Exam

Study Aid for COMM 3023 Exam 3

Exam 3 will cover materials from Chapters 11-14.

Chapter 11 – Multiple Methods

1. What 2 strengths do experiments provide that are weaknesses of field research?

2. What 2 strengths are shared by experiments and surveys?

3. What are the 4 purposes of doing mixed methods research?

4. Know the 2 dimensions that allows us to describe mixed methods research designs.

5. What is the difference of taking a fixed vs. random effects model for doing a meta-analysis?

Chapter 12 – Quantitative Data Analysis

6. Know what it means to carry out dummy coding, wild-code checking, and listwise deletion.

7. When entering data in a matrix table, what do the rows and columns represent?

8. What measure of central tendency provides us with a true central value?

9. What measures of central tendency & variability are negatively impacted by outliers?

10. What is the definition of variance?

11. How is standard deviation related to the kurtosis for a distribution of scores?

12. What can the measures of central tendency tell us about the skewness for a data set?

13. Distinguish between a positively and a negatively skewed distribution of scores.

14. What % of scores falls within +/- 1 interval of standard deviation for a perfect curve?

15. Percentage distributions are useful for describing data at what level(s) of measurement?

16. How should we interpret the data when p<.05 when comparing 2 groups on an outcome?

17. What is the difference between Type 1 and Type II error?

18. What is the link between significance level & the 2 types of hypothesis testing errors?

19. What key similarity is shared by correlations and regressions?

20. Know the different types of correlations available and when are they used.

21. Know the general guidelines for interpreting the strength of the correlation coefficient.

22. The general regression line formula is Y=a+bx. Know what a and b represent.

23. What is the difference between a simple linear vs. multiple regression?

24. What are the two special forms of regressions and when are they used?

25. What do beta weights (or beta coefficients) provide us a measure of?

26. When should chi-square be used?

27. When should a t-test be used?

28. What is the difference between an independent-samples and a paired-samples t-test?

29. What is the difference between a one-tailed vs. a two-tailed t-test?

30. What is the standard error?

31. When should an ANOVA be used?

32. What is the difference between a one-way ANOVA, factorial ANOVA, and MANOVA?

33. What are the two variations of the regular ANOVA and when are they used?

34. What does the F-ratio compare?

35. What basic decision rule applies in deciding whether or not a hypothesis is supported?

Chapter 13 – Qualitative Data Analysis

36. What 3 steps are involved in the feedback loop of qualitative data analysis?

37. What are the 2 common types of error that occur during transcription of data?

38. What are the 3 different types of analytical memos?

39. What are the 4 types of data displays used for qualitative data?

40. What are the 4 ways for evaluating conclusions drawn based on qualitative data?

41. What does the constant comparative method entail within grounded theory?

42. What are the 3 types of coding used in grounded theory & when are they performed?

43. What are the 3 criteria needed to help identify themes within a thematic analysis?

44. What type of analysis could be used in conjunction with life history interviews?

Chapter 14 – Reading and Writing Research Reports

45. What are the 3 key steps prior to designing and preparing a research proposal?

46. What part of an article should be reviewed to judge its relevance for a literature review?

47. What does the practice of free writing refer to?

48. What part of research report addresses the question, “Why should I care?”

49. What are the different parts that make up the methods section of a research report?

50. What steps should be taken to ensure the final report is of high quality?