Keywords and definitions Flashcards
Research
Develop ideas and plan how to reach a goal
Pre-positivist
Observe and understand
Positivist
Active attempts to change outcomes
Post-positivism
Action can occur later
Hypothesis
Simple assumption about the nature of things
Theory
Set of interrelated hypotheses used to explain phenomenon
Construct
Abstract theoretical concept
Operationalization
Steps to be taken to measure your construct
Data
Information gathered to be analysed
Parsimony
Prefer simplest possible explanation
Nominal
Qualitatively different categories (e.g. natural hair colour)
Ordinal
Ordered categories on a continuum (e.g. satisfaction ratings - dissatisfied, neutral, satisfied)
Ratio
Numeric answers with equal intervals (true 0!) (e.g. height in cm)
Interval
Numeric answers with equal intervals (no true 0!) (e.g. temperature in Celcius)
Validity
The extent to which the scores from a measure are free from systematic error (the accuracy of a method in measuring what it is supposed to measure)
Reliability
The extent to which the scores from a measure are free from random error (the consistency of a measure)
Observed score
True score + systematic error + random error
Convergent validity
Are alternative measures of the same construct comparable?
Discriminant validity
Are measures of different constructs in fact different?
Face validity
Does the measure ‘look’ okay?
Univariate analyses
Descriptions, representations and tests of one variable at the time
Bivariate analyses
Description of a relationship between two variables.
Multivariate analyses
Descriptions, representations and tests of more than two variables at the time
External validity
The extent to which the results of the research can be generalised to the population/setting of interest
Internal validity
The extent to which conclusions can be drawn about the causal effects among the variables (to what extent does x cause y)
Construct validity
The degree to which the specific variables accurately reflect or measure the constructs
Population
Aggregate of all cases that meet a designated set of specifications
Sample
Selection of some elements from a population
Element
Single member of the population
Census
Number of all elements in the population
Sampling frame
List of all elements
