Exam 4: Research Design
Why is the time element important in research designs? Describe designs that make different use of the time element.Give examples of research studies employing the different designs.
The time element is important in research designs because it allows researchers to understand the temporal relationships between variables and to make causal inferences. By incorporating the time element into research designs, researchers can examine how variables change over time, identify trends and patterns, and assess the impact of interventions or treatments.
There are several research designs that make different use of the time element, including cross-sectional, longitudinal, and time-series designs.
1. Cross-sectional designs: These designs involve collecting data at a single point in time. They are useful for providing a snapshot of a population or phenomenon at a specific moment. For example, a study examining the relationship between income and health outcomes in a specific community at a particular point in time would use a cross-sectional design.
2. Longitudinal designs: These designs involve collecting data from the same sample over an extended period of time. This allows researchers to track changes and developments within the sample and to assess the long-term effects of variables. An example of a longitudinal study is the Framingham Heart Study, which has been following participants over several decades to understand the risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
3. Time-series designs: These designs involve collecting data at multiple time points both before and after an intervention or event. This allows researchers to assess the impact of the intervention and to identify any trends or patterns over time. For example, a study examining the effectiveness of a new teaching method in improving student performance would use a time-series design to track academic achievement before and after the implementation of the new method.
In conclusion, the time element is crucial in research designs as it allows for a deeper understanding of temporal relationships and the effects of variables over time. Different designs, such as cross-sectional, longitudinal, and time-series, offer unique insights into the dynamics of phenomena and can be applied to various research studies across different fields.
Once you have a well-defined purpose for your study and a clear description of the kinds of outcomes you want to achieve,the next step in your research design is
C
Mr.Smith found that males and females were equally likely to support his political platform.Smith correctly concludes that there is a correlation between gender and support for his platform.
False
Professor Stone designs a study to examine the effect of a teenage pregnancy on young women's career choices.Stone wants to interview a sample of teenage women during their pregnancy,after the baby's birth,and once a year after that for a ten year period.Stone is using a
Descriptive research answers the question "What's so?" and explanatory research answers the question "Why?"
Ricardo studied married couples in order to see if length of marriage affected the nature and quality of communication patterns.Which unit of analysis did he use?
Research studies that follow the same people at different times,collecting data at specified intervals,are what kind of study?
Causality can be established by only proving correlation and nonspuriousness
A researcher focuses on the ________when faced with the question "From whom or what will the information be gathered?"
Research designs are descriptive,explanatory,or exploratory-never more than one.
The nomothetic model of explanation is probabilistic in its approach to causation.
Andrew studied family conflict as portrayed in the media by reading letters to advice columns.What was his unit of analysis?
Cindy established that gender came before voting in her study of adults in her city,so the time order was clear.She also ruled out the effects of age,religiosity,and other "third" variables.Which criterion for causality remains for her to establish?
Criminologists often examine the relationship between supervision and delinquency.When they do so,they might examine Table A or Table B.
Table A illustrates a ________ condition; and Table B illustrates a _______ condition.
Committing the error of reductionism is most closely tied to the selection of a(n)
Which of the following employs the nomothetic model of explanation?
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