PSYC 510DESCRIPTIVE METHODS ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
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 Learn section before completing this Homework:
Descriptive Methods Assignment. This Homework: Descriptive Methods Assignment 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.
o Example: HW3_JohnDoe_510B01
Make sure to check the Homework Grading Rubric before you begin this 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.
2.
Describe a population you would like
to work with after earning your
graduate degree in psychology.
Describe a stratified sampling
technique you could use to reflect your
target population identified in the first
ANSWER
ANSWER
Page 1 of 4
PSYC 510
3.
4.
5.
question. (Explicitly state the strata and
list at least two subsamples of that
strata). Do NOT use any examples
from this week.
Describe a cluster sampling technique ANSWER
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.
How are stratified and cluster sampling ANSWER
techniques similar?
How are stratified and cluster sampling ANSWER
techniques different?
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.
7.
8.
9.
What specific type of observational method would be best?
Why?
Describe a potential expectancy effect that could impact
the results of this study.
Describe THREE items you would include as a static
if you were to conduct this study using a checklist. Make
sure you clearly define each item.
Describe THREE items you would include as action items
if you were to conduct this study using a checklist. Make
sure you clearly define each item.
ANSWER
ANSWER
ANSWER
ANSWER
This section requires you to apply information related to “Survey Methods” in your required reading.
10. Explain the difference between a loaded question and a leading question.
ANSWER
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 2 of 4
PSYC 510
ANSWER
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
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
This section requires you to evaluate qualitative vs. quantitative research methods.
14. Describe two advantages / strengths of
ANSWER
qualitative research.
15. Briefly describe the three basic phases
ANSWER
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.
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.
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.
Page 3 of 4
PSYC 510
Using information from previous modules, answer the following:
16.
What are the three major goals of research?
17.
If you want to identify the scale of measurement for a variable ANSWER
in SPSS, would you do that in the Data View or Variable
View?
Create operational definitions for “Success” using two
ANSWER
different scales of measurement. Make sure to identify the
scale of measurement for each definition!
18.
ANSWER
Submit this assignment by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of Module 3. Remember to name file
appropriately.
Done!
Page 4 of 4
