Ch. 5: Research Designs

Question 1

Case Study

Answer 1

An observation of some event or phenomenon in one place, either at one point in time or over multiple points in time

Question 2

Central Limit Theorem

Answer 2

The property through which a normal distribution (bell curve) is created when plotting a sample statistic, such as the average for a particular variable, for a large number of samples on a single line; the effect becomes more pronounced the larger the number of samples and the number of observations within each sample

Question 3

Cluster Sample

Answer 3

A probability sample that is used when a complete list of all potential observations in a population is not available; the population is divided by some meaningful characteristic, or cluster, and the observations that are included in the sample are those identified from the chosen clusters

Question 4

Confidence Interval

Answer 4

The interval of sample statistics that is expected to contain the true population parameter

Question 5

Confidence Level

Answer 5

The percentage of samples that can be expected to contain the true population parameter

Question 6

Confidence Sample

Answer 6

A non-probability sample in which observations are chosen because they are the ones to which a researcher has the best access

Question 7

Cross-Section

Answer 7

Data that are collected for one point in time for a group of observations

Question 8

Experimental Research Design

Answer 8

A research design that allows a researcher to control the assignment of values on an independent variable (sometimes called a treatment) to test its effects on a dependent variable.

Question 9

Generalization

Answer 9

The application of conclusions to observations that were not formally studied in a research project

Question 10

Longitudinal Data

Answer 10

Data Collected over multiple points in time for different observations

Question 11

Margin of Error

Answer 11

A measure of the precision of an estimate (using a sample) of the true population parameter

Question 12

Mixed Methods Design

Answer 12

A research Design in which different types of research designs are included in a single study

Question 13

Most Different Systems Design

Answer 13

A research Design in which the observations included in the study differ from one another, but manifest the same value in the dependent variable under consideration

Question 14

Most Similar Systems Design

Answer 14

A research design in which the observations included in the study are inherently similar to each other on a number of important dimensions so that variation in an independent variable can be used to explain variation in a dependent variable.

Question 15

Non-probability Sample

Answer 15

A type of sample in which every potential observation has an unknown probability of being included in the sample

Question 16

Observational Research Design

Answer 16

A type of research design in which the researcher does not have control over the assignment of values for an independent variable

Question 17

Panel Data

Answer 17

Data that are collected at multiple points in time for the same observations

Question 18

Panel Data

Answer 18

Data that are collected at multiple points in time for the same observations

Question 19

Population Parameters

Answer 19

Particular characteristics about the research population

Question 20

Pre-Post Data

Answer 20

Data that are collected for the same observations both before and after a particular event has occurred to measure the extent to which the event predicated a change in a particular variable

Question 21

Probability Sample

Answer 21

A type of sample based on randomization

Question 22

Purposive Sample

Answer 22

A type of sample based on randomization

Question 23

Qualitative Research Design

Answer 23

A research design that uses the analysis of nonnumeric information for a small number of observations to produce a conclusion about how and why something happened in a particular way

Question 24

Quantitative Research Design

Answer 24

A research design that uses numerical measures for a large n umber of observations in a sample to produce a conclusions about correlation between variables.

Question 25

Quota Sample

Answer 25

A non-probability sample which a researcher is guided by a particular characteristic within a population and deliberately chooses a a sample based on the characteristic

Question 26

Randomization

Answer 26

The process by which each potential observation has an equal and independent chance of being included in the research study used to generate probability samples

Question 27

Research Design

Answer 27

A plan that describes how a research question will be answered

Question 28

Sample

Answer 28

A microcosm of a larger population; a smaller group within a larger group

Question 29

Sample Bias

Answer 29

The bias that occurs when a sample does not adequately reflect a population

Question 30

Sample Statistic

Answer 30

A specific piece of information derived from a sample

Question 31

Sampling Error

Answer 31

The degree of error that is expected between a sample static and the true population parameter

Question 32

Simple Random Sample

Answer 32

The Most basic type of probability sample in which every potential observation in population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample

Question 33

Snowball Sample

Answer 33

A non-probability sample in which a researcher studies an observation and learns from the inquiry itself that another observation might shed further light on the research question

Question 34

Stratified Random Sample

Answer 34

A probability sample in which observations form a population are grouped into predetermined categories of importance to the population and then randomly selected by some means that ensures that the resulting sample is proportionate to the predetermined categories

Question 35

Systematic Sample

Answer 35

A probability sample in which the observations included in the sample are chosen at predetermined intervals from a list