An Introduction to Research. Flashcards
Is imagination more important than knowledge?
It depends on whom you ask, and what you ask about, and when.
Name 5 Characteristics of research.
Systematic, Logical, Empirical, Reductive, Replicable.
Problems, methods, data, analysis, interpretations, conclusions is?
Systematic.
Others can evaluate conclusions drawn is?
Logical.
Conclusions based on date is?
Empirical.
Data used to establish general relationships is?
Reductive.
The research process is recorded and others can repeat or build on that research is?
Replicable.
What are the steps to the scientific method?
Step 1: Developing the Problem
- Identification of the independent and dependent variables.
- Independent variable: What the researcher is manipulating.
-Dependent variable: The effect of the independent variable
Step 2: Formulating the Hypothesis
- Hypothesis: The anticipated outcome of a study or experiment
Step 3: Gathering the Data
- Internal validity: Extent to which the results can be attributed to the treatments used in the study
- External validity: The generalizability of the results
For exploring and understanding meanings ascribed by individuals or groups is what kind of research?
Qualitative research.
For exploring and understanding meanings ascribed by individuals or groups is what kind of research?
Qualitative research.
For theory testing, describing status on variables, and looking at relations among variables is what of research?
Quantitative research.
For theory testing, describing status on variables, and looking at relations among variables is what of research?
Quantitative research.
Combines quantitative and qualitative forms is what kind of research?
Mixed methods research.
Combines quantitative and qualitative forms is what kind of research?
Mixed methods research.
What are Creswell (2009) four world views?
- Postpositivism
- Constructtivism
- Transformative
- Pragmatism.
What are Creswell (2009) four world views?
- Postpositivism
- Constructtivism
- Transformative
- Pragmatism.
What is Postpositivism?
Based on the notion of a single reality and “objective truth”
- Associated with the scientific method and quantitative research (e.g., experiments, surveys)
- Research should be unbiased and objective
What is Postpositivism?
Based on the notion of a single reality and “objective truth”
- Associated with the scientific method and quantitative research (e.g., experiments, surveys)
- Research should be unbiased and objective
What is Constructivism?
Based on the notion of multiple realities and meanings as varied and multiple
- There is a focus on complexity of views, rather than a narrowing to few categories or ideas
- Researchers recognize that their own backgrounds shape interpretations
- Qualitative dominant (e.g., phenomenology, ethnography)
What is Constructivism?
Based on the notion of multiple realities and meanings as varied and multiple
- There is a focus on complexity of views, rather than a narrowing to few categories or ideas
- Researchers recognize that their own backgrounds shape interpretations
- Qualitative dominant (e.g., phenomenology, ethnography)
What is Transformative?
Based on the notion that research needs to be intertwined with politics and political agenda
- There is a focus on action and reform that might change the lives of the participants in the study
- Researchers work collaboratively with participants
- Qualitative dominant (e.g., participatory action research)
What is Transformative?
Based on the notion that research needs to be intertwined with politics and political agenda
- There is a focus on action and reform that might change the lives of the participants in the study
- Researchers work collaboratively with participants
- Qualitative dominant (e.g., participatory action research)
What is Pragmastism?
Based on the notion that research needs to be concerned with “what works” and solutions to problems
- There is a no commitment to a single notion of reality
- Researchers use whatever methods work best
- Mixed methods dominant
What is Pragmastism?
Based on the notion that research needs to be concerned with “what works” and solutions to problems
- There is a no commitment to a single notion of reality
- Researchers use whatever methods work best
- Mixed methods dominant
What is a statistic?
- An objective means of interpreting data
What do statistics inform you about?
- Reliability
- Meaningfulness
measures of _________________ and _____________ are the most fundamental components of most statistical techniques
Central Tendency
Variability
What is the mean?
Most common measure of central tendency.
What is a median?
number occurring at the midpoint of the series
Note: If there is an even number of scores, take the mean of the two mid-point scores
What is the mode?
Most frequently occurring number.
What is the variability?
The best estimate of the spread of scores.
What is standard deviation?
Simply the square root of variance.
