CRS Quantitative Research Methods 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A researcher wants to determine if there is a statistically significant difference in mean scores among three or more independent groups. Which test is most appropriate?
- Independent samples t-test
- One-way ANOVA (Correct answer)
- Chi-square test
- Pearson correlation
Correct answer: One-way ANOVA
One-way ANOVA compares means across three or more independent groups simultaneously, controlling the Type I error rate.
Question 2: Which sampling method involves dividing the population into subgroups and then randomly sampling from each subgroup proportionally?
- Cluster sampling
- Systematic sampling
- Stratified random sampling (Correct answer)
- Convenience sampling
Correct answer: Stratified random sampling
Stratified random sampling divides the population into strata and samples proportionally from each to ensure representation.
Question 3: In regression analysis, multicollinearity refers to:
- High correlation between the dependent variable and predictors
- High correlation among independent variables (Correct answer)
- Non-linear relationships in the data
- Unequal variance of residuals across predictor levels
Correct answer: High correlation among independent variables
Multicollinearity occurs when independent variables in a regression model are highly correlated with each other, inflating standard errors.
Question 4: A Likert scale that ranges from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree) is considered what level of measurement?
- Nominal
- Ratio
- Interval
- Ordinal (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Ordinal
Likert scales produce ordinal data because they rank responses in order but the intervals between points are not guaranteed to be equal.
Question 5: What does a 95% confidence interval mean in the context of research findings?
- There is a 95% probability the true parameter equals the sample estimate
- 95% of data points fall within the interval
- If repeated sampling were done, 95% of such intervals would contain the true parameter (Correct answer)
- The null hypothesis has a 5% chance of being true
Correct answer: If repeated sampling were done, 95% of such intervals would contain the true parameter
A 95% CI means that under repeated sampling, 95% of the constructed intervals would capture the true population parameter.
Question 6: Which effect size measure is most commonly reported alongside an independent samples t-test?
- Eta-squared (η²)
- Cohen's d (Correct answer)
- Cramer's V
- Odds ratio
Correct answer: Cohen's d
Cohen's d expresses the difference between two means in standard deviation units and is the standard effect size for t-tests.
Question 7: In a study with a p-value of 0.03 and an alpha level of 0.05, the researcher should:
- Fail to reject the null hypothesis
- Accept the null hypothesis
- Reject the null hypothesis (Correct answer)
- Increase the sample size before deciding
Correct answer: Reject the null hypothesis
Because p (0.03) < α (0.05), the result is statistically significant and the null hypothesis is rejected.
CRS Quantitative Research Methods 2
A researcher wants to determine if there is a statistically significant difference in mean scores among three or more independent groups.
Which test is most appropriate?