Types of Quantitative Research: A Comprehensive Guide for PhD Students

Question 1

To determine the effectiveness of a specific intervention, the most suitable quantitative research method is:

Accepted Answer

Experimental research

Answer

Descriptive research

Answer

Correlational research

Answer

Meta-analysis

Question 2

The primary purpose of random sampling is to:

Accepted Answer

Ensure equal selection probability for all population members.

Answer

Minimize bias in the sample.

Answer

Increase the sample size.

Answer

Facilitate generalization of findings to the population.

Question 3

To assess the strength of the relationship between two variables, researchers often utilize:

Accepted Answer

Correlation coefficient

Answer

Regression coefficient

Answer

T-test

Answer

Chi-square test

Question 4

In correlational research, the primary focus is on:

Accepted Answer

Exploring the relationships between variables

Answer

Determining cause-and-effect relationships through experimentation

Answer

Making predictions about future outcomes

Answer

Testing specific hypotheses through manipulation

Question 5

In quantitative research, the process of translating abstract concepts into measurable variables is known as:

Accepted Answer

Operationalization

Answer

Hypothesis formulation

Answer

Data analysis

Answer

Interpretation

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

Low cost of data collection

Answer

Difficulty in capturing complex, subjective experiences

Answer

Potential for researcher bias and influence

Answer

Challenges in generalizing findings

Question 7

Which of the following is a qualitative research method?

Accepted Answer

Qualitative research

Answer

Descriptive research

Answer

Correlational research

Answer

Experimental research

Question 8

Which characteristic best defines descriptive research?

Accepted Answer

Summarizes and describes data

Answer

Examines relationships between two or more variables

Answer

Tests hypotheses by manipulating variables

Answer

Involves randomly assigning participants to different groups

Question 9

What is a major limitation of correlational research?

Accepted Answer

Its inability to establish causal relationships

Answer

Its high cost and resource-intensive nature

Answer

Its susceptibility to biased sample selection

Answer

Its reliance on subjective data collection methods

Question 10

Which of the following is an advantage of experimental research?

Accepted Answer

High level of internal validity and control over variables

Answer

Applicability to a variety of research questions

Answer

Low cost and ease of implementation

Answer

Ability to generalize findings to the wider population

Question 11

The primary objective of descriptive research is to:

Accepted Answer

Provide a detailed description and summary of data

Answer

Establish cause-and-effect relationships

Answer

Test research hypotheses

Answer

Develop new research theories

Question 12

The fundamental distinction between correlational and experimental research lies in:

Accepted Answer

Experimental research involves manipulating variables, while correlational research does not.

Answer

Correlational research involves manipulating variables, while experimental research does not.

Answer

Correlational research tests hypotheses, while experimental research does not.

Answer

Experimental research tests hypotheses, while correlational research does not.

Question 13

A key limitation associated with experimental research is:

Accepted Answer

Difficulty controlling all relevant variables

Answer

Limited generalizability of findings to other populations

Answer

Increased susceptibility to researcher bias

Answer

Ethical concerns

Question 14

To establish cause-and-effect relationships, the most suitable type of quantitative research design is:

Accepted Answer

Experimental research

Answer

Descriptive research

Answer

Correlational research

Answer

Semi-experimental research

Question 15

Operational definitions in quantitative research serve the purpose of:

Accepted Answer

Precisely defining and enabling the measurement of variables

Answer

Establishing the research study's hypotheses

Answer

Determining the appropriate sample size for the study

Answer

Analyzing the data collected for the study

Question 16

To obtain a representative sample, the most appropriate sampling technique is:

Accepted Answer

Random sampling

Answer

Convenience sampling

Answer

Quota sampling

Answer

Stratified sampling

Question 17

Which type of quantitative research is used to examine the relationships between two or more variables?

Accepted Answer

Correlational research

Answer

Exploratory research

Answer

Descriptive research

Answer

Causal-comparative research

Question 18

What is the primary objective of descriptive research?

Accepted Answer

To describe and summarize characteristics of a population or phenomenon

Answer

To establish cause-and-effect relationships

Answer

To test hypotheses about relationships between variables

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To explore new areas of inquiry

Question 19

Which of the following is a distinctive feature of experimental research?

Accepted Answer

Participants are randomly assigned to different treatment groups

Answer

Data is collected solely through qualitative methods

Answer

The researcher has no control over the independent variables

Question 20

When is experimental research an appropriate choice of research design?

Accepted Answer

When the researcher aims to manipulate an independent variable to observe its effect on a dependent variable

Answer

When the research question focuses on establishing correlations between variables

Answer

When the researcher wants to describe a phenomenon without manipulating variables

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When the research question primarily involves qualitative data

Question 21

What is a potential limitation associated with correlational research?

Accepted Answer

It cannot definitively establish causal relationships

Answer

It requires a large sample size to be meaningful

Answer

It assumes a linear relationship between variables

Answer

It can only be used to study small populations

Question 22

Which of the following is an example of a descriptive statistic?

Accepted Answer

Mean

Answer

Correlation coefficient

Answer

Hypothesis test

Answer

Regression equation

Question 23

What is the primary function of a research hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

To make a prediction about the outcome of a study

Answer

To explain the findings of a study

Answer

To prove the research question

Answer

To describe the research question

Question 24

What is a key advantage of using quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

It provides quantifiable data that can be analyzed statistically

Answer

It is always more accurate and reliable than qualitative research

Answer

It is easier to conduct and interpret than qualitative research

Question 25

How are independent variables distinguished from dependent variables?

Accepted Answer

Independent variables are those manipulated by the researcher, while dependent variables are those affected by the manipulation

Answer

Dependent variables are those manipulated by the researcher, while independent variables are those affected by the manipulation