This session is about how to collect quantitative data in empirical studies. While collecting quantitative data, researchers usually use questionnaires and/or other measurements. So, the most important skills in collecting quantitative data is to design or adopt (or adapt) questionnaires and/or other measurements. This session will discuss some skills related to these issues.

Because the PPT file is too big to be uploaded to the site, only some texts (outline of the slides) of the teacher's lecture are demonstrated as follows:

How Many Variables Can You Identify?
Illustration of Quantitative Compared with Categorical Variables
Categorical Variables
Research Involves the Study of Relationships Between Variables
Examples of Extraneous Variables
A Single Research Question Can Suggest Several Hypotheses
Directional vs. Nondirectional Hypotheses
Target vs. Accessible Populations
Representative vs. Nonrepresentative Samples
Part of a Table of Random Numbers
Random Sampling Methods
Convenience Sampling
Nonrandom Sampling Methods
Population as Opposed to Ecological Generalizing
Questionnaire Design
Kinds of Questions
Knowledge - What is the major cause of heart disease?
Beliefs, attitudes or opinions
Do you favor…/ In your opinion…/  Which do you believe…/ What do you consider
Behavior
Have you ever, how often do you, How do you currently, when did you last…
Attitudes (What people are, have, etc.)
Where do you currently live, how many cars do you own, what is your household income…
Questionnaire Wording
Simple but not condescending(太将就)
Avoid jargon(行话), acronyms(缩写) or foreign phrases
Be specific and clear
Phrase personal questions carefully
Avoid time consuming questions
Use mutually exclusive categories
Avoid assumptions
Wording (cont.)
Avoid bias
Charged language
Responses
Questions
Avoid multiple questions
Use clear/logical response categories
Types of Questions
Open Ended
Closed Ended – with one or a small set of desired responses
Two choice
One best answer
Scaled questions – (odd or even # of categories?)
Check all…
Matching
Ranking (Question form and selection driven by your design)
Formatting
Include an introduction
Start easy
Smooth flow
Demographics at the end
Easy to read font
Consistent (vertical) scales
Pre-code as many responses as possible
Retain adequate “white space”
Excerpt from a Graphic Rating Scale
Examples of Items from a Likert Scale Measuring Attitude toward Teacher Empowerment
Example of the Semantic Differential
Part of a Checklist
Sample Items from the Picture Situation Inventory
Example of a Self-Checklist
More About Research: Some Tips About Developing Your Own Instrument
Four Types of Measurement Scales
An Ordinal Scale: The Winner of a Horse Race
Illustration of Types of Evidence of Validity
Reliability and Validity
Methods of Checking Validity and Reliability