Research

Assignment

Mohamed Farah Mohamed

Q1. Define the following concepts

a. Research is an organizing and systematic way of finding answers to questions

b. Objectives describe concisely what the research is trying to achieve
c. Population is complete set of people with a specialized set of characteristics
d. Sample is subset of population which takes part in study and represent to population
e. Census is study of every unit, every one or everything in a population
f. Element is a unit of analysis about which data is collected and that forms basis of analysis

Q2. Differentiate between

a. Dependents variables is a variable being tested and measured scientific experiments or

are a variable that show the effect of
manipulating or introducing the independent variables

Independent variables are the variable that changed or controlled and manipulated or are
variables those the researcher has control over.

b. Basic research is a research approach that is entirely theoretical and aimed at improving or
expending knowledge-base of a particular field of stud

Applied research is a research designed to focus providing practical solution to specific

problem.
c. Specific objectives are detailed objectives that describes what will be researched
during the study
General objectives are a much broader statement about what the aims to achieve overall.
d. Cross-sectional survey this is when data collected at the point in time
Longitudinal survey this is when data is collected over a period of time

e. Sampling error is one which occurs due to unrepresentativeness of the sample

selected for observation.
Non-sampling error is an error arise from human error, such as error in problem
identification, method or procedure used etc.

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 f. Target population is all members of a real or hypothetical of people, events or objects
to which the researcher wish to generalize the result of the research.

Accessible population is a part or subset of target population that researcher can actually
reach, and from which the researcher actually draws a sample.

Q3. What are three main goals of research?

(1) verification of existing knowledge

(2) Gaining of new knowledge

(3) Application of new knowledge

Q4. Give any five key things that indicates the has been well chosen?

(1) Personal interest in the topic

(2) Cost

(3) Importance of the research

(4) Time available

(5) Researcher skills

Q5. What are the main sources of research?

a. Personal experience

b. Needs of Assessments

c. Existing theory

d. existing literature.

Q6. What is the scientific research? And discuss how scientific method are different from
non-method?

Scientific research is the systematic investigation of Scientific theories and hypothesis.

Scientific method is a logically stepped process use for investigation and acquiring or
expanding understanding.

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 Non-specific methods rely on tradition, personal experience intuition, logic and authority to
arrive at conclusion.

Q7. What are the critical steps in undertaken a research (research process)?

(1) Identifying a research problem

(2) Reviewing the literature

(3) Specifying a purpose of research

(4) collecting data

(5) Analyzing and interpreting the data

(6) Reporting and evaluating research

Q8. Before undertaken any step, there are key things that need to be taken into a
cognizance. Give and describe them?

(1) cost of research

(2) Personal interest to topic

(3) researcher skill

(4) importance of research

Q9. Discuss three things you would to identify a research topic?

(1) dependent variable DV

(2) independent variable IV
(3) target population

Q10. Research problem different from general problems in three important ways, to
separate the two problems a research should answer 3 basic questions. What are these
questions?

(1) is the discrepancy between the deal and the actual?

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 (2) is the discrepancy understood?

(3) are there possible and reasonable solution?

Q11. Mention four main function of research objectives?

(1) Research focus

(2) Scope

(3) Selection bases

(4) Evaluation

Q12. Briefly give describe different types of variables?

1)Dependent variables are a variable that show the effect of

manipulating or introducing the independent variables

2) Independent variables are variables those the researcher has control over.

3)Control/constant variables is an extraneous variable whose effect on the dependent variable has
been held constant, neutralized/balanced or eliminated.

4)Extraneous variables are actually undesirable independent variables which the researcher does
not wish to investigate at the moment

5)Mediator variables are a variable that effects the relationship between dependent and
independent variables, but does not have direct role in the case-effect relationship.

6)Moderating variable is one which has a strong contingent/conditional effect on the relationship
between dependent and independent variables.

7)Continuous variable is a variable that can take unlimited number of values between any two
points.

8)Discrete variables are a variable whose individual values fall on scale with distinct gaps.

