Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods : An Investigative Approach

by Mark Balnaves

• ISBN13: 9780761968030
• ISBN10: 0761968032
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781446223284
• Edition: CD
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-06-04
• Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd
• More Book Details

Summary

Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods is a student-friendly introduction to quantitative research methods and basic statistics. It uses a detective theme throughout the text and in multimedia courseware to show how quantitative methods have been used to solve real-life problems. The book focuses on principles and techniques that are appropriate to introductory level courses in media, psychology and sociology. Examples and illustrations are drawn from historical and contemporary research in the social sciences. The multimedia courseware provides tutorial work on sampling, basic statistics, and techniques for seeking information from databases and other sources. The statistics modules can be used as either part of a detective games or directly in teaching and learning. Brief video lessons in SPSS, using real datasets, are also a feature of the CD-ROM.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	xiii
Permissions	xiv
Order at all Points: Counting and accounting	1	(9)
The Ql-Qt Continuum	1	(4)
Culture and the Reliability of `Data'	5	(3)
References	8	(2)
Starting the Inquiry: `But what happened then?'	10	(23)
Knowing What to Research	16	(5)
Exploration, Description and Explanation	16	(4)
Topics of Research	20	(1)
Knowing Whom to Research	21	(1)
Units of Analysis	21	(1)
Knowing How to Research	22	(3)
Literature Review	22	(3)
Secondary Analysis	25	(1)
Knowing When to Research	25	(2)
The Importance of Time	25	(2)
Research design	27	(1)
Summary	27	(2)
The Statistical Inquirer	29	(1)
Main Points	29	(1)
Review Exercises	30	(1)
References	31	(2)
Defining the Inquiry: `Then how do you know?'	33	(31)
Tools of Methodology	34	(10)
Styles of Reasoning (deduction, induction and abduction)	36	(4)
Causality	40	(1)
Mapping Relationships	41	(3)
Tools of Measurement	44	(7)
What are Variables?	45	(3)
Operational Definitions	48	(2)
Contemporary Views on Measurement	50	(1)
Great Sociological Detective Stories: Collecting Data Across Cultures: Can we measure cultural variation? Culture's Consequences (Geert Hofstede)	51	(8)
Methodology and Theory	52	(1)
Method	53	(1)
Hypotheses and Operationalization	53	(2)
Variables	55	(1)
Individualism and Masculinity	55	(1)
Power Distance	56	(1)
Uncertainty Avoidance	57	(2)
Summary	59	(2)
Main Points	61	(1)
Review Exercises	61	(1)
References	62	(2)
Methods of Inquiry: `It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data!'	64	(45)
Involvement and Method	65	(2)
Experimental Design	67	(8)
Different Types of Experimental Design	74	(1)
Survey Design	75	(12)
What is a Survey?	76	(1)
The Variable in Question	77	(1)
Nominal Variables/Questions	77	(1)
Ordinal Variables/Questions	78	(1)
Interval Variables/Questions	78	(1)
Ratio Variables/Questions	79	(1)
Multiple-Item Scales	79	(1)
Differential Scales	79	(1)
Cumulative Scales	80	(1)
Summative Scales	80	(1)
The Words in the Question	81	(3)
Administering the Questionnaire	84	(1)
Layout	84	(1)
Length of Questionnaire	85	(1)
Interview as Measurement	86	(1)
Validity	87	(3)
External Validity and Sampling	90	(6)
Population and Sampling Frame	91	(1)
Simple Random Sampling	91	(1)
Stratified Random Sampling	92	(1)
Multi-Stage Cluster Sampling	92	(1)
Sample Size	93	(2)
Non-Probability Sampling	95	(1)
Trade-Offs	95	(1)
Triangulation	95	(1)
Great Media and Politics Detective Stories: Using Survey Data. Do media change people's political attitudes? The People's Choice (Paul Lazarsfeld)	96	(7)
