Research designs
“Internal validity” refers to:
Whether or not there is really a causal relationship between two variables
Whether or not the findings are relevant to the participants’ everyday lives
The degree to which the researcher feels that this was a worthwhile project
How accurately the measurements represent underlying concepts
Whether or not there is really a causal relationship between two variables
”Validity” has a special meaning in research, usually indicating the truth of something, its authenticity. Many of our research activities can be seen as valid steps towards producing a dissertation, for example, but our conclusions will not be worthwhile unless our research was valid. If a measure proves unreliable (see question 2), it lacks “measurement validity” but “internal validity” is lost when the “internal” relationship between variables is lost, or ambiguous, or confused. Typically, we argue that “a” causes “b”, but if “b” can actually influence the value of “a”, then the causal relationship suggested doesn’t really exist.
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 41,42
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 41,42
Whether or not there is really a causal relationship between two variables ”Validity” has a special meaning in research, usually indicating the truth of something, its authenticity. Many of our research activities can be seen as valid steps towards producing a dissertation, for example, but our conclusions will not be worthwhile unless our research was valid. If a measure proves unreliable (see question 2), it lacks “measurement validity” but “internal validity” is lost when the “internal” relationship between variables is lost, or ambiguous, or confused. Typically, we argue that “a” causes “b”, but if “b” can actually influence the value of “a”, then the causal relationship suggested doesn’t really exist.
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 41,42
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 41,42
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Panel and cohort designs differ, in that:A. Cohort studies involve quantitative research, whereas panel studies are qualitative
B. A panel study does not need rules to handle new entrants to households
C. Only a cohort study will suffer from sample attrition
D. A panel study can distinguish between age effects and cohort effects, but a cohort design can only detect ageing effects
If a study is “reliable”, this means that:
A. It was conducted by a reputable researcher who can be trusted
B. The measures devised for concepts are stable on different occasions
C. The findings can be generalized to other social settings
D. The methods are stated clearly enough for the research to be replicated
Lincoln & Guba (1985) propose that an alternative criterion for evaluating qualitative research would be:
A. Impressiveness
B. Trustworthiness
C. Joyfulness
D. Messiness
Survey research is cross-sectional and therefore:
A. High in replicability but low in internal validity
B. High in internal validity but low in reliability
C. High in ecological validity but low in external validity
D. None of the above
In an experimental design, the dependent variable is:
A. The one that is not manipulated and in which any changes are observed
B. The one that is manipulated in order to observe any effects on the other
C. A measure of the extent to which personal values affect research
D. An ambiguous concept whose meaning depends on how it is defined
What is a research design?
A. A way of conducting research that is not grounded in theory
B. The choice between using qualitative or quantitative methods
C. The style in which you present your research findings, e.g. a graph
D. A framework for every stage of the collection and analysis of data
Cross cultural studies are an example of:
A. Case study design
B. Comparative design
C. Experimental design
D. Longitudinal design
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