9)Dummy variables these are variables created by re-coding categorial variables that have more
categories into a series of binary variables.

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Q13. A researcher is interested in understanding the factors which lead to happiness. After
a conducting a survey, she finds happiness is largely determined by having a moderate
number of close friends.

In her study, “happiness” is what?

Happiness is dependent variable

Q14. Describe the difference between probability and non-probability sampling method
and mention the advantage and disadvantage of each ofem.

Probability sampling is a sampling method that based on the fact that every member of a
population has known as equal chance of being selected, also called random sampling

Advantages

 Cost effective
 Involves lesser degree of judgement
 Comparatively easier way of sampling
 Less time consuming

Disadvantages

 Redundant
 Monotonous work

Non probability sampling is a sampling technique where the samples are gathered in a process
that every member of a population has not equal chance of being selected.

Advantages

 It is quick and convenient.

 It is relatively in expensive.
 It does not require survey frame

Disadvantages

 Excessive dependency on judgment

 Needs much purpose-oriented pollsters

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  Focuses on simplicity over effectiveness

Q15. Mention three advantages of sampling?

1) it cost less

2) takes less time

3) data are attained quickly

Q16. State three qualities of good sampling

1) Representativeness

2) Adequate

3) Accurate

Q17. Define the sampling process?

Sampling process is a process which define the population of concern, determine sampling
method, specify the sampling frame and determine the sample size.

Q18. Dr ahmed wants to conduct a study on why university students miss classes. He
contacts gollis university and selects 500 students from the register to participate in his
study.

A) What is the target population?

target population are gollis university

b) what is the accessible population?

accessible population are 500

c) what is the sampling frame?

sampling frame and accessible population are same = 500

d) what is the sample?

sample are 500

Q19.list the various types of probability and non-probability sampling?

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 Types of Probability sampling

 Cluster sampling
 Simple random sampling
 Systematic sampling
 Stratified sampling

Types of non-probability sampling

 Purposive or judgmental sampling

 Quota sampling
 Snowball sampling
 Accidental or convenience sampling

Q20. Differentiate between sample and sampling?

sample is a subset of population or is a small portion selected from target population used to
determine thrush about that population.

Sampling is a process of selecting number of individuals for a study in such a way that
individuals represent the larger group from which they were selected.

Q21.Nimco determines her respondents by asking as to who would most suited for her
study. Through this, she is referred from one respondent to the other. What type of non-
probability sampling has been utilized?

Purposive or judgement sampling

Q22. Omer is trying to gather data for his study. He goes to a fast-food restaurant during
the launch hour and ask people who walk into restaurant if they would be willing to fill out
a questionnaire. Which method of sampling is omer using?

Probability sampling

Q23. What is the of non-probability sampling where the required sample and sample per
stratum is determined and complied, how ever it lacks randomization in the selection of the
respondents for the study?

Quota sampling
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Q24. What is the sampling technique used in qualitative research where in the researcher
chooses individuals who are easily accessible to become respondents for the study?

convenience or accidental sampling

Q25. Define data collection and list different method of data collection?

Data collection is the process of gathering requiring information from sample.

Types of data collection

A. questionnaire

B. interview

C. observation

D. document analysis

Q26. There are two sources of data primary and secondary. Define them?

(1) primary data are those which are collected a fresh and for a first time.

(2) secondary data is data collected by some one else for some other purpose.

Q27. What are three types or formats of questionnaires used in research?

A) structured

B) unstructured

C) semi-structured

Q28. Close-ended(force-response) items take different forms. Mention them?

(1) ranking order

(2) multiple choice

(3) rating scale item

Q29. Define observation?

Observation is a watching carefully or a systematic process of recording the behavioral patterns

of people with out questioning or communicating with them.

Q30. Differentiate between participant and non-participant?

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 A) participant is observation that investigator actively participate in the activities of the group to
be observed.

b) non-participant is observation that investigator observes the behavior of other persons in

natural setting but does not participate the activities of the group to be observed.

Reference google and slides.