Chapter 3- Research Design

Question 1

assumptions

Answer 1

Untested propositions (usually within a theory).

Question 2

case study

Answer 2

An in-depth examination of an event or locale, often conducted after (because) something dramatic has happened.

Question 3

concept

Answer 3

The basic building block of research or theory that abstracts or summarizes a critical characteristic or aspect of a class of events.

Question 4

context

Answer 4

In research design, the setting in which a study is conducted, important for external validity.

Question 5

covariation

Answer 5

A statistical relationship between variables, necessary (but not sufficient) to infer causality.

Question 6

cross-sectional study

Answer 6

A quasi-experimental research design in which data are obtained for one point in time, often from a large sample of subjects.

Question 7

dependent variable

Answer 7

The variable that is caused or predicted by the independent variable (in regression, the Y variable).

Question 8

experimental design

Answer 8

A research design that features random assignment of cases to the experimental and control groups.

Question 9

external validity

Answer 9

The degree to which research findings or results can be generalized to hold true in other populations, settings, or times.

Question 10

hypothesis

Answer 10

An educated guess or conjecture about the world that can be shown to be either true or false based on data analysis.

Question 11

independent variable

Answer 11

The variable that causes or predicts the dependent variable (in regression, the X variable).

Question 12

internal validity

Answer 12

The degree to which research findings or results satisfy all conditions for establishing causality.

Question 13

mixed research design

Answer 13

Study that combines elements from several research designs.

Question 14

model

Answer 14

A simplified version of a theory that captures its key components and is amenable to empirical testing.

Question 15

multiple causation

Answer 15

The social science position that an event or phenomenon can have several causes.

Question 16

nominal (or conceptual) definition

Answer 16

Defines a concept in terms of other concepts.

Question 17

nonspuriousness

Answer 17

A criterion for a causal relationship requiring that a covariation or association between two variables or phenomena cannot be explained by a third factor.

Question 18

operational definition

Answer 18

A definition that specifies how a concept will be measured for purposes of the study in question.

Question 19

panel study

Answer 19

A type of study in which a series of cross-sectional studies is conducted on the same sample of individuals over time; that is, a group of individuals is surveyed at repeated intervals over time.

Question 20

quasi-experimental design

Answer 20

Research designs that lack the requirements of experimental designs but are structured in a similar fashion.

Question 21

random assignment

Answer 21

In research design, a procedure that gives each subject an equal chance of placement in the experimental group or the control group so that no systematic difference exists between the groups prior to administration of the treatment.

Question 22

research design

Answer 22

A systematic program for empirically testing proposed causal relationships that guides the collection, analysis, and interpretation of the relevant data.

Question 23

spurious

Answer 23

A relationship between two variables that is caused by a third variable.

Question 24

theory

Answer 24

An integrated set of propositions intended to explain or account for a given phenomenon.

Question 25

time order

Answer 25

A criterion for a causal relationship requiring that the independent variable or phenomenon must precede the dependent variable or phenomenon in time.

Question 26

trend studies

Answer 26

Studies that monitor and attempt to account for shifts over time in various indicators, usually indicators that are highly aggregated (e.g., gross national product).

Question 27

variable

Answer 27

A measured quantity or characteristic that can take on a variety of values (i.e., it varies).