A Model of Empirical Research (Schwab, 2005)

Question 1

Variables

Answer 1

Characteristics of objects that can take on two or more values.

Question 2

Conceptual variable (also a construct)

Answer 2

A mental definition of an object or event that can vary.

Question 3

Operational variable

Answer 3

Variable with a measure to obtain scores from cases.

Question 4

Dependent variable

Answer 4

Research outcome; the consequence in a causal relationship.

Question 5

Independent variable

Answer 5

Variable that helps explain or predict a dependent variable; it is a cause in a causal relationship.

Question 6

Causal conceptual relationship

Answer 6

A relationship where variation in the independent construct is responsible for variation in the dependent construct.

Question 7

Hypothesis

Answer 7

An expected relationship between an independent and a dependent variable.

Question 8

Validity (basic definition)

Answer 8

In research, when a conclusion or inference is true.

Question 9

Verisimilitude

Answer 9

Having the appearance of truth. In research, validity is best thought of as verisimilitude.

Question 10

Empirical relationship

Answer 10

The correspondence between scores obtained from cases on measures.

Question 11

Internal validity

Answer 11

Present when variation in scores on a measure of an independent variable is responsible for variation in scores on a measure of a dependent variable.

Question 12

Internal validation

Answer 12

Methods used to determine whether internal validity is likely.

Question 13

Internal statistical validity

Answer 13

Present when an empirical relationship is not due to chance.

Question 14

Statistical validation

Answer 14

The use of probability theory to investigate internal statistical validity or statistical generalization validity.

Question 15

Theory

Answer 15

Provides a tentative explanation for why a causal relationship(s) obtains.

Question 16

Construct validity

Answer 16

Present when there is a high correspondence between cases’ scores on a measure and the mental definition of the construct the measure is designed to represent.

Question 17

Construct validation

Answer 17

Methods used to estimate a measure’s construct validity.

Question 18

Statistical generalization validity

Answer 18

Present when an empirical relationship observed on a
sample of cases provides a correct estimate of the relationship in the population of cases from which the sample was drawn.

Question 19

External validity

Answer 19

Present when findings obtained in a research study, other than statistical generalization, are correctly generalized.

Question 20

External validation

Answer 20

Methods used to estimate external validity.

Question 21

Meta-analysis

Answer 21

Procedures to review and evaluate prior research studies that depend on quantitative research methods.