2022 Introduction to Statistics in Research Mitchell 2nd ed

I N T R O T O R E S E A R C H : D A T A V I S U A L I Z A T I O N & C O M M O N S T A T T E S T S

Instructions form textbook author (Adams & McGuire)

These are the instructions from the textbook (p. 112). These instructions will be demonstrated during the webinar.

Study Example #1: Quantitative A questionnaire (survey) can be qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods. It just depends on how it is used. In Adams & McGuire (p.111), you will find a practice dataset of five questions with ten participants on global warming. Keep inmind, this number of participants is too small to be called a “study” but perhaps Adams & McGuire just wanted to keep it simple.

This practice dataset uses a Likert Scale with 1=Strongly Disagree, 2+ Disagree, 3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree, 4 = Agree, and 5 = Strongly agree.

Both positive and negative questions are included. Negative questions differ in direction from other items in the scale. Let’s look at the questions so this can make sense.

Practice Dataset Questions

Negative questions

Positive questions

1) Global warming is a major environmental problem. 2) The government should provide more incentives to companies that are working to address global warming. 3) The media portrays global warming as more serious than it really is. 4) We have plenty of time to address global warming. 5) Individuals have a responsibility to reduce global warming by conserving resources, recycling, and reducing wasteful behaviors.

As you read through these questions, do you notice that 1, 2, and 5 are positive and 3 and 4 are negative? Many researchers recommend that surveys should consider a balance (or equal attention) to positive and negative responses (Saris & Galhofer, 2014) with the assumption that participants will take the time to read each question and not just select “Strongly Agree” for every answer.

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