CHAPTER2

Question 1

OPERATIONAL DEFINITION

Answer 1

describes exactly what the variables are and how they are measured within the context of a study.

Question 2

SECONDARY ANALYSIS

Answer 2

The process of data collection that examines information that has been collected by someone else.

Question 3

QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS

Answer 3

The process of gathering more specific and detailed information from the sample being studied.

Question 4

GENERALIZATION

Answer 4

a statement about the recurrent relationships between particular variables.

Question 5

DATA

Answer 5

Information in some form that needs statistical interpretation

Question 6

MEAN

Answer 6

average. add up all numerical values and divide it by total number of respondents

Question 7

HYPOTHESIS

Answer 7

A prediction about the outcome of manipulated variables

Question 8

RELIABILITY

Answer 8

the process of ensuring that research findings are consistent if they are to be replicated by other scientists.

Question 9

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS

Answer 9

the process of reducing general research data into numbers.

Question 10

DEPENDENT VARIABLE

Answer 10

the outcome of manipulated variables, which researchers then measure to determine its overall significance. This is your EFFECT variable.

Question 11

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE

Answer 11

This is the variable that researchers manipulate to determine its influence on the outcome of the second set of variables. This is your CAUSE variable.

Question 12

VALIDITY

Answer 12

the researcher must make sure that their operational definitions measure what they were intended to measure.

Question 13

CORRELATION

Answer 13

established statistical relationships between particular Variables. There are (3) types of correlations:

1. POSITIVE this occurs when one variable increases, a second variable will increase with it. Ex. The higher your education, the more money one is likely to make.
2. NEGATIVE this occurs when one variable increases, and a second variable decreases. Ex. Not all college graduates will become financially successful.
3. SPURIOUS this occurs when both variables appear to be statistically related, but not logically acceptable.

Question 14

PROBABILITY

Answer 14

argues that generalizations will hold good only under specific conditions because if circumstances change, other variables might come into play and influence the existing relationship.

Question 15

RANDOM SAMPLE

Answer 15

designed to ensure that each subject has an equal chance of being selected into a research study.

Question 16

ANALYSIS

Answer 16

The process of interpreting gathered data; usually through statistical measurements.

Question 17

PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION

Answer 17

the researcher becomes personally involved in the activities of their subjects.

Question 18

EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS

Answer 18

research based solely on scientific observation and evaluation.

Question 19

PERSONAL INTERVIEW

Answer 19

A form of research conversation in which a specific list of questions will be asked to the respondent.

Question 20

NATURALISTIC OBSERVATION

Answer 20

the researcher observes their subjects at a distance without revealing their identity or intentions.

Question 21

HAWTHORNE EFFECT

Answer 21

Occurs when a subject’s behavior changes when they are being observed or evaluated.

Question 22

SPURIOUS CORRELATION

Answer 22

when both variables appear to be statistically related, but not logically acceptable.

Question 23

EXPERIMENT

Answer 23

the process of scientific analysis in which independent variables are introduced to determine their effect on other variables.

Question 24

VARIABLE

Answer 24

a characteristic that can change across time, across space, or from one individual or group to another

Question 25

TEMPORAL PRIORITY

Answer 25

Organizing variables to ensure that the cause happens before the effect.

Question 26

CAUSATION

Answer 26

occurs when one variable influences the outcome of a second variable.