Posted: December 4th, 2013

Quantitative methods

In the section, you will explore quantitative research methods. Quantitative methods use data collected in the research to support the hypothesis. Researcher often use quantitative methods when the data has been collected using a survey or instrument such as a questionnaire. Test scores and other forms of data collected for other purposes can also be used in a quantitative study. 

Required Reading:
Please refer to each Activity for required readings.

Assignment 4  Paper- Survey Data Collection and Conducting Research on the Internet 
Application of Survey Research:
Researchers spend years of study to learn the nuances of instrument development. Survey development is a challenging endeavor that involves pilot testing, statistical analysis, and may involve factor analysis and inter-item reliability analysis. These statistical analyses help establish psychometric properties that demonstrate instrument reliability and validity.
Click here for more on this paper>>>>
An alternative to instrument development is the use of pre-existing measures that contain established psychometric properties. The Library link in the required readings of this Activity provides sources for established (valid and reliable) instruments (surveys). It is important that researchers develop a strong understanding of instrument validity and reliability regardless of whether they build their own survey, modify a pre-existing survey, or utilize a pre-existing survey in its totality. 

With the advent of the internet, now there are a number of survey data collection tools, including sampling resources, surveys, and tools that assist researchers in increasing survey response rate, which facilitate reducing non-response bias. 

Below provides resources on internet data collection. 

• Best, S. J., & Krueger, B. S. (2004). Internet Data Collection. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. 

• Birnbaum, M. H. (2000). Introduction to Behavioral Research on the Internet. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. 

• Birnbaum, M. H. (Ed.). (2000). Psychological Experiments on the Internet. San Diego, CA: Academic Press. 

• Fraley, R. C. (2004). How to Conduct Behavioral Research over the Internet: A Beginner’s Guide to HTML and CGI/Perl. New York: Guilford Press. 

• Hewson, C., Yule, P., Laurent, D., & Vogel, C. (2003). Internet Research Methods: A Practical Guide fo
r the Social and Behavioural Sciences. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. 

• Jones, S. (Ed.). (1999). Doing Internet Research: Critical Issues and Methods for Examining the Net. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. 
Click here for more on this paper>>>>
• Schonlau, M., Fricker, R. D., Jr., & Elliott, M. N. (2002). Conducting Research Surveys Via E-Mail and the Web. Santa Monica, CA: Rand. 

In addition, if you decide to pursue survey development as part of your research at Northcentral University, consider obtaining other resources to support your developing skills. 

Here is a link to another great resource:

http://srmo.sagepub.com/searchresults;jsessionid=D4CDBF4BFD0D7E4AF936C120E563587B?auth_0=Steve%20Jones&f_0=PEOPLEKEYID&o_0=AND&ont_0=T0-0-78&q_0=http://sagepub.com/srmo/ontology/P559 

Activity Resources
Trochim, W., & Donnelly, J. (2008). Chapters 9, 10
Creswell, J. W. (2009). Chapter 8
Cozby, P. C. (2012). Chapters 7, 8, 12, 13
Wright, K. B. (2005). Researching Internet-based populations: Advantages and disadvantages of online survey research, online questionnaire authoring software packages, and web survey services. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 10(3), article 11

Activity:
This activity provides an opportunity to use a survey creation tool, to practice internet data collection.

Prior to beginning your survey design, read the following article:
http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol10/issue3/wright.html


Then, visit the following links to learn more:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/mp/use-cases/education-surveys
http://www.surveymonkey.com/mp/tour/responsecollection 

Now, it is time to practice: Please sign up for Survey Monkey (you can obtain a free, limited account) and create a survey you might use in your own study. Visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/ to create your account. You will notice that you can create a variety of question types. Be creative and explore all of the options. Develop a survey of at least 10 different questions. Be sure to include both quantitative and qualitative survey questions. Send your mentor the link for your survey. 

Length: a ten (or more) item survey with both quantitative and qualitative survey questions. 

Your survey should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts that are presented in the course and provide new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Your response should reflect scholarly writing and current APA standards. 
Submit your survey link in the Cours
Click here for more on this paper>>>>