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Research Methods > Chapter 1 > Flashcards

Chapter 1 Flashcards

1
Q

Authenticity

A

the extent to which the analysis of a phenomenon corresponds with reality.

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2
Q

Confirmability

A

the extent to which a study’s results may be verified by an independent researcher.

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3
Q

Credibility

A

the extent to which the results of an analysis “fit” with the reality being depicted.

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4
Q

Dependability

A

the extent to which a researcher has produced accurate results, based on precise methods.

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5
Q

Equivocal

A

ambigious

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6
Q

Impartiality

A

the extent to which a study offers findings based on observation and evidence, as opposed to opinion or conjecture.

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7
Q

Internal validity

A

the extent to which the researcher has produced results reflective of reality, as measured within the confines of the study.

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8
Q

Large-N study

A

research involving a large number of cases.

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9
Q

Measurement validity

A

the extent to which the measurement of a particular concept matches its operational definition.

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10
Q

Member checks

A

the process of verifying study results in consultation with its subjects. (p. 45)

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11
Q

Objectivity

A

the extent to which a study’s results are unbiased by the researcher’s predispositions.

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12
Q

Plausibility

A

when compared with alternative accounts, the extent to which a study’s results offer a reasonable, believable account of reality.

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13
Q

Portability

A

the extent to which a study’s results may be used to draw conclusions about other cases not immediately under investigation.

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14
Q

Precision

A

the extent to which a study offers an accurate account of reality, based on the ability of other researchers to reach similar conclusions under similar circumstances.

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15
Q

Probability

A

the mathematical likelihood that the results of a study apply beyond the cases under examination to other cases under the same general category.

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16
Q

Qualitative research

A

the non-numerical examination of reality; typically conducted through the use of verbal depiction.

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17
Q

Quantitative research

A

the numerical examination of reality; typically conducted through the use of statistical analysis.

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18
Q

Reliability

A

the extent to which the measurement of a particular variable yields consistent results.

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19
Q

Small-n studies

A

research involving a small number of cases.

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20
Q

Transferability

A

the extent to which researchers can export the lessons drawn from one investigation to develop conclusions about another set of cases.

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21
Q

Triangulation

A

the use of multiple approaches to data collection and analysis as a means of drawing trustworthy conclusions about reality.

22
Q

Trustworthiness

A

the extent to which a study produces legitimate knowledge.

23
Q

Univocal

A

having one meaning; unambiguous

24
Q

arguments

A

positions supported by reasons

25
Q

evidence

A

observed and measurable information.

26
Q

scientific approach to politics

A

uses critical thought as a guide to our perceptions of the political world

27
Q

Normative analysis is based on what?

A

Normative arguments are based on reason and logic

28
Q

empirical research

A

bases its arguments on evidence obtained from observation and measurement of the physical and social worlds

29
Q

What does Political Philosophy focus on (normative or empirical?)

A

normative

30
Q

intersubjectivity

A

empirical research independently conducted by many people

31
Q

science

A

is a set of beliefs about the natural world

32
Q

epistemology

A

an approach to knowledge

33
Q

methodology

A

a way of obtaining knowledge

34
Q

empiricism

A

that knowledge is derived from real-world observation, rather than being derived a priori or by intuition

35
Q

theories

A

integrated sets of explanations of the political world

36
Q

determinism

A

everything has a cause

37
Q

objectivity

A

science should create an accurate representation of reality

38
Q

replication

A

knowledge is acquired through a continuous application of the scientific method

39
Q

multi-method research

A

research approach in which research teams use a series of different data collection methodologies

40
Q

mixed methods research

A

researchers integrate qualitative and quantitative research approaches

41
Q 
Research that is based on a database of three thousand survey responses would be called:
qualitative research
mixed-methods research
large-n research
replication research
A

Large-n Research

42
Q 
"Democracy is the best type of political regime for human societies.” This is an example of \_\_\_\_\_\_.
a normative statement
an empirical statement
an observation
a paradigm
A

A normative statement

43
Q 
Scientific research starts with \_\_\_\_\_\_.
problem identification
data collection
replication
hypothesis formation
A

Problem identification

44
Q 
Intersubjectivity requires that more than one observation occur; in the scientific process this practice is known as \_\_\_\_\_\_.
empirical analysis
normative analysis
knowledge 
replication
A

Replication

45
Q

The chief characteristic of interpretivism is the idea that ________.
positivism is the wrong approach to research methods
it is possible to objectively measure most social and political phenomena
every event has an explanation or cause
total objectivity by researchers is impossible

A

Total objectivity by researchers is impossible

46
Q 
A paradigm is \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
a fact
an argument
a framework for understanding
a hypothesis
A

A framework for understanding

47
Q 
Epistemology refers to the study of \_\_\_\_\_\_.
the scientific method
social movements
history
knowledge
A

Knowledge

48
Q 
“People with a higher level of education are more likely to vote than those with lower education.” This is an example of a \_\_\_\_\_\_.
theory 
hypothesis
null hypothesis
fact
A

Hypothesis

49
Q 
Science is \_\_\_\_\_\_ .
a set of rules that help us understand the world around us
a set of facts
the study of empirical analysis
the study of normative analysis
A

A set of rules that help us understand the world around us

50
Q 
Postmodernism is an example of \_\_\_\_\_\_ approach.
an interpretivist
a normative
an empiricist
a scientific
A

An Interpretivist

51
Q

Democracy is the best type of political regime for human societies.” This is an example of __.

A

a normative statement

Research Methods (6 decks)

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