Communication Research: Asking Questions, Finding Answers, 5e (Keyton)
Chapter 4 Introduction to Quantitative Research
1) A hypothesis is
A) necessary for quantitative research.
B) an educated guess or a presumption based on the review of the research literature.
C) the definition of one variable.
D) in the form of a question.
E) used when conflicting results are found in the research literature.
2) A directional hypothesis is
A) preferable to a null hypothesis.
B) preferable to a research question.
C) a precise statement indicating the nature and direction of the relationship or difference between
variables.
D) states that a difference in either direction is acceptable.
E) an operationalization of two more variables.
3) A null hypothesis
A) is explicitly stated in a research article.
B) is the basis of the statistical test.
C) provides another alternative in addition to the research hypothesis.
D) is the statement of no relationship or relationship between the variables.
E) both B and D.
4) An independent variable
A) is the operationalization of the dependent variable.
B) can be substituted for a dependent variable.
C) is also referred to as antecedent, experimental, treatment and causal variable.
D) confuses or obscures the effect of one variable on another.
5) Choose the research term that describes the variable that is manipulated.
A) Dependent variable
B) Independent variable
6) Choose the research term that describes “also known as the antecedent or predictor variable.”
A) Dependent variable
B) Independent variable
7) Choose the research term that describes “also known as the criterion variable.”
A) Dependent variable
B) Independent variable
8) Choose the research term that describes the cause of change in the other variable.
A) Dependent variable
B) Independent variable
9) Choose the research term that describes “may vary naturally without researcher manipulation.”
A) Dependent variable
B) Independent variable
10) Choose the research term that describes “is changed or influenced by another variable.”
A) Dependent variable
B) Independent variable
11) Choose the research term that describes the variable the researcher is trying to explain.
A) Dependent variable
B) Independent variable
12) Choose the research term that describes the following concept: achieved when a researcher is
consistent in the use of data collection procedures across all participants.
A) Reliability
B) Validity
13) Choose the research term that describes the following concept: achieved when participants
react similarly to data collection procedures.
A) Reliability
B) Validity
14) Choose the research term that describes the following concept: achieved when the
measurement measured what was intended.
A) Reliability
B) Validity
Match the following descriptions with the terms:
A) The theoretical definition of a concept
B) Way of looking at the relationships among elements with common characteristics
C) Elements presented in the research question or hypothesis
D) Specific way of measuring or observing
E) An abstract way of thinking that helps us group together those things that are similar to one
another
15) Concept
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16) Conceptual scheme
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17) Construct
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18) Variable
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19) Operationalization
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20) In quantitative research, researchers use numbers to represent amounts, frequencies, degrees,
values, or intensity.
21) Quantitative research generally relies on inductive reasoning.
22) In developing a research project, it is okay for a researcher to ignore the literature if he or she
has a good reason for doing so.
23) Although the null hypothesis is subjected to the statistical test, the researcher presents the
research or alternative hypothesis as the basis of the study.
24) Sex is not a variable if the study investigates only women.
25) In a hypothesis, all variables must be identified as independent or dependent.
26) Another term for independent variable is criterion variable.
27) A researcher cannot have a dependent variable without an independent variable and vice versa.
28) Reliability and validity are similar concepts. It is only necessary for a researcher to
demonstrate that one of these is present.
29) What is the role of theory in quantitative research?
30) How do research questions differ from hypotheses? Identify the instances when a researcher
would use research questions instead of hypotheses.
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31) Explain the necessity of transforming variables into operationalizations.
32) Explain the statement, “To be a variable, the element must vary.” Give at least two examples in
your explanation.
33) Describe the advantages and limitations of quantitative research.
34) Identify and describe four types of variation in data that are threats to reliability and validity.