The nature of quantitative research
The split-half method is used as a test of:
Stability
Internal reliability
Inter-observer consistency
External validity
Internal reliability
’Split-half’ in research means grouping indicators so that the degree of co-relation between the answers can be examined. Typically, ten indicators would be divided into two groups of five each. Now we can see if respondents who scored high on one group also scored high on the other. We have, literally, split the group of indicators in half. Why? To show that the indicators we have used, actually relate to the concept, and thereby guarantee internal reliability.
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 157
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 157
Internal reliability ’Split-half’ in research means grouping indicators so that the degree of co-relation between the answers can be examined. Typically, ten indicators would be divided into two groups of five each. Now we can see if respondents who scored high on one group also scored high on the other. We have, literally, split the group of indicators in half. Why? To show that the indicators we have used, actually relate to the concept, and thereby guarantee internal reliability.
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 157
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 157
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The term ‘reverse operationism’ means that:A. The theories we devise will often hinder our attempts to measure concepts
B. The measurements we devise can sometimes help to develop a theory
C. Techniques such as factor analysis have no place in social research
D. Driving instructors always make you practice the most difficult manoeuvre
The importance of measurement in quantitative research is that:
A. It allows us to delineate fine differences between people or cases
B. It provides a consistent device or yardstick
C. It allows for precise estimates of the degree of relationship between concepts
D. All of the above
Written accounts of quantitative research rarely include the results of reliability and validity tests because:
A. Researchers are more interested in reporting their operational definitions
B. Researchers don’t really think that these tests are important
C. Journal editors have banned these kinds of articles
D. Researchers are more interested in reporting their substantive findings
The difference between measures and indicators is that:
A. Measures are unambiguous quantities, whereas indicators are devised from common sense understandings
B. Indicators have a more direct relationship to the underlying concept than measures
C. Measures are intuitively devised and then applied as if they were direct indicators of a concept
D. Indicators are unambiguous quantities, whereas measures are subjective and value-laden
Which of the following is not a form of measurement validity?
A. Concurrent validity
B. Face validity
C. Conductive validity
D. Convergent validity
One of the preoccupations of quantitative researchers is with generalization, which is a sign of:
A. External validity
B. Internal reliability
C. External reliability
D. Internal validity
An operational definition is:
A. One that bears no relation to the underlying concept
B. An abstract, theoretical definition of a concept
C. A definition of a concept in terms of specific, empirical measures
D. One that refers to opera singers and their work
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