Fundamentals & Core Principles Flashcards

Which type of research design is BEST suited when a researcher wants to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between two variables?

Answer: Experimental design

Experimental designs use random assignment and controlled manipulation to establish causal relationships between variables.

In a double-blind study, who is unaware of the treatment assignment?

Answer: Both participants and researchers

In a double-blind study, both participants and the researchers assessing outcomes are unaware of treatment assignments to minimize bias.

A researcher measures annual income in exact dollar amounts. This variable is measured at which scale?

Answer: Ratio

Ratio scale has a true zero point (no income = $0) and allows meaningful ratios, making income a ratio-level variable.

What is the PRIMARY purpose of a literature review in the research process?

Answer: To identify gaps and build a theoretical foundation

A literature review synthesizes existing knowledge, identifies research gaps, and provides the theoretical framework for new research.

When researchers generalize findings from a sample to a broader population, they are engaging in which type of reasoning?

Answer: Inductive reasoning

Inductive reasoning moves from specific observations (sample) to broader generalizations (population).

Which term describes the degree to which a measurement instrument consistently produces the same results under the same conditions?

Answer: Reliability

Reliability refers to the consistency or repeatability of a measurement tool across multiple administrations.

A research team collects data on political party affiliation (Democrat, Republican, Independent). This is an example of which measurement scale?

Answer: Nominal

Party affiliation is a nominal variable because categories are mutually exclusive labels with no inherent order or numerical meaning.