Research Design: A Comprehensive Guide for Advanced Diploma in Sport Students

Question 1

Which of the following is a key characteristic of qualitative research methods?

Accepted Answer

Exploration of complex social phenomena

Answer

Emphasis on quantitative data collection

Answer

Generalizability of findings to a broader population

Answer

Reliance on statistical analysis for hypothesis testing

Question 2

Which of the following is a defining trait of quantitative research design?

Accepted Answer

Emphasizes the collection and analysis of numerical data

Answer

Primarily relies on qualitative methods

Answer

Aims to explore subjective experiences

Answer

Utilizes predominantly descriptive statistics

Question 3

Which sampling method involves selecting participants randomly from a larger population?

Accepted Answer

Random sampling

Answer

Convenience sampling

Answer

Quota sampling

Answer

Snowball sampling

Question 4

What is the primary goal of an experimental research design?

Accepted Answer

Establish cause-and-effect relationships

Answer

Examine relationships between variables

Answer

Generate hypotheses

Answer

Gather qualitative data

Question 5

What is the primary purpose of data collection methods in research?

Accepted Answer

Gather information to address research questions

Answer

Manipulate variables and test hypotheses

Answer

Produce data for analysis

Answer

Ensure the reliability of research findings

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of a non-experimental research design?

Accepted Answer

Cross-sectional study

Answer

Randomized controlled trial

Answer

Quasi-experimental design

Answer

Single-participant study

Question 7

Which factor plays a crucial role in selecting an appropriate research design?

Accepted Answer

The research question

Answer

Availability of data

Answer

Ethical implications

Answer

Researcher's expertise

Question 8

Which of the following techniques is not widely used in data analysis for sport research?

Accepted Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging

Answer

Statistical analysis

Answer

Thematic analysis

Answer

Discourse analysis

Question 9

Which characteristic is not essential for a sound research design?

Accepted Answer

Subjectivity

Answer

Validity

Answer

Reliability

Answer

Generalizability

Question 10

What is the primary objective of a non-experimental research design?

Accepted Answer

To explore and describe phenomena

Answer

To establish causal relationships

Answer

To manipulate variables and observe their effects

Answer

To test specific hypotheses

Question 11

Which sampling technique is appropriate for a study aiming to represent the entire population?

Accepted Answer

Simple random sampling

Answer

Systematic sampling

Answer

Stratified sampling

Answer

Convenience sampling

Question 12

What is the primary advantage of using a structured interview as a data collection method?

Accepted Answer

Ensures standardization and consistency of data

Answer

Generates detailed and nuanced responses

Answer

Is less time-consuming than unstructured interviews

Answer

Encourages participants to express their true opinions

Question 13

What is the main purpose of operationalizing variables in a research?

Accepted Answer

Translate abstract concepts into measurable indicators

Answer

Ensure all researchers use consistent definitions

Answer

Enhance the validity of the study

Answer

Make results more accessible to non-researchers

Question 14

How does a hypothesis differ from a research question?

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is a prediction, while a research question is a general inquiry.

Answer

A research question is a prediction, while a hypothesis is a general inquiry.

Answer

There is no distinction between a hypothesis and a research question.

Answer

A hypothesis is testable, while a research question is not.

Question 15

What is a key advantage of using qualitative research methods in sport research?

Accepted Answer

Provides in-depth understanding of individual experiences and perspectives

Answer

More reliable than quantitative methods

Answer

Less time-consuming than quantitative methods

Answer

Only suitable for small-scale studies

Question 16

Which feature is **NOT** characteristic of an experimental research design?

Accepted Answer

Data collection through observation

Answer

Control group

Answer

Random assignment

Answer

Manipulation of variables

Question 17

What is the primary purpose of sampling in research?

Accepted Answer

To select a group of participants that accurately represents the population

Answer

To generalize findings to the entire population

Answer

To collect data from every member of the population

Answer

To eliminate bias from the data collection process

Question 18

Which data collection method is best suited for gathering in-depth, qualitative data?

Accepted Answer

Interviews

Answer

Surveys

Answer

Experiments

Answer

Questionnaires

Question 19

What is the key distinction between a cross-sectional and longitudinal research design?

Accepted Answer

Cross-sectional designs collect data at one time point, while longitudinal designs collect data over multiple time points

Answer

Longitudinal designs collect data from a larger sample size than cross-sectional designs

Answer

Cross-sectional designs are more suitable for exploratory research, while longitudinal designs are more suitable for confirmatory research

Answer

Longitudinal designs can be more expensive and time-consuming to conduct than cross-sectional designs

Question 20

Which ethical principle is most closely aligned with the concept of informed consent?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Justice

Answer

Non-maleficence

Question 21

What is the key advantage of using a stratified sampling technique?

Accepted Answer

It ensures that all subgroups within the population are adequately represented in the sample

Answer

It minimizes the likelihood of sampling bias

Answer

It makes data collection more efficient

Answer

It allows for more accurate generalizations to the population

Question 22

Which of the following is **NOT** a possible disadvantage of using a qualitative research approach?

Accepted Answer

Data analysis can be highly efficient

Answer

Small sample size may limit generalizability

Answer

Researcher bias may influence data interpretation

Answer

Findings may be difficult to replicate

Question 23

What is the primary purpose of conducting a pilot study?

Accepted Answer

To assess the feasibility and validity of a research design before full implementation

Answer

To collect preliminary data for hypothesis testing

Answer

To recruit participants for the main study

Answer

To refine data collection instruments

Question 24

Which reliability measure indicates the consistency of a research instrument over time?

Accepted Answer

Test-retest reliability

Answer

Inter-rater reliability

Answer

Internal consistency

Answer

Face validity

Question 25

What is the primary ethical concern associated with the use of deception as a research method?

Accepted Answer

Deception may erode trust between researchers and participants

Answer

Participants should be aware of the deception before participating in the study

Answer

Deception may cause psychological harm to participants

Answer

Deception is always unethical regardless of the circumstances