PSYC 510
DESCRIPTIVE M AETHODS SSIGNMENT NSTRUCTIONS I
OVERVIEW
This Homework: Descriptive Methods Assignment is designed to assess your understanding of
the concepts and applications covered thus far in this course. In this particular module, you have
learned about more introductory concepts for the least powerful of research designs – descriptive
methods.
INSTRUCTIONS
Be sure you have reviewed this module’s before completing this Learn section Homework:
Descriptive Methods Assignment Descriptive Methods Assignment. This Homework: is
worth 60 points. Each question is worth 3 points each. Six points are awarded for
mechanics/structure.
Part I contains general concepts from this module’s . Learn section
Part II requires use of SPSS. You have a break this module from new SPSS concepts!
Part III is the cumulative section. These may include short answer and/or use of SPSS but
will review material from previous module(s).
Directions for each subsection are provided in the top of each table (in the gray shaded
areas). Answers should be placed where indicated (wherever there is “ ”). ANSWER
Submit the file as a WORD document (.doc or .docx). Make sure the filename of your
submission includes your full name, course and section.
oExample: HW3_JohnDoe_510B01
Make sure to check the before you begin this Homework Grading Rubric Homework:
Descriptive Methods Assignment.
Part I: General Concepts
These questions are based on the concepts covered in this
module’s assigned readings and presentations.
Apply concepts from this week to answer each of the following questions about populations and
samples.
1. Describe a you would like population
to work with after earning your
graduate degree in psychology.
ANSWER
I would like to work with the Aboriginal and Torres Straits
slander community after earning my graduate degree in
psychology.
2. Describe a stratified sampling ANSWER
Page 1 of 6
PSYC 510
technique you could use to reflect your
target population identified in the first
question. (Explicitly state the strata and
list at least two subsamples of that
strata). Do NOT use any examples
from this week.
A random stratified sampling technique can be used for the
target population. Two distinct sub strata or groups can be
identified in the target population. The first strata can be formed
based on gender. The second strata can be based on age. For
example, dividing the target population of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander into two sub-strata of gender and age will
aid in assessing the gender-based psychological issues and the
age-based experiences of people. The gender strata will be
divided into further substrates such as male, female and non-
binary while the age-based group will be divided as young (13-
24) and older (above 30).
3. Describe a cluster sampling technique
you could use to reflect your target
population identified in the first
question (NOT used in any examples
this week). Provide enough details so
that the sampling technique is
differentiated from others in your
assigned reading.
ANSWER
The cluster sampling method used for the target population will
aim at dividing the groups into various clusters for the ease of
sampling. The types of cluster sampling used can be single,
two-stage and multiple clusters. A multiple cluster sampling
technique will be used. The cluster formation will be formed
based on the geographical locations. The remote Australian
locations will be selected to form the cluster group, such as
South Australia and Victoria.
4. How are stratified and cluster sampling
techniques ? similar
ANSWER
The main similarity among the stratified sampling and cluster
sampling is that the groups or strata formed are distinct and do
not overlap with each other. Both sampling techniques are
conducted on one target group and based on the main target
group, the strata are made.
5. How are stratified and cluster sampling
techniques different?
ANSWER
The main similarity between stratified and cluster sampling is
that stratified sampling divides the strata evenly while
formations of clusters can be uneven. Researchers make
random selection in the clusters whereas stratified sampling the
unit is formed based on individual components.
A developmental researcher is concerned about the ecological validity when designing a study to investigate
whether group size and gender are related to magnitude of bullying behavior observed in five year-old
children.
6. What specific type of observational method would be best?
Why?
ANSWER
Participant observation would be a viable
option here as it focuses on the day to day
activities of the concerned participants. As
the researcher is trying to understand the
Page 2 of 6
PSYC 510
impact of size and gender towards a specific
topic, this method will provide more ideas
compared to the naturalistic observation
methods.
7. Describe a potential that could impact expectancy effect
the results of this study.
