Chapter 2 Measuring People

Question 1

Equal Probability Selection Method (EPSEM)

Answer 1

Procedure for producing a sample into which every case in the target population has an equal probability of being selected

Question 2

Hypothetical Construct

Answer 2

Phenomenon or construct assumed to exist and used to explain observed effects, but as yet unconfirmed; stays an explanation of effects while evidence supports it

Question 3

Mixed Methods

Answer 3

An approach which combines both quantitative and qualitative methods as part processes in a single research project

Question 4

Operational Definition

Answer 4

Definition of phenomenon in terms of the precise procedures taken to measure it

Question 5

Participant Variables

Answer 5

Person variables (eg memory ability) differing in proportion across different experimental groups, and possibly confounding results

Question 6

Population

Answer 6

All possible members of a category from which a sample is drawn

Question 7

Positivism

Answer 7

Methodological belief that the world’s phenomenon, including human experience and social behaviour, are reducible to observable facts and the mathematical relationships between them. Includes the belief that the only phenomena relent to science are those that can be measured.

Question 8

Qualitative Approach

Answer 8

Methodological stance gathering qualitative data which usually holds that information about human events and experiences, if reduced to numerical form, loses most of its important meaning for research

Question 9

Qualitative Data

Answer 9

Information gathered that is not in numerical form

Question 10

Quantitative Approach

Answer 10

Methodological stance gathering quantitative data following a belief that science requires accurate measurement and quantitative data

Question 11

Random Number

Answer 11

Number not predictable from those preceding it

Question 12

Randomise

Answer 12

To put the trials of, or stimuli used in, an experiment into an unbiased sequence, where prediction of the next term is impossible

Question 13

Randomly Allocate

Answer 13

To put people into different conditions of an experiment on a random basis

Question 14

Reification

Answer 14

Tendency to treat abstract concepts as real entities

Question 15

Reliability

Answer 15

Extent to which findings or measures can be repeated with similar results; consistency of measures

Question 16

Sample

Answer 16

Group selected from population for an investigation

Question 17

Biased Sample

Answer 17

Sample in which members of a sub-group of the target population are over- or under-represented

Question 18

Cluster Sample

Answer 18

Groups in the population selected at random from among other similar groups and assumed to be representative of a population

Question 19

Convenience/Opportunity Sample

Answer 19

Sample selected because they are easily available for testing

Question 20

Haphazard Sample

Answer 20

Sample selected from population with no conscious bias (but likely not to be truly random)

Question 21

Purposive Sample

Answer 21

Non-random sampling of individuals likely to be able to make a significant contribution to the data collection for a qualitative project either because of their specific experiences or because of their expertise on a topic

Question 22

Quota Sample

Answer 22

Sample selected, not randomly, but so that specified groups will appear in numbers

Question 23

Representative Sample

Answer 23

Type of sample aimed at if results of research are to be generalised; it is hoped that the sample will contain sub-groups of people in direct proportion to their prevalence in the general population

Question 24

Self-Selecting Sample

Answer 24

Sample selected for study on the basis of members’ own action in arriving at the sampling point

Question 25

Simple Random Sample

Answer 25

Sample in which every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected and all possible combinations can be drawn

Question 26

Stratified Sample

Answer 26

Sample selected so that specified sub-groups will appear in numbers proportional to their size in the target population; within each sub-group cases are randomly selected

Question 27

Systematic Random Sample

Answer 27

Sample selected by taking the nth case from a list of the target population; ‘random’ if starting point for n is selected at random

Question 28

Sampling/Selection Bias

Answer 28

Systematic tendency towards over- or under- representation of some categories in a sample

Question 29

Sampling Frame

Answer 29

The specified range of people from whom a sample will be drawn. Those within a population who can be sampled.

Question 30

Target Population

Answer 30

Similar to sampling frame but more theoretical. The assumed population of people from which a sample is to be drawn. Very often the aim is to be able to generalise sample results to this population.

Question 31

Validity

Answer 31

Extent to which instruments measure what they are intended to measure. Also, extent to which a research effect can be trusted as real or as not, ‘contaminated’ or confounded

Question 32

Variable

Answer 32

Phenomenon that varies. In psychology usually refers to phenomenon for which an objective measure has been provided.