This document discusses quantitative research methodology and survey tools for collecting data. It proposes studying how often smartphone users purchase apps that cost more than $0.99. A questionnaire is designed with questions about demographics, mobile phone usage, and app purchasing behaviors. The experience of completing the survey as a participant is described as straightforward with simple, non-invasive questions that took 5-8 minutes. Both online and in-person data collection are discussed, with in-person favored for obtaining a more representative sample and informed insights.

1. Running head: BeathardAPSY7106-8
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BeathardAPSY7106-8
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Week 8 Assignment
Quantitative analysis as research methodology takes into
account variables that are measurable and thus definitive in the
way there is an empirical investigation. Therefore, there is a
statistical element and definition of techniques in place in the
valuation of impact. There are ways in which information in this
type of study can be achieved. The data collection is important
as it dictates the type of statistical tools that are best suited for
this kind of study (Nardi, 2018). For this paper, the survey tool
that would be used in the collection of data is a questionnaire.
Comment by JB: nice intro as usual :)
The Topic
By consideration of this, looking at something that is taken to
be a general public issue and an impact on the majority.
Technology has been a key aspect in the development of means
of communication, however, there is also the fact that
communication evolution has also led to the increase in the
socio-economic value of means of communication. Therefore,
having a smartphone comes at its costs depending on an

2. individual’s priority. This raises the question of how often do
you buy smartphone apps that cost more than $0.99?
Comment by JB: rework all prounons to what you mean
exactly Comment by JB: interesting! most sentences will be
cited though for the final paper.
Variable that could be Researched Quantitatively
Raises the question give a sense of achievability in terms of the
quantitative value and thus a way in which there can be
accountability in terms of numbers. Facts and evidence during
collection have to be central in defining a specific variable. By
determination of this variable, it is easier to understand the
types of question to be asked in the survey and where the focus
should be emphasized. Therefore, for this question, the variable
is the number of mobile apps bought. The instrument to measure
this variable includes questionnaires, checklists, interview, and
observation (Vellone, 2000). Comment by JB: maybe a word
missing here? Comment by JB: add in some citations of
researchers calling for this research - it will be important to
justify your doing such a study :) I like it though!!
Population/Demographic
The most elemental question is based on a commodity that can
only be found in one type of technology, the chosen
demographic is smartphone users. They fit all the criteria
necessary as they are the ones in need of a mobile application
for most functions. Despite the fact that there is a chosen
population, it is important to narrow down the fact that priority
is important for different people. Therefore, there is diverse
usage of the phones and thus a further narrowing must be
considered in the fact that some smartphone users do not
necessarily use it for any other options rather than to call and
receive messages.
While looking at the characteristics of these users the most
notable will be those who can be a focus on different mobile
application and social media. This allows the identification of
the methodologies to reach them and thus definitive pathways to
take in the collection of data. The approach to be taken in this

3. case in collaboration with different application owners and
developers to reach out to their audience for a survey. At the
same time, there can also be consideration of recruitment of
participants. By this account, the approach would slightly
different in that there would be a need to identify the target
population by other characteristics such as the likelihood of
smartphone ownership, mixed population, and age groups
through an exclusion inclusion criteria which allows a form of
grouping (Hagan, 2014).
Research Questionnaire Created and Answered (Answers are
bold and underlined)
Section I: Personal Information
1. Gender/Sex
Running head: SURVEY TOOLS
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SURVEY TOOLS
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2.
· Female
· Male
· Other
3. Marital Status Comment by JB: when asking participants
questions we don't want to ask anything that is potentially
sensitive if we aren't going to analyze that data. You can ask
non personal things (I think marital status/gender/age is okay)
for your demographic section - to describe the sample, but
nothing too personal if you aren't going to analyze it. From the
RQ above it looks like you are just analyzing data about the
number of mobil apps bought (no relationships between these
things and that).
4.
· Married
· Single

4. 5. Age Group
6.
· 16 - 24
· 24 – 30
· 30 - 40
· > 40
7. Education
8.
· University/ College Graduate
· High School
· Elementary Level
· Illiterate
9. Employment
10.
· Self Employed
· Salaried Professional
· Student
· Freelancer
11. Income Level (per month)
·
· < $1000
· $1000- $15000
· $15000-$30000
· > $30000
Section II: Mobile Phones
12. Which mobile phone you are using (Indicate)
Samsung J7
13. When did you buy this phone (month and year):
August 2017
14. What influenced you to buy a new phone
·

5. · The old one got lost
· New upcoming trend
· Needed Update on application support
· Old phone
15. How long did you last with your previous phone (years)
·
· < 1
· 1 - 2
· 2-4
· > 4
16. How many phone apps have you installed in your phone?
·
· 5-10
· 10-20
· 20-30
· Greater than 30
17. What percentage of those apps were bought?
·
· <5%
· 5% - 30%
· 30%- 50%
· >50%
18.
19. At what price would you buy a phone app?
20.
· Less than $0.99
· $0.99
· $1 - $3
· Greater than $3
21.
22. Is this the same price of money you have bought all your
apps?
23.

