RESEARCH METHODS EXAM 3 ACTUAL
EXAMINATION TEST 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ Survey Research
Answer: A nonexperimental research method relying on
questionnaires or interview protocols
The main goal is to measure individuals' attitudes, activities,
opinions, and beliefs
◉ 6 steps of survey research
Answer: 1. Plan and design the survey research study [e.g.,
determine what issues you want to survey, determine whether a
cross-sectional or longitudinal design will be used, identify the
target population, select the sample(s)]
2. Construct and refine the survey instrument (this will vary slightly
depending on whether you are using a questionnaire or an interview
protocol)
,3. Collect the survey data
4. Enter and "clean" (i.e., locate and eliminate errors where possible)
the data
5. Analyze the survey data
6. Interpret and report the results
◉ Panel (Prospective) Studies
Answer: Longitudinal study where data are collected from the same
individuals at successive time points
◉ Trend (Successive Independent Samples) Studies
Answer: Independent samples are taken successively from a
population over time and the same questions are asked
Tracks population-level trends rather than individual change.
◉ Survey Instrument
Answer: Data collection instrument used in survey research such as
a questionnaire or interview protocol
,◉ Questionnaire
Answer: Self-report data collection instrument filled out by research
participants
◉ Interview
Answer: Verbal self-report data are collected from interviewees by
an interviewer
◉ Face-to-face interviewing
Answer: Advantages: allow interviewer to clear up any ambiguity in
questions being asked and probe for clarification in responses,
higher completion rate, more complete respondent information
Weaknesses: most expensive*, interviewee may be uncomfortable
discussing private things, interviewer may bias the responses
◉ Telephone interviewing
Answer: Advantages = less expensive, data collective relatively
comparable to face-to-face interviews
Random-Digit Dialing = Random sampling method frequently used
with telephone interviewing where phone numbers are dialed
randomly resulting in unbiased and representative sample
, Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) = the interviewer
reads the questions from a computer screen, records the responses,
and the data are put into a computer file.
◉ Mail questionnaires
Answer: Advantages = low cost
Disadvantages = most questionnaires are never returned
Return rate 20-30%
Can increase rate with follow-up letters
◉ Group -Administered Questionnaire
Answer: Advantages = questionnaires filled out quickly and
efficiently
Weaknesses = not very viable approach since participants often
dispersed across locations
◉ Electronic Questionnaires (Web-Based)
Answer: Advantages = low cost (doesn't require postage, printing
costs, interviewer involvement, instant access to wide audience,
being, capable of having responses downloaded into
spreadsheet/statistical analysis program, flexible in layout
EXAMINATION TEST 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ Survey Research
Answer: A nonexperimental research method relying on
questionnaires or interview protocols
The main goal is to measure individuals' attitudes, activities,
opinions, and beliefs
◉ 6 steps of survey research
Answer: 1. Plan and design the survey research study [e.g.,
determine what issues you want to survey, determine whether a
cross-sectional or longitudinal design will be used, identify the
target population, select the sample(s)]
2. Construct and refine the survey instrument (this will vary slightly
depending on whether you are using a questionnaire or an interview
protocol)
,3. Collect the survey data
4. Enter and "clean" (i.e., locate and eliminate errors where possible)
the data
5. Analyze the survey data
6. Interpret and report the results
◉ Panel (Prospective) Studies
Answer: Longitudinal study where data are collected from the same
individuals at successive time points
◉ Trend (Successive Independent Samples) Studies
Answer: Independent samples are taken successively from a
population over time and the same questions are asked
Tracks population-level trends rather than individual change.
◉ Survey Instrument
Answer: Data collection instrument used in survey research such as
a questionnaire or interview protocol
,◉ Questionnaire
Answer: Self-report data collection instrument filled out by research
participants
◉ Interview
Answer: Verbal self-report data are collected from interviewees by
an interviewer
◉ Face-to-face interviewing
Answer: Advantages: allow interviewer to clear up any ambiguity in
questions being asked and probe for clarification in responses,
higher completion rate, more complete respondent information
Weaknesses: most expensive*, interviewee may be uncomfortable
discussing private things, interviewer may bias the responses
◉ Telephone interviewing
Answer: Advantages = less expensive, data collective relatively
comparable to face-to-face interviews
Random-Digit Dialing = Random sampling method frequently used
with telephone interviewing where phone numbers are dialed
randomly resulting in unbiased and representative sample
, Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) = the interviewer
reads the questions from a computer screen, records the responses,
and the data are put into a computer file.
◉ Mail questionnaires
Answer: Advantages = low cost
Disadvantages = most questionnaires are never returned
Return rate 20-30%
Can increase rate with follow-up letters
◉ Group -Administered Questionnaire
Answer: Advantages = questionnaires filled out quickly and
efficiently
Weaknesses = not very viable approach since participants often
dispersed across locations
◉ Electronic Questionnaires (Web-Based)
Answer: Advantages = low cost (doesn't require postage, printing
costs, interviewer involvement, instant access to wide audience,
being, capable of having responses downloaded into
spreadsheet/statistical analysis program, flexible in layout
