Midterm Flashcards
a “bottom up” method of research which begins with observation -> finding a pattern -> tentative hypothesis -> theory
Inductive Approach
A “top down” method of research. A conclusion is found based on multiple reasons that are assumed to be true.
Deductive Approach
This research typically explains phenomena and often times also looks to broaden the knowledge of preexisting data or research and dives deeper into theoretical assumptions.
Theoretical Research
This reseach method uses direct or indirect observation either qualitatively or quantitatively.
Empirical Research
This research describes the characteristics of a population or phenomenon being studied. It does not answer how/when/why questions, rather it answers the question of “what” (what are the characteristics of the population or situation being studied)
Descriptive Research
This type of research helps identify the potency of a relationship between two or more variables
Relational Research
This research looks at one event and seeks to discover the events that precede the given event. It also may start with two or more events and seek to discover is one is caused by another. Researches the question of “why did this happen”
Causal Research
something that takes on varying (get it?) values or categories
Variable
a variable that is presumed to cause changes to occur in another variable
Independent Variable
a variable that changes because of change in another variable
Dependent Variable
An attribute is a specific value on a variable
Attribute
Correlational research is a type of non-experimental research method, in which a researcher measures two variables, understands and assess the statistical relationship between them with no influence from any extraneous variable
Correlational Relationship
Causal Relationship (3 types of evidence needed for it from Lead and Crime lecture AND search for “causal relationships” in our online open-source research text)
Causal Relationship (3 types of evidence needed for it from Lead and Crime lecture AND search for “causal relationships” in our online open-source research text)
Positive Relationship, Negative Relationship, No Relationship
3 Patterns of Relationships
Data that can be described and manipulated numerically.
Qualitative Data
Data that counted an measured, usually expressed as numbers.
Quantitative Data
The Unit of Analysis is the subject being analyzed in a study
Unit of Analysis
A literature review is a search and evaluation of the available literature in your given subject or chosen topic area
Literature Review
Reliability refers to whether or not you get the same answer by using an instrument to measure something more than once. In simple terms, research reliability is the degree to which research method produces stable and consistent results.
Reliability
Used to measure how well a test measures what it is supposed to measure
Reliability
Creates exact definitions of each variable and exact measurement methods used
Operationalization
The variety of complications that can come when designing surveys. The”Issues” are dependent on the type of survey being designed
Issues in Survey Design
Sampling is the process of selecting units from a population of interest so that by studying the sample we may fairly generalize our results back to the population from which they were chosen.
Sampling
“analysis of the manifest and latent content of a body of communicated material (such as a book or film) through a classification, tabulation, and evaluation of its key symbols and themes in order to ascertain its meaning and probable effect
Content Analysis,
Red herring is a kind of fallacy that is an irrelevant topic introduced in an argument to divert the attention of listeners or readers from the original issue
Red Herring–associated with Logical Fallacy
When a person making a claim is presented as an expert who should be trusted when his or her expertise is not in the area being discussed.
Arguement from Authority–Logical Fallacy
Using a percieved consequence of a belief to explain why the belief is true or false.
Argument from Adverse Consequences–Logical Fallacy
Whatever has not been proven false must be true, or vice versa.
Appeal to Ignorance–Logical Fallacy
Only including the data/evidnece that supports your argument while ignoring all else
Observational Selection–Logical Fallacy
A tactic used to rescue one in deep rhetorical trouble. A “you-wouldn’t-understand” kind of thing. A cop out.
Special Pleading–Logical Fallacy
Assuming the answer.
Begging the Question–Logical Fallacy
When one draws conclusions from sample sizes that are too small.
Statistics of Small Numbers–Logical Fallacy
Connecting to completely unrelated conclusions
Non Sequitur-Logical Fallacy
Not taking into account the continuum of intermediate possibilites when considering possible outcomes from an action.
Slippery Slope, related to excluded middle–Logical Fallacy
Illegitimate causation, usually the result of superstition.
Post hoc, ergo propter hoc–Logical Fallacy
Only considering the two extremes in a continuum of intermediate possibilities.
Excluded Middle or False Dichotomy–Logical Fallacy
Confusion in thinking that becuase two things are related (have a correlation), that one must cause the other.
Confusion of Correlation and Causation–logical Fallacy
Caricaturing/make a joke of a position to make it easier to attack.
Straw Man–Logical Fallacy
