Chapter 13

Data Collection in Quantitative

Research

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Question #1

Tell whether the following statement is true or false:

For unstructured data, researchers use formal data

collection instruments that place constraints on
those collecting data and those providing them.

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Answer to Question #1

False

For structured data, not unstructured data,

researchers use formal data collection instruments
that place constraints on those collecting data and
those providing them.

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Data Collection Plan
Structured data:
o Formal data collection instruments
o Constraints
 Collection
 Providing

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Early Steps in Data Collection Plan
Identification prioritization of data needs
Measures of variables
Selection existing instruments
o Conceptual stability
o Data quality
o Cost
o Population appropriateness
o Reputation

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Question #2

Tell whether the following statement is true or false:

Open-ended questions permit respondents to reply in

narrative fashion.

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Answer to Question #2

True

Open-ended questions permit respondents to reply in

narrative fashion, whereas closed-ended (or fixed-
alternative) questions offer response alternatives
from which respondents must choose.

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Structured Self-Report Instruments
Interview schedules
Questionnaires
Open-ended questions
Closed-ended questions

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Question #3

Which type of closed-ended question have several

questions with the same response format?
A. Forced choice
B. Rating
C. Checklist
D. Visual analog scale

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Answer to Question #3

Forced-choice questions require respondents to

choose between two competing positions, rating
questions ask respondents to make judgments along
a bipolar dimension, checklists have several
questions with the same response format, and visual
analog scales (VASs) are continually used to
measure subjective experiences.

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Closed-Ended Questions
Dichotomous
Multiple choice
Rank order
Forced choice
Rating
Checklists
Visual analog scales

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Likert Scale

Summated rating scale

Series of statements about a phenomenon
Indicate degree of agreement or disagreement
Total score is computed by summing item scores,
each of which is scored for the intensity and
direction of favorability.

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Semantic Differentials
Bipolar rating scales
Indicate reactions toward a phenomenon
Measure:
o Evaluative
o Activity
o Potency

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Q Sort
Set of card statements into piles
Specified criteria
Measure:
o Attitudes
o Personality
o Psychological traits

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Vignettes
Brief descriptions of event
Asked to react to events
Assess respondents:
o Perceptions
o Hypothetical behaviors
o Decisions

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Question #4

Tell whether the following statement is true or false:

Interviews are less costly and time-consuming than

questionnaires.

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Answer to Question #4

False

Questionnaires are less costly and time-consuming

than interviews.

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Questionnaires
Less costly
Less time-consuming
Anonymity
No risk of interviewer bias
Group administration
o Most economical
Mail: low response rate
Web-based survey

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Interviews
Higher response rate
Wider variety of people
Richer data
Data quality
o Interpersonal skills
o Ease and build rapport
o Probing

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Structured Self-Reports
Response set biases
Common responses
o Social desirability
o Extreme response
o Acquiescence

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Checklists
Occurrence or frequency
Category systems

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Rating Scales
Rate phenomena
Dimension typically bipolar
Made at specific intervals or after observations are
complete

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Sampling

Time sampling involves the specification of the

duration and frequency of observational periods and
intersession intervals.
Event sampling selects integral behaviors or
events of a special type for observation.

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Observer Biases
Enhancement of contrast effect
Central tendency bias
Halo effect
Assimilatory biases
Errors of leniency
Errors of severity

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Biophysiologic Measures
In vivo
In vitro
Objective
Accurate
Precise

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