Research Methods for Communication Sciences Test Questions with Detailed Answers Latest Update (Already Passed)

Research Methods for Communication Sciences Test Questions with Detailed Answers Latest Update (Already Passed) Key functions of concepts - Answers - Communication - Perspective - Classification and Generalization - Component of Theory Conceptual Definitions - Answers Describe concepts using other concepts Concepts are abstract and don't exist in the real world -> Bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and observable phenomena Operational Definitions - Answers Describe a set of procedures a researcher can follow to establish the existence of the phenomena described by a concept Quantitative research - Answers abstracting information to generalize findings beyond specific instances -> Understanding the subjective meanings and explore in-depth perspectives Qualitative research - Answers Works with numerical data aiming for objective patterns Research problem - Answers Question or issue that requires a response in the form of a structured scientific inquiry Units of analysis - Answers what will be studied and what must be defined -> focal point of research Dependent variable (Y) - Answers The variable the researcher is trying to explain Independent variable (X) - Answers The variable that causes a change in the dependent variable Control variable - Answers The variable used to test the possibility that the relation between the dependent and independent variables is spurious Continuous variable - Answers Can take away any value within a given range and can be measured with great precision (e.g., 10 inches or 10,5 inches) Discrete variable - Answers Can only take distinct, separate values and often represents counts or categories (e.g. no values like 3.5 children) Relation - Answers Positive or Negative a connection between two or more variables If relation between X and Y = covariation Covariation - Answers X and Y change together in a systematic manner: when one variable changes, the other variable also changes in a predictable way Magnitude - Answers Perfect relation: changes in Y are precisely determined by changes in X Zero relation: no systematic connection Hypotheses - Answers Hypotheses must be clear (conceptually & operationally) Hypotheses are specific (expected relations among variables) Hypotheses are testable with available methods Scientific hypotheses are value-free H0, H1 - Answers H0 = there is no significant difference or relationship between the variables being studied H1 = there is a significant difference or relationship between the variables being studied. Classical experimental research design - Answers Experimental group exposed to the independent variable (treatment) Control group (not exposed) Pretest and Posttest -> if the difference from pretest and posttest is significantly larger in the experimental group there is a causal relationship between the independent and dependent variables Causal inferences - Answers You know two variables covary, but one thing doesn't necessarily cause the other Need to demonstrate: (The Logical Model of Proof) - Covariation (variables vary together) - Elimination of spurious relations (relationship between original variables is still there even when controlling for all relevant factors) - Establish time order (assumed cause occurs before the assumed effect) Comparison - Answers The operation that determines whether two variables covary (are correlated) Manipulation - Answers The operation that controls the assignment to the treatment group, so that the researcher can determine the time sequence to make sure the independent variable changes before the dependent variable changes -> easier in experimental settings, but not so much in natural settings Control (internal validity) - Answers The operation that enables the researcher to rule out rival explanations for the change in the dependent variable. Investigators must control extrinsic, or selection, factors and intrinsic factors such as history and maturation. Internal validity = study needs to measure what it intends to measure the degree to which the observed effects can be confidently attributed to the manipulated variable (independent variable X) rather than other factors Generalization - Answers The extent to which the research findings can be generalized to larger populations and applied to different settings External validity - Answers To what extent can the research findings be applied to larger populations and different settings