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Lectures Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the purpose of using a well-designed, pre-tested questionnaire in data collection?

A

To ensure accuracy

It helps in collecting reliable data by training data collectors thoroughly.

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2
Q

What is Cronbach’s Alpha used for in reliability testing?

A

To check if the questionnaire gives consistent results

It is a statistical measure of internal consistency.

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3
Q

What ethical considerations must be taken when collecting data?

A
  • Informed consent
  • Anonymity
  • Confidentiality
  • Right to withdraw

Participants should be assured of their rights and the ethical handling of their data.

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4
Q

How can measurement error be minimized in data collection?

A
  • Use clear questions
  • Pre-test the questionnaire

This ensures that questions are understandable and relevant to the respondents.

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5
Q

What is construct validity and how can it be tested?

A

Tested using factor analysis in SPSS

It checks if questions accurately measure the intended concepts.

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6
Q

What techniques can enhance qualitative data reliability?

A
  • Triangulation
  • Member Checking
  • Audit Trail

These techniques help confirm findings and maintain data integrity.

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7
Q

What procedures ensure secondary data validity?

A
  • Check the source
  • Check for consistency
  • Understand the context

Using reputable sources like the Pakistan Stock Exchange is crucial.

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8
Q

What is triangulation in research?

A

Using multiple methods or data sources to enhance credibility

For example, combining surveys and focus groups can validate findings.

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9
Q

How does convenience sampling work?

A

Selecting respondents who are easiest to reach

This method may lead to biased results that are not generalizable.

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10
Q

What is the justification for using purposive sampling?

A

To interview individuals with specific knowledge

This method relies on the researcher’s judgment to select experts.

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11
Q

How does snowball sampling operate?

A

Finding initial respondents and asking them to refer others

This can lead to a homogenous sample and potential bias.

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12
Q

What is the process of simple random sampling?

A

Assigning numbers to participants and using a random number generator

This ensures each participant has an equal chance of selection.

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13
Q

What is the difference between stratified random sampling and cluster sampling?

A
  • Stratified: Random sample from every group
  • Cluster: Randomly select groups and survey all within

Stratified sampling ensures representation from all groups, while cluster sampling is more practical for large areas.

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14
Q

What is the rationale for stratification in sampling?

A

To ensure different job roles are fairly represented

This is important for accurate results across various employee motivations.

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15
Q

How can credibility be ensured in snowball sampling?

A

Start with a diverse initial group of respondents

This helps reduce bias by including different networks.

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16
Q

How can randomness be managed in sampling?

A

Select the first participant randomly, not just the next in line

This avoids bias related to the time of day.

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17
Q

What are the steps in thematic analysis?

A
  • Transcription
  • Familiarization
  • Generating Initial Codes
  • Searching for Themes
  • Reviewing Themes
  • Defining Themes
  • Writing the Report

This structured approach helps in identifying patterns in qualitative data.

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18
Q

What is the process for identifying and coding themes?

A

Transcribe data, assign codes, and group into themes

This helps in organizing qualitative data for analysis.

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19
Q

What methods ensure inter-coder reliability?

A
  • Member checking
  • Comparing codes from different researchers

High agreement between coders indicates reliable analysis.

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20
Q

What is the goal of Braun & Clarke’s approach?

A

To move from raw text to identified patterns and categories

This involves a systematic process of thematic analysis.

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21
Q

What does a correlation coefficient close to +1 indicate?

A

A strong positive relationship between variables

For example, high advertising spend linked to high sales growth.

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22
Q

What does the R² value represent in multiple regression?

A

The percentage of variation explained by predictors

An R² of 0.60 means 60% of the variation in Customer Loyalty is explained.

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23
Q

What measures should be reported in descriptive statistics?

A
  • Central Tendency: Mean
  • Dispersion: Standard Deviation

These measures provide insights into the data distribution.

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24
Q

What does a p-value less than 0.05 indicate?

A

The relationship is statistically significant

This means the observed link is unlikely due to chance.

