Intro to Research Methods

Question 1

Empirical Approach

Answer 1

use of observations in collecting data

Question 2

Four Keys to Empirical Approach

Answer 2

1. Why
2. Whom
3. How
4. When

Question 3

Hypothesis

Answer 3

statement of expected results (why)

Question 4

population

Answer 4

(whom) to observe
a. entire population
b. sample of population

Question 5

measures

Answer 5

1. objective tests
2. interviews
3. direct observations of behavior
   (how)

Question 6

Timing

Answer 6

(when)

Question 7

data

Answer 7

observations made by researchers resulting in either numbers or words

Question 8

Qualitative Research

Answer 8

interview data described in a narrative that points out themes and trends

Question 9

Experimental research

Answer 9

give treatments and observe if they cause changes in behavior

Question 10

Random assignment

Answer 10

gives each participant an equal chance of being in either group

Question 11

Classic simple experiment

Answer 11

researcher forms two groups and gives each group a different treatment

Question 12

Experimental group

Answer 12

group receiving treatment

Question 13

control group

Answer 13

group receiving no treatment

Question 14

true experiment

Answer 14

participants divided at random

Question 15

Non-experimental studies

Answer 15

1. no treatments given

2. only observations of participants as they naturally exist

Question 16

Most common type of non experimental study

Answer 16

survey or poll

Question 17

survey or poll types

Answer 17

1. interviews

2. questions

Question 18

Attributes observed in survey studies

Answer 18

1. attitudes
2. beliefs
3. behaviors

Question 19

What is the purpose of an experiment?

Answer 19

to explore cause and effect relationships (i.e. treatments are given to see how they affect the participants)

Question 20

demographics

Answer 20

background characteristics such as socioeconomic status

Question 21

causal-comparative study

Answer 21

ex post facto study

Question 22

Causal-Comparative Study Essential Characteristics

Answer 22

1. observe and describe a current condition

2. look into the past to try to identify the possible causes of the condition

Question 23

Best study to explore causality?

Answer 23

causal-comparative

Question 24

Causal-Comparative Research

Answer 24

look into the past for a cause of a current condition

Question 25

Census

Answer 25

interview of all members of a population

Question 26

case study

Answer 26

study involving only one participant

Question 27

longitudinal research

Answer 27

repeatedly measure traits of the participants over a period of time in order to trace developmental trends

Question 28

correlational research

Answer 28

interested in the degree of relationship among two or more quantitative variables

Question 29

quantitative research

Answer 29

gather numerical data for statistical analysis

Question 30

Qualitative research

Answer 30

gather data to be analyzed through informed judgment to identify major and minor themes expressed by participants.

Question 31

Historical research

Answer 31

by reviewing historical evidence, researchers are able to develop theories that may explain historical events and patterns and then lead to hypotheses

Question 32

variable

Answer 32

a trait or characteristic with two or more categories

Question 33

Mutually exclusive categories

Answer 33

each respondent to a survey belongs to only one category

Question 34

exhaustive category

Answer 34

a variable must have a category for each respondent's opinion

Question 35

categorical variables

Answer 35

naming variables

Question 36

Independent variable

Answer 36

stimulus or input that causes changes; predictor

Question 37

dependent variable

Answer 37

response or output; criterion

Question 38

research hypothesis

Answer 38

prediction of the outcome of a study

Question 39

directional hypotheses

Answer 39

researchers predict which group will be higher or have more of some attribute

Question 40

nondirectional hypothesis

Answer 40

researcher says there will be a difference but does not predict the direction of the difference

Question 41

Two options for a nondirectional hypothesis:

Answer 41

1. research purpose | 2. research question

Question 42

Null hypothesis

Answer 42

1. statistical hypothesis | 2. needs to be considered in analysis

Question 43

Conceptual definitions

Answer 43

does not indicate a precise concrete physical steps taken to identify the variable

Question 44

operational definition

Answer 44

defining a variable in terms of physical steps

Question 45

replication

Answer 45

attempt to confirm the results of a study by conducting it again

Question 46

Program Evaluation

Answer 46

report on the implementation and effectiveness of the program being funded

Question 47

Four components of Program Evaluation

Answer 47

1. applied research 2. needs assessment 3. formative evaluation 4. summative evaluation

Question 48

theory

Answer 48

unified explanation for discrete observations that might otherwise be viewed as unrelated or contradictory

Question 49

Grounded Theory

Answer 49

1. in qualitative research 2. inductive 3. grounded in observations 4. evolutionary 5. regularly revised during observations