6. · Yes
· No
24. How many phone apps were those?
·
· <5
· 5-10
· 10-20
· >20
25. How often do you update your phone apps?
·
· Whenever there is an update
· Weekly
· Monthly
· Yearly
26. Do you buy new ones that are more advanced or wait for the
renewal of the already existing?
·
· Wait for a new version
· Buy a better version
27. How many apps do you buy a month?
·
· At least 3
· 3-5
· More than 5
· None
28. How do you decide which phone app to purchase?
·
· When someone famous has used and praised it
· When my friends suggest them
· When I see an advertisement
· When am looking for better quality

7. 29. What type of phone apps do you purchase more frequently?
·
· Games
· Photo editing Comment by JB: Fortunately you will not be
making an instrument for your NCU dissertation. NCU prefers
students using a quantitative method with a questionnaire for
data collection - use an already published and validated
instrument.
It is too hard/time consuming to run a pilot test before the
dissertation (which is needed when developing an instrument).
If you are going with this topic you might look for
questionnaires that exist in this area - I bet there are some!
· Video editing
· Social Media enhancements
Description of Experience
The questions were straight forward, easy to read and
understand. The simplicity of the research question made it easy
to grasp what it is that is required to answer. The questions
were noninvasive hence make it comfortable to truthfully
answer them. In addition, it was a quick survey which makes it
more time friendly as it could be completed in about five to
eight minutes.
Better Data Collection Strategy
Both in person and online data collection serve their purpose
and offer a variety of limitation and advantages. In person data
collection provides a chance for the determination of physical
and verbal cues hence inclusive of observation, there is focus
giving control to the researcher and offers a more in-depth
quality that may be used for inferences. However, they are also
limited as there is a restriction in the participants that one can
use, it becomes more costly, there is often manual data entry,
and the individuals are inconvenienced (Wright, 2005). On the
other hand, online data collection give a bigger pool of

8. participants, there is no limitation of the demographic,
convenience is on the user, its low cost, the design is flexible
depending on the site it is posted, and there can also be real-
time data collection for a big sample population. Comment by
JB: focus on only one method of data collection and one
instrument. decide which one for the signature assignment and
get into the details of how it would go - according to the
assignment instructions
However, the method is dependent on the availability of user
hence cannot work well with strict deadlines; the reliability of
data can be tricky due to the fact that there is on the
interviewer. Despite all that, in person survey is better due to
extent of representation which will give an insight into more
informed facts which are acceptable by the majority and can be
related to their experience (Szolnoki, & Hoffmann, 2013).
Comment by JB: good info! Some information is missing -
so be sure to read the assignment instructions very carefully for
the signature assignment. You will add that in for that
assignment.
First, search the Internet for free online survey tools such as
those found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/mp/survey-
templates and review the survey template examples (go to
Academic Surveys). Review the examples and compare two on
factors such as options, usability and determine the cost through
a service such as SurveyMonkey.
Second, determine a topic area that could be researched using a
quantitative measurement.
Third, determine a variable that could be measured using a
quantitative design.
Fourth, prepare a short four-item instrument that measures a
variable related to your selected topic area.
Fifth, identify your population of interest if you were to use
these tools to measure the selected variable. Explain how you

9. might most effectively reach participants to recruit to complete
your online instrument. Describe whether your approach would
differ if you were recruiting participants to complete the same
instrument in person.
Sixth, pretend that you are a participant. Complete the
instruments you have created. Describe your experience as a
participant with regard to factors, such as ease of readability,
and time to complete.
Finally, as an independent scholar, you will have to decide
which data-collection strategy is most appropriate, given the
problem statement, purpose, and research questions of the
study. Discuss the advantages and limitations of collecting data
online versus in person. Also, discuss possible topics that might
be better suited for online data collection as opposed to in
person.
for sure go into more detail on the yellow parts for the signature
assignment. Thank you!

10. I will grade what is here in response to the assigment :)
You did great :)
References
Hagan, T. (2014). Measurements in Quantitative Research: How
to Select and Report on Research Instruments. Oncology
nursing forum 41, 431-3. 10.1188/14.ONF.431-433.
Nardi, P. M. (2018). Doing Survey Research: A Guide To
Quantitative Methods. Place of publication not identified:
Routledge.
Szolnoki, G. & Hoffmann, D. (2013). Online, face-to-face and
telephone surveys—Comparing different sampling methods in
wine consumer research. Wine Economics and Policy 2, 2, 57-
66.
Vellone, E. (2000). Instruments for quantitative methods of
nursing research. Professioni Infermieristiche 53(1), 11-6.
Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11228871
Wright, K. B. (2005). Researching Internet-Based Populations:
Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Survey Research,
Online Questionnaire Authoring Software Packages, and Web
Survey Services. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication
10 (3). Retrieved from

11. https://academic.oup.com/jcmc/article/10/3/JCMC1034/4614509