Topic 1: Why Research?


These are the solutions for the Topic 1B Computer Lab.

1 Readings recap

1.1 The components of research

No solution required.

1.2 Qualitative and quantitative research

  1. This RQ does not require numerical summaries of the data. This RQ would be answered using a qualitative RQ.
  2. The RQ requires numerical summaries of the data: ‘What percentage….’ This RQ would be answered using a quantitative RQ.
  3. The RQ requires numerical summaries of the data: ‘What percentage….’ This RQ would be answered using a quantitative RQ.

2 Critical thinking

Is hugging your dog bad for your dog?

2.1

No solution required.

2.2

The video reports that dogs do not like being hugged because their stress and anxiety levels rise when they are hugged. The video reports that 80% of dogs studied showed at least one sign of stress when being hugged..

2.3

No solution required.

2.4

The source has not been provided.

2.5

  • A random sample of 250 pictures of dogs being hugged were sourced from an internet search.
  • The author of the article described a scoring system where each picture was scored as either 1 (dog showing signs of stress), 2 (dog relaxed and at ease), or 3 (dog’s response ambiguous or neutral). The article states that “researchers” scored the pictures, but it is unclear how many researchers there were, or how many researchers assessed each photo.
  • According to the article, 81.6% of dogs showed at least one sign of stress, compared with 80% reported in the news report.

2.6

  • Peer review involves other researchers, who were not involved in the study, reviewing the study and giving an opinion as to whether or not the study is sound and worthy of publication.
  • The study about dogs was not peer reviewed.
  • Yes. Although the author of the response acknowledges that the study still provides some useful information, they also raise concern about the design of the study, and lack of detail in it. Due to these reasons, they recommend that the study did not prove that dogs to not like hugs.

2.7

No solution required.

3 Referring to a research paper

3.1

No solution required.

3.2

  • From the study, from the bivariate analysis (i.e. only two variables), we can conclude that there was a significant association between recent use of potting mix and illness. From the analysis that included more variables (multivariate analysis), other significant predictors of illness were poor hand-washing practices after gardening, long-term smoking, and being near dripping hanging flower pots.
  • No solution required.

3.3

No solution required.


These notes have been prepared by Amanda Shaker. The copyright for the material in these notes resides with the authors named above, with the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and with La Trobe University. Copyright in this work is vested in La Trobe University including all La Trobe University branding and naming. Unless otherwise stated, material within this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-Non Derivatives License BY-NC-ND.