'D' Terms

Question 1

Deduction, Deductive

Answer 1

An approach to inquiry that begins with the statement of a theory from which hypothesis may be derived and tested; compare with inductive.

Question 2

Denotation

Answer 2

A term used in semiotics to refer to the principal and most manifest meaning of a sign; compare with connotation

Question 3

Dependent variable

Answer 3

A variable that is caused (or assumed to be caused) by an independent variable.

Question 4

Diary

Answer 4

A written memoir. Three types of diary are discussed in this book: personal diaries that are spontaneously produced and can be analyzed as personal documents; diaries written at the behest of a researcher; and diaries written by researchers to log their activities in reflections.

Question 5

Dichotomous variable

Answer 5

A variable with just two categories.

Question 6

Dimension

Answer 6

An aspect of a concept.

Question 7

Discourse analysis (DA)

Answer 7

An approach to the analysis of talk and other forms of communication that emphasizes the way language can create versions of reality.

Question 8

Dispersion

Answer 8

The degree of variation in a set of scores. Commonly used measures of dispersion include the range and standard deviation