Choosing a Research Design: A Comprehensive Guide for Sport Science Students

Question 1

When selecting a research design, which of the following factors should NOT be the primary consideration?

Accepted Answer

The researcher's personal preference

Answer

The research question and objectives

Answer

The availability of participants and resources

Answer

Ethical implications and participant welfare

Question 2

In research design, explain the concepts of validity and reliability. Discuss their importance in ensuring the trustworthiness of research findings.

Accepted Answer

Validity measures the extent to which a research tool accurately measures what it intends to measure, while reliability refers to the consistency of the tool's measurements.

Answer

Validity pertains to the generalizability of research results to a wider population, while reliability relates to the accuracy of the measurements.

Answer

Validity refers to the absence of bias in research, while reliability indicates the statistical significance of the findings.

Answer

Validity and reliability are not significant factors to consider when selecting a research design.

Question 3

To explore the experiences of female athletes in a specific sport, which research design is most suitable and why?

Accepted Answer

Qualitative research design, enabling in-depth exploration of experiences.

Answer

Quantitative research design, involving numerical data analysis.

Answer

Mixed methods research design, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches.

Question 4

Which of the following are **ethical** considerations that must be taken into account when choosing a research design in Sport Science?

Accepted Answer

Informed consent, confidentiality, and beneficence

Answer

Cost, time, and resources

Answer

Validity, reliability, and generalizability

Answer

Sample size, data collection methods, and analysis techniques

Question 5

When selecting a research design, which of the following factors should **NOT** be taken into account?

Accepted Answer

The researcher's personal preference

Answer

The research question

Answer

The available resources

Answer

Ethical considerations

Question 6

When selecting a research design, which factor holds the utmost importance?

Accepted Answer

The research question

Answer

The research setting

Answer

The availability of resources

Answer

The researcher's convenience

Question 7

A quantitative research design is most suitable when:

Accepted Answer

The aim is to quantify and analyze numerical data.

Answer

The sample size is relatively small.

Answer

The research question is exploratory in nature.

Answer

The goal is to gain subjective insights.

Question 8

A longitudinal research design offers the advantage of:

Accepted Answer

Examining changes over time

Answer

Ensuring representative samples

Answer

Providing high control over variables

Answer

Being less time-consuming than cross-sectional designs

Question 9

Which sampling technique is most likely to result in a representative sample?

Accepted Answer

Random sampling

Answer

Snowball sampling

Answer

Convenience sampling

Answer

Quota sampling

Question 10

The fundamental distinction between a correlation and a causal relationship is:

Accepted Answer

A correlation measures the strength of association, while a causal relationship implies one variable causing a change in another

Answer

Correlations are based on observational data, while causal relationships are based on experimental data

Question 11

When designing a research study, which ethical consideration is paramount?

Accepted Answer

Protecting the privacy and confidentiality of participants

Answer

Utilizing cutting-edge research methods

Answer

Selecting the most cost-effective design

Question 12

The primary purpose of conducting a pilot study is to:

Accepted Answer

Test the feasibility and effectiveness of the research design and instruments

Answer

Collect preliminary data for the main study

Answer

Verify the research hypothesis

Question 13

The defining characteristic of a quasi-experimental design is that it:

Accepted Answer

Does not involve random assignment of participants to groups

Answer

Is used to establish causal relationships

Answer

Is always conducted in a laboratory setting

Question 14

Which of the following is the primary consideration when selecting a research design?

Accepted Answer

Alignment with the research question

Answer

Researcher's preferences

Answer

Study duration

Answer

Availability of resources

Question 15

Which research design is most appropriate for examining the relationships between multiple variables without establishing causality?

Accepted Answer

Correlational design

Answer

Longitudinal design

Answer

Experimental design

Answer

Quasi-experimental design

Question 16

Which of the following is an advantage of experimental research designs?

Accepted Answer

High internal validity

Answer

Generalizability of results

Answer

Short study duration

Answer

Low cost

Question 17

Which research design is best suited for investigating changes in variables over an extended period?

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal design

Answer

Experimental design

Answer

Cross-sectional design

Answer

Case study design

Question 18

Which of the following factors can influence the generalizability of research findings?

Accepted Answer

Sample representativeness and size

Answer

Researcher's experience

Answer

Statistical analysis methods

Answer

Data collection techniques

Question 19

Which research design is specifically suited for testing cause-and-effect relationships by manipulating independent variables?

Accepted Answer

Experimental design

Answer

Quasi-experimental design

Answer

Correlational design

Answer

Longitudinal design

Question 20

When is it appropriate to use a quasi-experimental design?

Accepted Answer

When random assignment is not possible

Answer

When the study has a long duration

Answer

When the research question is exploratory

Answer

When the study involves a large sample size

Question 21

Which of the following is a primary ethical consideration in research design?

Accepted Answer

Protection of participants' rights and well-being

Answer

Availability of resources

Answer

Cost-effectiveness

Answer

Convenience for the researcher

Question 22

Which research design is most appropriate for in-depth exploration of a specific case or phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Case study design

Answer

Survey design

Answer

Experimental design

Answer

Longitudinal design

Question 23

When should researchers consider using a mixed-methods research design?

Accepted Answer

To gain a more comprehensive understanding by combining qualitative and quantitative data

Answer

When the research question is simple

Answer

When resources are limited