other variable tends to decrease

Question 41

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

Accepted Answer

t-test

Answer

ANOVA

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

Regression analysis

Question 42

The primary purpose of a pilot study in quantitative research is:

Accepted Answer

To assess the feasibility and refine the design of a larger study

Answer

To generalize findings to a wider population

Answer

To collect data for the main study

Question 43

A key ethical consideration in quantitative research is:

Accepted Answer

Obtaining informed consent from participants

Answer

Ensuring accurate reporting of results

Answer

Using random sampling to enhance representativeness

Answer

Conducting the study within a specific timeframe

Question 44

A potential advantage of using qualitative research methods over quantitative research methods is:

Accepted Answer

Enhanced understanding of complex phenomena

Answer

Generalizability of findings to a wider population

Answer

Objectivity in data collection

Question 45

**Revised Question:** Which research design randomly assigns participants to either a treatment group or a control group?

Accepted Answer

Experimental design

Answer

Non-experimental design

Answer

Quasi-experimental design

Question 46

**Revised Question:** Which sampling technique involves selecting participants randomly from a population **without** replacement?

Accepted Answer

Simple random sampling

Answer

Snowball sampling

Answer

Quota sampling

Answer

Convenience sampling

Question 47

**Revised Question:** What is the primary purpose of using a control group in an experimental design?

Accepted Answer

To provide a baseline for comparison, control for extraneous variables, and determine the effectiveness of the treatment.

Answer

To increase the sample size and enhance the study's generalizability.

Answer

To ensure that the participants are representative of the target population.

Question 48

**Revised Question:** Which of the following is **NOT** a potential threat to internal validity in an experimental design?

Accepted Answer

Instrumentation reliability

Answer

Participant attrition

Answer

Experimenter bias

Answer

History effects

Question 49

**Revised Question:** Which measure of central tendency **minimizes** the influence of extreme values in a data set?

Accepted Answer

Median

Answer

Mean

Answer

Range

Answer

Mode

Question 50

**Revised Question:** What is the primary objective of conducting a reliability test?

Accepted Answer

To assess the consistency and stability of a measurement tool or instrument.

Answer

To calculate the standard error of measurement.

Answer

To establish the validity of a measurement tool or instrument.

Question 51

**Revised Question:** Which research design involves observing and recording data from participants in their natural environment without any intervention?

Accepted Answer

Observational study

Answer

Experimental design

Answer

Quasi-experimental design

Question 52

**Revised Question:** What is the fundamental distinction between a quasi-experimental design and an experimental design?

Accepted Answer

Participants in a quasi-experimental design are not randomly assigned to groups.

Answer

Quasi-experimental designs are generally less expensive to conduct.

Answer

Quasi-experimental designs have a lower level of internal validity.

Question 53

**Revised Question:** Which research design collects data from the same participants multiple times over an extended period to examine changes or development?

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal design

Answer

Experimental design

Answer

Cross-sectional design

Question 54

**Revised Question:** What is the primary function of a hypothesis in quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

To provide a testable prediction about the relationship between variables and guide the data analysis.

Answer

To summarize the results of the study.

Answer

To establish the significance level of the study's findings.