Modules 1-3 Vocabulary Flashcards
Analysis
division of the content into parts to understand each aspect of the study
Concept
an image or symbolic representation of an abstract idea
Conceptual Definition
general meaning of a concept
Conceptual Framework
structural representation of concepts, theories or both that is used to construct a map for the study
Constructs
abstractions that a deliberately and systematically invented by researchers for a specific purpose
Critique
objectively and critical evaluating the content of a research report for scientific merit and application to practice, theory, or education
Data
numerical and non-numerical collected during the study
Deductive
drawing conclusions from the general to the specific
Inductive
generalizing from specific data
Empirical Data
evidence gathered through direct observation
Generalizability
extent to which data can be inferred to be representative of similar phenomena in population beyond the study
Hypothesis
best guess or prediction. What a researcher expects to find
Model
symbolic representation of a set of concepts created to depict relationships
Nursing Research
systematic process of investigating problems to gain knowledge to improve nursing care
Nursing Science
body of knowledge unique to the discipline of nursing
Relationships
association between two or more phenomena or variables
Replication
ability to repeat a study using the same variables
Research Rigour
striving for excellence in nursing research
Scientific Inquiry
critically analyzing data systematically gathered about a phenomena
Scientific Method
systematic research process that involves selecting and defining the problems, formulating hypothesis/research question, collecting data, and reporting results
Theoretical Framework
structural representation of concepts, theories, or both used to construct a map for the study
Theory
set of interrelated concepts, definitions, and propositions, that present a systematic view of phenomena for the purpose of explaining and making predictions about those phenomena
Variables
measurable characteristics that differ among the subjects
Continuous Variables
can be represented on a continuous scale, with an infinite number of values
Discrete Variables
finite number of values between two points
Dependent Variables
outcomes of a research study. Variable thought to be influenced by other variables
Independent Variables
treatments or conditions that the researcher controls
Intervening Variable
link between an independent and a dependent variable, explanation of how the independent variable influences the dependent variable
Social Construct
constantly changing sets of beliefs held within a society or culture
Quantitative Research
- objective
- precise steps
- removes subjectivity and controls bias
- effect of one variable on another
- uses scientific method
Qualitative Research
- combination of different philosophical perspectives
- multiple realities
- understanding of nature and meaning in human existence
Abstract
concise summary of a research study
Principal of Beneficence
protection of participants from harm or exploitation
Right to Self Determination
should be treated as autonomous agents. Right to ask questions, refuse information, or terminate participation
Right to Full Disclosure
know what they are getting into, free to decide whether to participate
Informed Consent
contract between participant and researcher
Anonymity
cannot associate given information with a specific person
Confidentiality
if anonymity is impossible, promise not to share information publicly
Research Problem
area of concern where there is a gap in the knowledge base needed for nursing practice
Purpose Study
one or two sentences that specify the overall goal and direction of the research
Covert Behaviour
unobservable actions which can only be deduced by oneself (usually with an instrument)
Simple Hypothesis
predicts the relationship between two variables
Complex Hypothesis
predicts the relationship between three or more variables
Nondirectional Hypothesis
indicates existence of a relationship but does not predict the direction
Directional Hypothesis
states the expected direction of the relationship between the independent and dependent variables
Statistical Hypothesis
states that no relationship exists between variables
Research Hypothesis
states that there is a relationship between variables
Experimental Design
- most rigorous
- explores cause and effect
- independent is manipulated while dependent is measured
Quasi-Experimental Design
allows for topics to be explored that could not otherwise be explored due to ethical, moral or practical concerns
Non-Experimental
- when researcher wants to study or observe things as they are or as they happen in a setting
- not manipulated
Basic Design/After-Only/Post-Test-Only Designs
- random assignment of participants into groups
- data collection is done after experiment is completed
Factorial Designs
two or more variables are manipulated simultaneously and subjects are assigned at random to a combination of treatments
Crossover Designs/Repeated Measure Designs
exposure of the same study participants to more than one intervention
Non-Equivalent Control Group Design
- experimental treatment and two or more groups of subjects
- not randomly selected
- it can no longer be assumed that the experimental and comparison groups are equivalent
Time-Series Design
examining a series of observations on some variable over time
Ex-Post-Facto (Correlational) Research
identifies a relationship among variables, but does not prove causation
Retrospective (Case-Control) Design
links present events to events (cause) that occurred in the past
Prospective (Cohort) Design
explore a presumed cause and move on to a presumed effect using cohorts
Descriptive Research
broad class of non-experimental research with the purpose of observing, describing, and documenting a phenomenon
Internal Validity
extent of control over influences external to the study
History Threat
events that occur during the study that have an effect on the dependent variables
Maturation Threat
processes occurring within the subjects during the study as a result of time
Testing Threat
can affect the post-test score as a pretest is a learning experience
Instrumentation Threat
changes in data collection methods could alter the data if the collectors are not similarly trained
Mortality Threat
when subjects do not continue through the experiment
Selection Threat
manner in which subjects are chosen and are not assigned randomly to groups
Temporal Ambiguity Threat
lack of clarity, whether the independent variable preceded the dependent variable or vice versa. Common in cross-sectional studies
Threats to External Validity
whether the study findings are generalizable to other settings or populations
Ethnographic
- field research
- understand aspects of a culture or subculture from an insider’s perspective
- in depth procedures
- long periods in the field
Phenomenological
- philosophical
- rich description of phenomenon
- increase understanding of lived experience
Grounded Theory
- generate new theory from data collected
- useful in areas that have not been previously studied
- can gain a new perspective on areas previously researched
Non-Probability Sampling
selecting a sample through non-random methods
Probability Sampling
random selection of elements from a population
attempts to ensure that each element of the population is included in the sample
Convenience Sampling
Requires the use of the most readily available people as participants in a study
weakest sampling strategy
Snowball Sampling
Begins by identifying a single subject and then asks that subject to identify others like him or her who might be willing to participate
Purposive Sampling
purposely select people who experience the phenomenon of interest
Maximum Variation Sample
purposefully selecting cases with a wide range of variation on dimensions of interest
Homogenous Sampling
deliberately reduces variation, allows a more focused inquiry
Extreme/Deviant Case Sampling
learning from the most unusual and extreme informants
Intensity Sampling
information-rich cases, manifest the phenomenon of interest intensely, not as extreme or potentially distorting manifestations
Typical Case Sampling
selection of participants who will illustrate or highlight what is typical or average
Theory-Based Sampling
selection of people or incidents on the basis of their potential representation of important theoretical constructs
Quota Sampling
allows the researcher to control the sample on selected characteristics so that it more closely represents the population of interest
Simple Random Sample
most common, each member has an equal independent chance of being selected, eliminating systematic bias
Stratified Random Sample
population is divided into two or more strata first, then researcher draws a random sample from each subgroup
ensures strata are fairly represented
Cluster Sample
groups, not individuals, are randomly selected
good for when population is large or really spread out, most efficient
*way more sampling errors
Systematic Sample
all the elements from as list are chosen for inclusion in the sample *first element is selected randomly
