What are
Comparatives
and superlatives?
Comparatives
Comparative adjectives are
a special kind of adjective
that we use when we want
to compare one thing to
another. For example, we
can say that a banana is a
healthier food than a
cupcake because it better
exemplifies the qualities of
the adjective healthy.
Examples
I replaced my old
computer with a newer
one.
Their next car will be
faster and safer.
Superlatives
The words smart, funny and
happy, are all examples of
adjectives. Sometimes,
however, these adjectives
on their own are not enough.
By using superlative
adjectives, you can say that
joke was the funniest one
you ever heard or that smelly
shoe has the worst stench in
history.
Bears are hungriest
when waking up from
hibernation.
This essay was my
longest one yet.
Understanding
GENRE
Defining GENRE
The word genre came from the french word
that means 'category' or 'type'. It refers to
the ways that texts, such as literature, art or
media, are categorised based on their
content, form or style.
Understanding genre can help us
understand the texts themselves. Different
genres involve particular sets of
characteristics that are common or shared
features meaning that audiences will
develop certain expectations based on
genre.
It can be useful to group texts into
categories for the following reasons:
Authors can appeal to specific
audiences
Audiences want to seek out the types of
texts they enjoy
It gives us a way of organising and
making sense of texts
It distinguishes the way in which the text
is to be delivered e.g. read, performed,
delivered orally.
Genre of FORM
One way of thinking about genre is through
consideration of the form and structure of
the text. Some common genres of form we
might study in English class include
advertisement, biography, documentary,
essay, feature article, movie, novel, poem
and short story.
Genre of SUBJECT MATTER
This is a more common way of thinking about
genre and it focuses more on the content,
audience and intended effects of a text.
Some common genres of subject matter
include action, adventure, bildungsroman,
crime, drama, fantasy, horror, romance,
science fiction or western.
Characteristics and CONVENTIONS
For each of these genres of form or subject
matter there's a list of associated
conventions we can expect to see. It's
important to learn the conventions of each
form.
For example a feature article will have a
catchy title, synopsis, author byline,
subheadings, columns, tear out sections and
images. The western genre generally features
cowboys, outlaws, gun fights, the American
West, saloons, cacti, spurs and themes of the
frontier.
Sub-genres and HYBRID GENRES
A sub-genre is a specific category within a
genre. The main genres can be broken
down further into different categories. For
example poetry might include haiku, ballad
or sonnet. A hybrid genre blends the
features of two or more genres of subject
matter. For example romantic comedy,
crima drama or adventure sci-fi.
 Quantitative
What are the
KINDS
Descriptive design
It is used only to describe the person or
object of the study, or a particular
phenomenon, without experimental
manipulation or intervention.
Correlational design
It identifies the relationship between 2 or
more variables without manipulation, and
determine whether and to what degree are
they correlated: positively, negatively, or no
correlation at all.
Ex post facto design
It analyzes existing conditions or behaviors
in individuals or groups after they have been
exposed to a specific event or a situation,
without any manipulation by the researcher.
Quasi-experimental design
It is used to establish the cause-and-effect
relationship of variables, although it has
lesser validity compared to experimental
design because it does not use
randomization (random selection and
assignment of subjects).
Experimental design
It investigates the cause-and-effect
relationships between variables as the
researcher manipulates one or more
independent variables to observe and test
their impact on the dependent variables, all
while controlling other factors that could
influence the outcome.
Importance across
VARIOUS FIELDS
ANTRHROPOLOGY
Allows anthropologists to compare and analyze
cultural patterns, norms, and practices across
different societies, providing insights into human
diversity and universals.
Studies human evolution, population genetics, and
health disparities through statistical analysis of
skeletal and genetic data in biological
anthropology.
COMMUNICATION
Helps assess the impact of media content on
audiences, track media consumption patterns,
and inform media planning and content creation
strategies.
Enables communication professionals to gather
data on audience demographics, preferences, and
behavior, helping tailor messages to specific
target groups.
MEDICINE
Evidence from quantitative research studies is
often used by healthcare practitioners to
determine the optimal treatment approaches for
patients.
The development of new medications and
treatments involves rigorous quantitative
research to assess their effectiveness and
determine whether they are safe and beneficial.
What are its
STRENGTHS
Objectivity. By utilizing standardized data
collection methods quantitative research
minimizes bias and subjectivity, enhancing
the objectivity of the findings.
Replicability. Quantitative studies typically
rely on standardized procedures and tools,
thereby validating its findings, which in turn
increases the credibility and reliability of the
findings.
Numerical and Quantifiable Data.
It utilizes numerical data, providing high level
of precision, allowing a detailed analysis and
comparisons. This precision can be useful in
detecting small differences, variations,
patterns, or trends within data.
Generalizable data. It allows researchers to
draw conclusions about a general
population at large, simply based on the
data collected from a sample population.
Easy data analysis. Using statistical soft-
wares like SPSS and MS Excel, data analysis
is made easy due to its automation, speed,
accuracy, and user-friendly interfaces,
allowing researchers to efficiently process
and analyze complex and large datasets.
What are its
WEAKNESSES
Rigid and Inflexible data. It often uses “close
-ended” or fixed question with
predetermined response choices, which
may not fully capture the complexity of
participants' perspectives or experiences.
It requires a large number
Large sample size.
of participants, which can be expensive and
challenging due to lack or limited resources,
making it impractical or impossible for some
studies.
Costly. Collecting quantitative data, especial-
ly through large-scale surveys , can be
expensive in terms of participant
recruitment and compensation, data
collection, equipment, and licensing of
statistical software.
Difficulty gathering certain information.
Some types of information, such as in-depth
narratives or insights, can be challenging to
gather using structured research
instruments commonly associated with
quantitative research, like pre-marital sex
and domestic violence, or sensitive topics
like sexual orientation, mental health, sexual
assault, etc.
PSYCHOLOGY. Allows psychologists to measure and
quantify psychological constructs such as intelligence,
personality traits, and emotional states.
SOCIAL SCIENCE. Social scientists use quantitative
methods to make informed decisions about social
programs, education, healthcare, and other areas that
directly affect the well-being of communities.