North Greenville University T. Walter Brashier Graduate School BUSN 5350 Research Methods Exam

North Greenville University

1. Walter Brashier Graduate School

BUSN 5350                   Research Methods                            Exam

Please fully answer each of the following questions.  Remember that this is a graduate-level exam, so be sure to discuss each question in detail, using complete sentences and avoiding the use of bullet lists.  Every question is a discussion, regardless of how it is worded so a list will not be sufficient to demonstrate that you have mastered the concept. This is an individual assignment, so any evidence of group work (including the use of internet sources/tutors) will result in failure of the exam, and potentially failure of the course for an honor’s violation.    Please submit your responses, in order, in the following format: typed, double-spaced, in a 12-point font, with a header that includes your name and the page number.

1. What is good research? Discuss this along with the 5 stages of research.  What needs to happen at each stage?
2. What are the three types of relationships between variables than can occur when testing causal hypotheses? Explain.
3. Explain the three types of non-probability sampling techniques commonly used to select samples for research studies.  Discuss the type(s) of sampling you’ll use in your project.
4. What are the strengths and weaknesses of observational research? What steps might be taken to ensure the validity of this type of research?
5. Discuss seven possible threats to internal validity. How do these threats weaken a design? How might these threats be dealt with?
6. Discuss the three survey methods, including the advantages and disadvantages of each. Give examples of when/where each type might be most effective.
7. Describe the four sources of error in measurement, including the possible causes of errors, and provide an example for each.
8. Discuss the characteristics of a good measurement.  Discuss how you will ensure that your survey instrument will display these characteristics.
9. There are several possible issues that may affect measurement questions. Discuss the possible effects of question content, question wording, and response strategy choice on the quality of resulting data.
10. Explain the researcher’s dilemma in deciding whether to use forced-choice rating scales or unforced-choice rating scales?  What types of tactics can researchers use to minimize participant tendencies to avoid extreme judgments or choose extreme positions on a scale?
11. What are the three types of questions that can be used when multiple responses to a single question are desired from the respondent? Explain each type of question and cite examples.
12. What are the steps in drafting and refining a survey instrument, especially the phase of organizing the pieces?  Explain the meaning of pretesting and why instrument designers should pretest questionnaires prior to using them in a study.  Use your pilot study to illustrate the lessons learned.
13. Data cannot be examined until it is entered and edited. What are the issues that must be considered when entering and editing data, with particular emphasis on coding?
14. Discuss each step in the six-step procedure for testing for statistical significance.  Why is it important for research to adhere to this sequence?
15. Discuss the purpose of calculating measures of association. Pick any 5 measures of association and discuss the purpose of the analysis, the type of data used, and how the results are interpreted.
16. “Research is worthless if you can’t communicate your results in a way that others can understand them.” Discuss why this statement might be true or false.  How might data be displayed to better communicate results?