Chapter 2

Question 1

Research Problem

Answer 1

One or more sentences that indicate the goal, purpose, or overall direction of the study

Question 2

Context of the research problem

Answer 2

Communicates the background or larger body of knowledge or subject

Question 3

Purpose of the research problem

Answer 3

A general statement of the goal of the study

Question 4

Significance of the research problem

Answer 4

is the reason for the study

How will the study make a contribution to knowledge and/or practice

Question 5

Research Problem Components

Answer 5

context of the problem
purpose of the problem
significance of the problem

Question 6

Five reasons for conducting replication studies

Answer 6

To check the findings of a major or milestone study
To check the validity of research findings with different subjects
To check trends or change over time
To check important findings using different methodologies
To develop more effective or efficient interventions

Question 7

Variable

Answer 7

A label or name that represents a concept or characteristic

Question 8

Categorical variables

Answer 8

are composed of attributes or levels

Question 9

attribute

Answer 9

is a categorical value of a variable

Question 10

Level

Answer 10

is another name for attribute

Question 11

Conceptual or Constitutive Definition

Answer 11

Uses other words to define the variable; a dictionary definition

Question 12

Operational Definition

Answer 12

Uses measurement operations to define the variable; generally preferred in research

Question 13

Independent Variable (IV)

Answer 13

The variable that is the subject of the study

Precedes, influences, or predicts the dependent variable

In a true experiment, the IV is under the control of the experimenter

Question 14

Dependent Variable

Answer 14

The variable that is measured to see if the IV had an affect

Affected or predicted by the independent variable

Question 15

Extraneous Variables (Nuisance Variables)

Answer 15

Any variable that may affect the DV, but is not the subject of the study

Question 16

Confounding Variables

Answer 16

A variable that co-varies with the independent variable (IV), but is not the IV.

A confounding variable provides an alternative explanation for the findings of the study (other than the IV).

Question 17

Continuous Variable

Answer 17

Can take on an infinite number of possible values

Between any two values, another value is possible

Question 18

Categorical Variable

Answer 18

Can take on only a finite number (often a small number) of possible values

The values are the categories (Example: High/Medium/Low or Yes/No)

Question 19

Predictor Variable

Answer 19

The variable we predict from

Question 20

Criterion Variable

Answer 20

The variable we are trying to predict

Question 21

Criteria for Evaluating Quantitative Research Problem Statements and Questions

Answer 21

The problem should be researchable (empirical)

The problem/question should be important

The problem should indicate the type of research (descriptive, associational, quasi-experimental, or experimental)

The problem statement/question should specify the sample

The problem statement/question should specify the variables

The problem statement/question should be clear

Question 22

Hypotheses

Answer 22

Educated “guesses” or tentative expectation about a correct solution to a problem, descriptions, possible relationships, or differences

Question 23

Why Researchers Use Hypotheses

Answer 23

The hypothesis provides a focus that integrates information
The hypothesis is testable

The hypothesis helps the investigator know what to do

The hypothesis allows the investigator to confirm or disconfirm a theory

The hypothesis provides a framework for developing explanations that can be investigated scientifically

When supported, the hypothesis provides evidence of the predictive nature of the relationship between the variables

The hypothesis provides a useful framework for organizing and summarizing the results and conclusions of the research

Question 24

Inductive hypotheses

Answer 24

derive from the researcher’s observations of behavior

Inductive hypotheses are limited by the what data the research has had the opportunity to be exposed to

Question 25

Deductive hypotheses

Answer 25

are derived from theory or its application

They help build a body of knowledge over time

Question 26

Research hypotheses

Answer 26

are conjectural, declarative statements of the results the investigator expects to find

Most research hypotheses specify a direction of effect, but they can also be non-directional

Question 27

Statistical hypotheses

Answer 27

are statements of the relationships or differences that can be tested statistically

Question 28

Null Hypothesis

Answer 28

a statistical statement of no differences between groups or no relationship between variables

The null hypothesis can either be rejected or fail to be rejected as the outcome of a research study.
A statistical hypothesis

Question 29

Criteria for Evaluating Research Hypotheses

Answer 29

The research hypothesis should be stated in a declarative form

The research hypothesis should be consistent with known facts, previous research, and theory

The research hypothesis should follow from the research problem

The research hypothesis should state the expected relationship between two or more variables

The research hypothesis should be testable

The research hypothesis should be clear

The research hypothesis should be concise

Question 30

Qualitative problem statements or questions ________________________.

Answer 30

tend to be open-ended, less specific, and evolving

Question 31

Qualitative questions should be ________________________.

Answer 31

should be neutral with respect to what will be learned through the study

Question 32

___________ is inductive. Thus, the research problem may be modified as data is collected to produce a new or related research problem.

Answer 32

Qualitative research

Question 33

__________________ need to identify the central phenomenon being studied

Answer 33

Qualitative questions

Question 34

Criteria for Evaluating Qualitative Research Problem Statements and Questions

Answer 34

The problem statement/question should not be too general or too specific

The problem statement/question should be amenable to change as data are collected

The problem statement/question should not be biased with researcher assumptions or desired findings

The problem statement/question should be written with “how” and “what” to keep focus on description of phenomenon; “why” questions tend to focus on causal conclusions, which is not the forte of this type of research

The problem statement/question should include the central phenomenon as well as an indication of the participants and the site in which the study is being conducted; for instance, “What is (the central phenomenon) for (participants) at (research site)?”

Question 35

___________ is found in the first paragraph of the article.

Answer 35

The research problem

Question 36

________ present good sources for research problems.

Answer 36

apparent contradictions

Question 37

value

Answer 37

the degree to which an event is perceived to be positive or negative

Question 38

antecedent

Answer 38

intervention

Question 39

consequence

Answer 39

outcome

Question 40

In nonexperimental research, the _______________ cannot be manipulated or controlled by the investigator.

Answer 40

independent variable

Question 41

Nuisance variable

Answer 41

Another name for extraneous variables