intro to quantitative research Flashcards
quantitative research
a formal, objective and systematic process to describe and test relationships and/or examine cause and effect interactions among variables
- requires a research design so the consumer can clearly understand the research questions, how the study was conducted and what the results indicate
research design
is blueprint for conducting the study that maximizes control over factors that could interfere with the validity of the findings
design
the plan, strategy and structure for hypothesis testing or answering research questions
objectivity
review of the literature, assessing what is known about the research problems
accuracy
using review of literature helps to determine the best theoretical framework that will accurately, logically and systematically examine the research problem
feasibility
the ability of the study to be successful
- cost, availability, timing, data analysis
pilot study
simple small study that is conducted to determine the objectively, accuracy and feasibility of the study before embarking on a large experimental study
control
are the measures that the researcher uses to keep the study uniform (consistent) and prevent bias
bias
is any action or influence that distortions the finding of the study
homogenous sampling
having a sample that is very similar
inclusion criteria
characteristics that can be controlled - age, gender, medical history as relevant
limits who the study applies to
consistent in data collection
each participant is exposed to the same environmental conditions, timing of data collecting instruments and data collection procedures
consistency allows the researcher to draw clear conclusions and limits extraneous (outside) effects = higher quality research
experimental group
group that receives the intervention
control group
group that does not receive the intervention
randomization
sampling process where each participant has an equal change of being in the experimental or control group
internal validity
is the degree to which the experimental intervention results in observable effects
history threats
events that are not related to the planned study but occurs during the time of the study and could influence the responses of the sample to the treatment
- internal validity
maturation effect
unplanned and unrecognized changes experienced during the study
ex: participant aging, getting stronger
- internal validity
testing effect
taking the same questionnaire can impact scores
ex: pre and post test
- internal validity
instrumentation threat
changes in the way the IV data is gathered that could account for changes in obtained measurements
- internal validity
mortality (attrition)
subjects drop out of the study before completion which creates a threat to the internal validity
selection bias
addresses the participants are chosen to take part in the study
- internal validity
external validity
examine the ability of the study to be generalized to additional populations and environmental conditions
selection effects
generalizability of the results to other populations
- examine how the participants are chosen to take part in the study and how subjects are grouped together
- small population or specific sampling methods to recruit participants could impact results and generalizability
- external validity
reactive effects (Hawthorne effect)
examines the participants response to being studied
- participants change their responses simply because they are part of the study, not because of the research intervention
- studying efficiency in a manufacturing company, participants aware of the study - both methods has a same high level of efficacy
- external validity
measurement effects
the administration of a pretest in a study impacts the generalizability of the results/findings
- external validity