Methodology and Theory	97	(1)
Method	98	(1)
Hypotheses and Operationalization	98	(2)
Variables	100	(3)
Summary	103	(2)
Main Points	105	(1)
Review Exercises	106	(1)
References	106	(3)
`Data! Data! Data!': Analysing data from the inquiry	109	(38)
Looking at the Clues: The Statistical Sleuth	109	(1)
Why Explore Data?	110	(1)
Plotting Data	110	(12)
Stem and Leaf Displays	110	(1)
Stem and leaf display	111	(2)
Histograms	113	(2)
Boxplots	115	(3)
Tables, Graphs and Figures	118	(2)
Does a Picture Always Paint a Thousand Words? Some issues with representing data in graphical and tabular form	120	(2)
Using SPSS and Excel to Plot Data: Accounting for Tastes dataset	122	(10)
Methodology and Operationalization	123	(1)
Working with SPSS	124	(7)
Working with Excel	131	(1)
Describing Data	132	(6)
Numerical Summaries: What are they and why are they important?	132	(1)
Describing Location or Centrality	133	(1)
Some Notation	133	(1)
Calculating the median of odd and even numbered distributions	134	(1)
Mean vs Median (When is the evidence not contaminated?)	134	(1)
Describing Variability	135	(2)
Calculating the variance of a set of values	137	(1)
Using SPSS and Excel to Decribe Data	138	(4)
Working with SPSS	138	(2)
Working with Excel	140	(2)
Summary	142	(1)
Main Points	143	(1)
Review Exercises	144	(1)
References	145	(2)
Finding Answers from the Inquiry: `Elementary, my dear Watson!'	147	(82)
Looking at Bivariate Data, Correlation and Regression	149	(14)
Plotting Bivariate Data	149	(2)
Correlation: a Measure of Co-Relation	151	(3)
Computing the correlation coefficient	154	(2)
Introduction to Simple Linear Regression	156	(1)
Prediction and Correlation	156	(1)
Method of Least Squares	157	(2)
Finding the regression line	159	(1)
Assessing the Fit of the Regression Model	160	(1)
Issue of Causation	161	(2)
Using SPSS: Correlation and Regression	163	(8)
Using Excel	168	(3)
Looking at Categorical Data	171	(1)
Exploring Bivariate Categorical Data	171	(4)
Computing the contingency coefficient	174	(1)
Inference: From Samples to Populations	175	(21)
Parameters, Estimates and Statistics	176	(1)
Sampling Distributions	177	(3)
Hypothesis Testing - Don't just show me the evidence, convince me that it is so!	180	(1)
One-Sample Tests	180	(3)
One-Sample Test for Categorical Data	183	(2)
Two-Sample Tests	185	(1)
Test of Equality of Means for Independent Samples	185	(1)
t-test for independent samples	186	(3)
Rank Test for Independent Samples	189	(1)
Rank test for two independent groups	190	(1)
Tests for Categorical Data	191	(2)
Tests for Related Samples	193	(2)
Rank Test for Correlated or Related Samples	195	(1)
Using SPSS and Excel: One-Sample Tests	196	(5)
Using SPSS and Excel: Two-Sample Tests	201	(10)
Introduction to Randomization Tests	211	(2)
Great Social Biology Detective Stories: `We must hunt for cases'	213	(10)
Is There An Ideal Person?: Quetelet, Galton, Pearson	214	(1)
Does a General Intelligence Factor Exist?: Spearman and the introduction of correlation	215	(2)
Is There a Genetic Component to Intelligence? Did Burt clone the data? - data ain't always data!!	217	(1)
Are Social Factors More Important than Individual Inclinations? Durkheim's study on suicide (The use of secondary data)	218	(5)
Summary	223	(1)
Main Points	224	(1)
Review Exercises	225	(2)
References	227	(2)
Summarizing and Presenting Results: `Quite so!'	229	(8)
Reporting Empirical Research	232	(4)
Writing Style, Narrative Style	234	(1)
Detection and Deception	235	(1)
References	236	(1)
Appendix I: Sample Letter for Informed Consent	237	(2)
Appendix II: BSA Statement of Ethical Practice	239	(7)
Appendix III: The Statistical Inquirer	246	(3)
Index	249