Midterm Flashcards
Scientific Method
Testing ideas in the public arena STEPS: 1-identify a problem 2-clarify the problem 3-determine the info needed & how to obtain it 4-organize the information 5-interpret the result
Experimental Research
The most conclusive of scientific methods,
The researcher establishes different treatments & then studies their effects,
Results from this type of research are likely to lead to the most clear cut interpretations,
Single subject research involves the intensive study of a single individual
Correlational Research
Used to determine relationships among two or more variables and to explore their implications for cause and effect,
Requires no manipulation or intervention,
Use this type of research to look for and describe relationships
Causal-Comparative
Intended to determine the cause for, or the consequences of differences between groups of people
Survey Research
Obtains data to determine specific characteristics of a group,
Descriptive survey or interview,
DIFFICULTIES
1-ensuring that the questions are clear and not misleading
2-getting respondents to answer questions thoughtfully and honestly
3-getting a sufficient number of the questionnaires completed and returned
Ethnographic Research
Qualitative, the emphasis in this type of research is on documenting or portraying the everyday experiences of individuals by observing and interviewing them and relevant others
Narrative Methods
Biography, the researcher focuses on important experiences in the life of an individual
Phenomenology
The researcher focuses on a particular phenomenon
Case Study
A single individual, group, or important example is studied extensively
Grounded Theory
Emphasizes continual interplay between raw data and the researchers interpretations that emerge from the data
Historical Research
Some aspect of the past is studied by locking at documents of the period or by interviewing individuals who lived during the time
Action Research
Actions researchers focus on getting information that will enable them to change conditions in a particular situation in which they are personally involved
Evaluation Research
Formative-intended to improve the object being evaluated-examine the delivery
Summative-seek to examine the effects or outcomes of an object by describing what happens after the delivery of the program or tech to assess whether the object caused the outcome
(Formative-needs assessment, summative-outcome evaluations or impact evaluations)
Descriptive
Describe a given state of affairs as fully and carefully as possible
Associational
Investigates relationships
Intervention studies
A particular method or treatment is expected to influence one or more outcomes
Meta-Analysis
An attempt to reduce the limitations of individual studies by trying to locate all of the studies on a particular topic and then using statistical means to synthesize the results of these studies
What is the only type of research that directly attempts to influence a particular variable, and when properly applied, it is the best type for testing hypotheses about cause/effect relationships?
Experimental Research
Independent Variable
The experimental or treatment variable
Dependent Variable
Criterion or outcome variable refers to the results or outcomes of the study
Researchers manipulate the ______ variable
Independent
Change is planned for and deliberately manipulated in order to study it’s effects on one or more ____
Outcomes
What group receives a treatment?
Experimental group
Which group revives no treatment?
Control group
The _____ enables the researcher to determine whether the treatment has had an effect or whether one treatment is more effective than another
control or comparison
One-Shot Case Study
A single group is exposed to a treatment or event and a dependent variable is subsequently observed (measured) I order to assess the effect of the treatment
One Group Pretest-Posttest Design
A single group is measured or observed not only after being exposed to a treatment, but also before
Static Group Comparison Design
Two already or existing intact groups are used (non equivalent control group design)
Static Group Pretest-Posttest Design
A pretest is given to 2 already intact groups
Randomized Posttest only Control Group
Two groups formed by random assignment, one group receives the experimental treatment, then both groups are post tested
Randomized Pretest-Posttest Control Group Design
Offers a pre-test
Randomized Solomon Four Group Design
Random assignment of subjects to four groups, two groups are pre-tested and two are not
Quantitative
Deal with numbers, facts and feelings can be separated; seek to establish relationships between variables and look for and sometimes explain the causes
Qualitative
Involves words, world is made up of multiple realities; more concerned with understanding situations and events from the viewpoint of participants
Four essential characteristics of research questions
1-the question is feasible
2-the question is clear
3-the question is significant
4-the question is ethical
Constitutive Definition
Dictionary approach, researchers use other words to state more clearly what is meant
Operational Defintion
Specify the actions or operations necessary to measure or identify the term