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25
What is a general definition of research?
The systematic investigation to establish facts and reach new conclusions.
26
How do Saunders et al. (2007) define research?
Something people undertake to find out things in a systematic way, thereby increasing their knowledge.
27
What is Business Research?
A systematic and objective investigation of a business-related problem to generate new knowledge that can inform business decisions.
28
What is NOT considered research? (Name two things)
1. The process of information gathering. 2. The transportation of facts from one resource to another.
29
What are the main objectives of research? (Name 3)
1. To find out hidden truth. 2. To gain familiarity with a phenomenon. 3. To portray characteristics of a group/situation. 4. To determine frequency of occurrence. 5. To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship.
30
What motivates people to undertake research? (Name 3 motivations)
Research degrees, challenge, intellectual joy, service to society, respectability, government directives, employment conditions, social thinking, understanding relationships.
31
Why is knowledge of research important for a manager?
It helps identify problem situations before they get out of control and decide when to hire outside researchers.
32
What are the three main types of research based on Purpose?
Exploratory, Descriptive, and Explanatory.
33
What are the two main types of research based on Audience?
Basic (Fundamental) and Applied.
34
What is Basic Research?
Research focused on gaining a deeper understanding of a phenomenon without a specific practical application in mind.
35
What is Applied Research?
Research focused on solving a specific, practical problem or addressing a particular need.
36
What is the goal of Exploratory Research?
To explore and clarify the nature of a problem; it does not provide conclusive evidence.
37
What is the goal of Descriptive Research?
To describe the characteristics of a population or phenomenon accurately.
38
What is the goal of Explanatory Research?
To explain the relationships between variables, often by testing theories.
39
What type of research would you use if you were 'unaware of the problem'?
Exploratory Research.
40
What are the three types of research based on Time?
Cross-Sectional, Longitudinal, and Case Study.
41
What is Cross-Sectional Research?
A 'snapshot' approach that observes a phenomenon at one point in time.
42
What is Longitudinal Research?
Research that examines features of people or units at more than one time to capture change.
43
What is a Case Study?
An in-depth examination of a single case (e.g., an individual, group, organization) over a duration of time.
44
What are the two types of data used in research?
Quantitative and Qualitative.
45
What is the first step in the research process?
Start with a broad notion of your discipline and research paradigm.
46
What are some key 'Orienting Decisions' in the research planning matrix? (Name 3)
Who wants the research? What are the time scales? What ethical issues are faced? What resources are required? Who owns the data?
47
What are the three main types of research proposals?
Funded, Managerial, and Academic.
48
What is the purpose of a Request for Proposal (RFP)?
To solicit bids from external suppliers or researchers to conduct a research project.
49
What is a key element found in both Funded and Managerial proposals but often not in student proposals?
A detailed Budget.
50
What is the first major section of a typical academic proposal?
Introduction.
51
What does the 'Background of the Study' section include?
An overview of the area, motivation, historical development, related theories, and major findings.
52
What is the 'Problem Statement'?
It identifies the specific issues that are the basis for the current study and raises the main research questions.
53
How should 'Objectives of the Study' be written?
Using action-oriented words like 'To determine,' 'To identify,' 'To measure.'
54
What is the 'Justification' section of a proposal?
It specifies the reasons for the study and identifies the stakeholders who will benefit.
55
What are 'Limitations' in a research proposal?
What the study will not accomplish and the conditions under which the results are applicable.
56
What is the 'Scope of the Study'?
It defines the extent of the study and the conditions to which the results can be generalized.
57
What does the 'Research Methodology' section detail?
The research design, population, sampling technique, data collection instruments, variables, and plan for data analysis.
58
What is a Gantt Chart used for in a research proposal?
To visually represent the research schedule and timeline for different tasks.
59
What is a Theoretical Framework?
It represents your beliefs on how certain variables are related to each other and explains why you believe they are associated.
60
What are the three basic steps in building a theoretical framework?
1. Identify and label variables. 2. State the relationships among variables (formulate hypotheses). 3. Explain why you expect these relationships.
61
What is a Dependent Variable (DV)?
The variable of primary interest to the researcher; the one you are trying to understand, predict, or explain.
62
What is an Independent Variable (IV)?
The variable that influences the dependent variable in either a positive or negative way.
63
What is a Moderating Variable?
A variable that affects the strength and/or direction of the relationship between an independent and a dependent variable.
64
What is a Mediating Variable?
A variable that explains the process through which an independent variable influences a dependent variable; it surfaces between the IV and DV.
65
What is a Hypothesis?
A proposition that is empirically testable; an empirical statement concerned with the relationship among variables.
66
What are the qualities of a good hypothesis?
It must be adequate for its purpose, testable, and better than its rivals.