ANSWER
Participant observation would be a viable
option here as it focuses on the day to day
activities of the concerned participants. As
the researcher is trying to understand the
impact of size and gender towards a specific
topic, this method will provide more ideas
compared to the naturalistic observation
methods.
8. Describe THREE items you would include as a static
if you were to conduct this study using a . Make checklist
sure you clearly define each item.
ANSWER
The three items that can be termed as static
in this research are the location, the selected
population and the societal state of the
population. The location in this case is the
Australian region. The population selected
for the research is the Torres Strait
Aboriginal community and the societal state
is always constant in accordance with the
local culture.
9. Describe THREE items you would include as action items
if you were to conduct this study using a . Make checklist
sure you clearly define each item.
ANSWER
The three action items for this research can
be termed as the age of the participants, the
gender of the participants and the bullying
behaviour observed by the participants. All
these variables will have a specific impact
on the overall outcome of the study and
need to be assessed properly.
This section requires you to apply information related to “Survey Methods” in your required reading.
10
.
Explain the difference between a and a loaded question leading question.
ANSWER
Leading questions can be termed as the questions that lead people towards a specific answer in a fixed way.
Compared to that, loaded questions already have some fixed answers and they also push the user towards a
particular response. The main difference here can be termed as the assumptions present in both types of
questions.
11. Imagine that you are writing a survey on student perceptions of the food in the dining hall. Write one open-ended
question concerning quality of the food in the dining hall in the space below.
Page 3 of 6
PSYC 510
ANSWER Do you think that the taste of the vegetables used in the food could be improved in any way?
12
.
Imagine that you are writing a survey on student perceptions of the food in the dining hall. Write one close-ended
question concerning quality of the food in the dining hall in the space below.
ANSWER
Do you think that the food is overcooked?
13
.
What problem is with the following survey question? Then, rewrite it to eliminate that problem.
Survey question: Do you favor reducing the outrageous number of administrators in the federal government?
ANSWER
The survey question is instructing or influencing that may influence the responder’s opinion.
What is your opinion about reducing the outrageous number of administrators in the federal government?
This section requires you to evaluate qualitative vs. quantitative research methods.
14
.
Describe two advantages / strengths of
qualitative research.
ANSWER
The main advantages of qualitative research are:
1. It provides scope for comprehensive analysis
2. It is based on observations of human conduct and activity
patterns
15
.
Briefly describe the three basic phases
involved in a qualitative action
research study conducted to investigate
complaints of low morale in a
workplace. Make sure you relate each
phase to this particular scenario.
ANSWER
The three basic phases in qualitative action research are:
1. Identification of the issue/problem of the study: low morale
complaints in the workplace are related to the present mental
state of employees.
2. Collection of existing data on the topic: a literature review
and interview conducted for the employees of specific
organisations.
3. Analysis and interpretation of collected data: Analysing the
gathered responses to investigate the cause complaints related
to low morale.
Part II: SPSS
Application
These questions require
the use of SPSS. Remember
you must submit all of your
work within this word
document. You will need to
take a screen shot of your
data view if necessary, or
copy and paste your output
into the spaces below.
Page 4 of 6
PSYC 510
None for Module 3 – you will start using SPSS regularly NEXT MODULE!
Part III: Cumulative
These questions can be related to anything covered thus far in the
course.
Using information from previous modules, answer the following:
16. What are the three major goals of research? ANSWER
The first goal is to identify the influence
of identified factors on the sample
population. Second goal is to establish a
set of parameters that will increase the
viability of the research outcome.
Lastly, identify the factors that can alter
the research hypotheses.
17. If you want to identify the scale of measurement for a
variable in SPSS, would you do that in the Data View or
Variable View?
ANSWER
Data view
18. Create operational definitions for “Success” using two
different scales of measurement. Make sure to identify the
scale of measurement for each definition!
ANSWER
The two different scales are the success
variable and the measurement variable.
Submit this assignment by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of Module 3. Remember to name file
appropriately.
Page 5 of 6
PSYC 510
Done!
Page 6 of 6
