The nature of quantitative research
The term ‘reverse operationism’ means that:
The theories we devise will often hinder our attempts to measure concepts
The measurements we devise can sometimes help to develop a theory
Techniques such as factor analysis have no place in social research
Driving instructors always make you practice the most difficult manoeuvre
The measurements we devise can sometimes help to develop a theory
Bryman defines ‘reverse operationism’ (cited as Bryman 1988a:28 on p167) as an eventuality in research whereby concepts are generated by measures, or indicators, rather than the other way around. We might think of this as ‘reverse operationalism’ to stay consistent with the terms used in this chapter. Obviously this is not an intended procedure but rather something which emerges from extensive analysis of indicators, typically through factor analysis. As with any other statistical analysis technique, this certainly has a place in quantitative social research. Factor analysis is a sort of ‘trial-and-error’ analysis, attempting to discover which indicators are more likely to belong to a particular group of indicators than another. It is a useful tool in re-thinking social segments, leading to the formulation of new concepts for testing.
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 167
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 167
The measurements we devise can sometimes help to develop a theory Bryman defines ‘reverse operationism’ (cited as Bryman 1988a:28 on p167) as an eventuality in research whereby concepts are generated by measures, or indicators, rather than the other way around. We might think of this as ‘reverse operationalism’ to stay consistent with the terms used in this chapter. Obviously this is not an intended procedure but rather something which emerges from extensive analysis of indicators, typically through factor analysis. As with any other statistical analysis technique, this certainly has a place in quantitative social research. Factor analysis is a sort of ‘trial-and-error’ analysis, attempting to discover which indicators are more likely to belong to a particular group of indicators than another. It is a useful tool in re-thinking social segments, leading to the formulation of new concepts for testing.
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 167
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 167
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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
Quantitative research has been criticised because:
A. The measurement process suggests a spurious and artificial sense of accuracy
B. The reliance on instruments and procedures makes it high in ecological validity
C. It underestimates the similarities between objects in the natural and social worlds
D. All of the above
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