67
What is a Literature Review (LR)?
A critical look at the existing research that is significant to the work you are carrying out.
68
What are the main objectives of a Literature Review? (Name 2)
To provide background information, establish importance, demonstrate familiarity, and 'carve out a space' for further research.
69
What are the qualities of an effective Literature Review? (Name 2)
Outlines research trends, assesses strengths/weaknesses of existing research, identifies gaps in knowledge, establishes a need for current/future research.
70
What are the six types of Literature Reviews?
1. Context, 2. Historical, 3. Integrative, 4. Methodological, 5. Self-Study, 6. Theoretical.
71
What is an Integrative Review?
A review that summarizes the current state of knowledge on a topic, highlighting agreements and disagreements.
72
What is a Theoretical Review?
A review that compares several theories on the same topic based on their assumptions, consistency, and scope.
73
What are the three parts of 'Analyzing' sources in an LR?
a. Summary and Synthesis, b. Comparison and Critique, c. Putting it All Together.
74
What are the five common ways to organize the body of a literature review?
1. Topical, 2. Distant to Close, 3. Debate, 4. Chronological, 5. Seminal Study.
75
What should a thesis statement in a literature review do?
Offer an argument about the literature, point out gaps, or relate the literature to the larger aim of the study.
76
What does APA stand for?
American Psychological Association.
77
How do you cite a work with two authors in-text?
List both authors every time, separated by an ampersand (&). e.g., (Kosik & Martin, 1999).
78
How do you cite a work with 3-5 authors for the first time?
List all authors. e.g., (Wilson, Brown, Green, & Gray, 2000). Subsequently, use et al. (Wilson et al., 2000).
79
How do you cite a personal communication?
(T. K. Lutes, personal communication, September 19, 2001). Note: Not included in reference list.
80
How are references ordered in the reference list?
Alphabetically by the first author's last name.
81
What is the hanging indent format for a reference list?
The first line is flush left, and every subsequent line is indented.
82
What is a DOI?
A Digital Object Identifier; a unique string of characters used to permanently identify an article or document.
83
What is measurement in research?
The assignment of numbers or symbols to characteristics of objects according to a pre-specified set of rules.
84
What is the difference between objective and subjective variables?
Objective variables can be physically measured (e.g., height), while subjective variables relate to perceptions and are hard to measure (e.g., satisfaction).
85
What are the two broad categories of scaling techniques?
Comparative and Non-comparative scales.
86
What is a key characteristic of comparative scaling techniques?
A respondent compares two or more objects directly.
87
What is the Paired Comparison technique?
A comparative technique where a respondent is presented with two objects and asked to select one according to some criterion.
88
What is the Constant Sum scaling technique?
Respondents allocate a fixed number of points (e.g., 100) among attributes to reflect their importance.
89
What are Non-comparative scales also known as?
Monadic scales.
90
What are the two main types of non-comparative scales?
Continuous Rating Scales and Itemized Rating Scales.
91
What are the three common types of itemized rating scales?
Likert scale, Semantic Differential scale, and Stapel scale.
92
What is a Likert Scale?
A scale where respondents indicate their degree of agreement or disagreement with a series of statements.
93
What is a Semantic Differential Scale?
A seven-point scale with bipolar adjectives (e.g., Powerful _ _ _ _ _ _ Weak) at each end.
94
What is a population in research?
The entire group of people or objects that the research is interested in.
95
What is a sample?
A subset of the population selected for the actual study.
96
Why do researchers use sampling?
Because a census of the entire population is often impractical due to constraints of time, budget, and resources.
97
What is a sampling frame?
A list of all the sampling units (e.g., people, organizations) in the population from which a sample is drawn.
98
What is the difference between probability and non-probability sampling?
Probability sampling uses random selection so every unit has a known chance of being selected. Non-probability sampling does not.
99
What are the five main probability sampling techniques?
1. Simple Random, 2. Systematic, 3. Stratified Random, 4. Cluster, 5. Multi-Stage.
100
What is Simple Random Sampling?
Every unit in the sampling frame has an equal chance of being selected, often using random number tables.
101
What is Systematic Sampling?
Selecting units from a sampling frame at regular intervals (e.g., every 10th name).
102
What is Stratified Random Sampling?
Dividing the population into strata (subgroups) and then taking a random sample from each stratum.
103
What is Cluster Sampling?
Dividing the population into clusters (often based on geography), randomly selecting a few clusters, and studying all units within the chosen clusters.
104
What are the five main non-probability sampling techniques?
1. Quota, 2. Snowball, 3. Self-Selection, 4. Convenience, 5. Purposive.
105
What is Quota Sampling?
A non-random method where the researcher ensures the sample reflects the population on certain characteristics (e.g., age, gender).
106
What is Snowball Sampling?
Used when populations are hard to find; existing study subjects recruit future subjects from among their acquaintances.
107
What is Convenience Sampling?
Selecting units that are easiest to access or most convenient for the researcher.
108
What is Purposive Sampling?
The researcher uses their judgment to select cases that will best enable them to answer their research questions.
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