Types of Research Methods and Designs Quiz

Test your understanding of research methodologies with these questions on qualitative, experimental, and mixed methods designs.

Practice Learn Test

Which research method is primarily qualitative and involves the detailed observation of people in their natural environment?

Experimental research

Ethnography

Survey research

Correlational research

In experimental research designs, what is the purpose of a control group?

To receive the experimental treatment

To be observed without intervention

To provide a standard of comparison for assessing the effect of the treatment

To manipulate the independent variable

Which type of research design is best suited for establishing cause-and-effect relationships?

Correlational

Experimental

Ethnographic

Case study

Which research method is most likely to use participant observation as a key data collection strategy?

Experimental research

Survey research

Ethnographic research

Correlational research

What is a cross-sectional study primarily characterized by?

Investigating a phenomenon through repeated observations over time

Examining a population or a representative subset at one specific point in time

Manipulating variables to determine cause and effect

Following the same subjects for an extended period of time

What is the main characteristic of a longitudinal study?

It is conducted in a controlled environment

It involves the analysis of historical records

It studies the same subjects over a period of time

It provides a snapshot of data at one moment in time

Which of the following best describes a case study research method?

A method that involves the statistical analysis of data collected from polls or surveys

A comprehensive examination of a single instance or event in a detailed and contextual manner

A study that focuses on the relationship between two or more variables without manipulating them

A method that tests hypotheses under controlled conditions

What distinguishes a quasi-experimental design from a true experimental design?

Quasi-experimental designs do not include any manipulation of variables

Quasi-experimental designs do not use random assignment to groups

Quasi-experimental designs can establish stronger causal relationships

Quasi-experimental designs are only used in natural settings

In the context of survey research, what is a Likert scale?

A method for randomly selecting participants

A statistical test for analyzing survey data

A scale for measuring attitudes by asking respondents their degree of agreement with statements

A tool for ensuring the anonymity of responses

#10

In research methodology, what does 'external validity' refer to?

The extent to which the results can be generalized to other contexts

The accuracy of the measurement tools

The control of external variables in an experimental design

The reliability of the experimental results over time

#11

Mixed methods research involves:

Using only qualitative data for a comprehensive understanding of a problem

Using only quantitative data to ensure statistical significance

Combining both qualitative and quantitative research methods and data

Repeating the same experiment multiple times to ensure reliability

#12

Content analysis is a research method that:

Involves the statistical analysis of numerical data

Is used to analyze the content of communication, such as texts or media

Requires conducting experiments in a lab setting

Focuses on the physical behaviors of subjects without considering context

#13

Grounded theory is a research method that:

Is primarily used for testing hypotheses that are grounded in existing theory

Involves the development of theories based on the data collected from the research

Requires the use of statistical methods to ground the findings in numerical data

Focuses on grounding the research in historical contexts

#14

Which of the following best describes the Delphi method?

A quantitative research method that involves large-scale surveys

A qualitative research method focusing on the systematic observation of social phenomena

A method used to reach a consensus among a group of experts through a series of questionnaires

An experimental technique that involves the manipulation of variables in a controlled environment

#15

Meta-analysis is a research method used to:

Analyze data from a single study in great detail

Collect and analyze qualitative data from interviews

Conduct experiments in natural settings

Aggregate and synthesize results from multiple studies on a topic