Quiz 1 Flashcards
Concurrent Mixed Methods Research Design
When qualitative and quantitative phases occur at the same time.
Sequential Mixed Methods Research Design
When the quantitative or qualitative phase is conducted first, informing the other phase.
Effect Size
a quantitative estimate of the relationship between variables or differences between groups.
A standard metric
Explanation problems
When researchers can make claims about cause and effect, or attempt to answer problems of why events and behaviours happen.
Extraneous variables
variables identified in the discussion section of the study when researchers attempt to make sense of their findings.
Anything that was not initially considered when the study was developed.
Often measured in subsequent studies.
Need to be controlled (influence limited). Also known as control variables
Inductive Reasoning
Using observation of specific events and circumstances to make predictions about general principles that are tied together and united into theory.
Literature Map
a visual representation that draws together the existing studies and identifies how your topic is situated within the broader body of research.
Literature Review
A synopsis of what researchers know based on studies that have already been done on similar, relevant topics.
It situates the current study within an ongoing textual discussion and dialogue related to the topic.
Mediator Variable
A variable that is proposed to at least partially explain the relationship between the independent and dependent variable.
Meta-analysis
a summary conclusion using statistical techniques to synthesize the data from the studies included in the systemic review into an effect size.
Used in quantitative studies
Involves the identification of a problem, a methodology, and an analysis.
Meta-synthesis
An intentional, coherent appraisal and summary of qualitative evidence to conclude with the interpretation and meaning of specific research questions.
Moderator variable
(also called categorical variable or effect moderator) a variable of interest that cannot be manipulated. (age, race, etc.)
Narrative Review
the type of literature review whereby you identify a few studies that describe a topic or problem of interest.
Null Hypothesis
States that the independent and dependent variables are not related, or that there are no significant correlation between groups.
The basis for all statistical analyses.
Predictive research
Based on the premise that there is a need to identify relationships among variables.
Purpose statement
identifies intent of study, variables/concepts/phenomena, and purpose of the study.
Research Problem
Represents the foundational need for the study and describes the context for the study and the issues that exist in the literature, theory, and/or practice.
Answers question of why this research needs to be conducted.
Scoping Review
Used to describe broad existing literature from a range of different study designs and methods in order to provide an overview of available evidence on a topic.
Requires a structured and transparent process for identification of literature and presentation of information in a tally.
Slightly more sophisticated than narrative review.
Systematic Reviews
A type of literature review that uses structure methods to collect secondary data, critically appraise and evaluate the research studies, and synthesize the findings.
May involve a meta-analysis or meta-synthesis.
Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB)
a common theory in sport and exercise physiology which states that exercise or health behaviour can be directly explained by one’s intentions to engage in the behaviour and one’s perceptions of control over the behaviour.
Variables
attributes or characteristics that may vary over time or across cases.
Ethical Dilemma
A situation that requires ethical action, but the person making the decision is required to perform two or more mutually exclusive actions.
Biohazard
any organism, or its derivative, that could negatively influence another organism.
Principles
The three principles of the TCPS 2 that includes respect for persons, concern for welfare, and justice.
Ethical residue
Wondering whether the right ethical decision was made.
Research Misconduct
The falsification, fabrication, or plagiarism in any phase of the research process.
It can occur when proposing, performing, reviewing, or reporting the results of research.
guidelines
Ethical guidelines outlined in the TCPS 2.
Informs research practices.
A non-experimental research design
The study of individuals where there is no intervention or manipulation.
No assignment to groups.
Used to report correlations or associations among variables of interest.
Often descriptive in nature.
Either cross-sectional or longitudinal.
Pre-experimental study design
No assignment of participants to groups, no randomization of groups. Includes an intervention or manipulation. One group.
Used as prequel to RCT.
Fails to include one of following: a pre-test, control group, comparison group, randomization to groups.
Includes one group post-test only design, pre-test-post-test design with one group, and post-test only with non-equivalent groups.
Between-groups study design
A derivative of the true experimental design in which separate groups of participants are compared for each of the different conditions in the experimental study.
Could include a repeated measure (multiple testing sessions), or within subjects design.
Important to randomize participants to conditions and order of conditions.
Blinding
Limiting how much the participants know by hiding or concealing the condition, treatment, or manipulation.
Construct Validity
Whether the measures used by researches assess/test what they intended to measure
Continuous data
Data that takes on any value and range. Includes interval and ratio data.
Study design
Informs the methods of measurement and assessment as well as the statistical analyses.
Validity
the degree to which we can have confidence in our conclusions based on the research we conduct.
Logical validity
The quality of the researchers’ arguments, their application of theory to support the needs for the study, and the appropriate interpretation of results based on the data.
How well the research paper flows.
Reliability
An important part of construct validity that indicates that the measure is consistent or repeatable.
True Experiment design
A study in which there are two or more groups, and individuals are randomly assigned to the control and experimental groups.
Best type of design to indicate causal relationships.
Quasi-Experimental design
A study in which there is a control group and an experimental group, but no random assignment to groups.
Internal Validity
The overall quality of research and the researcher’s ability to claim that any change in outcome is a direct result of the treatment or intervention, and not other factors related to the sample.
External validity
The potential application of the results of the study, or generalization, to the rest of the population.
Randomized control trial (RCT)
A true experiment design. Includes pre and post test designs and post test only designs.
Pre- and post-test design
A type of RCT used to examine change in the dependent variable that can be attributed to the independent variable. Includes measurements before and after the intervention, and comparing results.
Post-test only design
A type of RCT in which the independent variable is introduced to the randomly assigned experimental group, and then the affects are tested.
Repeated Measures design
A type of quasi-experimental study approach in which there is only an experimental group with multiple levels of the independent variable. Participants are their own control group and each participants are exposed to each condition.
Economical in time and effort. Requires fewer subjects.
Wash-out period
the time between testing sessions.
Single-subjects design
A type of quasi-experimental design in which a single person or small number of people are studied over a long period of time. A baseline behaviour is assessed, treatment provided, and then assessed again.
Feasibility Study
Used to assess whether a planned main study can be done and its practicality
Pilot study
A type of feasibility study that is a small scale and small scope preliminary test of whether the critical elements of a main study will be feasible.
Cross-sectional study design
A type of non-experimental design in which participants are assessed at one point in time.
Longitudinal study design
a type of non-experimental study design in which the participants are followed over a long period of time.
Double-blind study
When researchers and participants are unaware of who has received the manipulation.
Discrete Data
Data that takes on values that are either numerical or categorical. Nominal or ordinal data.
Nominal data
Categorically discrete and mutually exclusive data such as the name of a favourite sport team.
Important for descriptive purposes only in quantitative studies.
Ordinal Data
Quantities that have a natural ordering. Intervals may not be equal.
Interval Data
Ordered data that have equal intervals
Ratio data
Interval data with a natural or absolute zero point. Allows you to compare with other scores.
Sampling frame
The group of people we can connect with about our study.
Probability Sampling
Any method that ensure that the different units in the population have equal probabilities of being chosen. Includes random selection, stratified random sampling, and systematic sampling.
Important for generalization.
Non-probability sampling
any method that does not use random selection.
Increases risk of selection bias (threatens internal validity).
Includes convenience or purposive sampling methods.
Random Selection
A process that ensure that every unit in the population has an equal probability of being selected for the sample.
Stratified random sampling
When the population is divided and grouped on a characteristic before random selection takes place.
Systematic Sampling
When researchers use lists or inventories of units in a population to identify every Nth entry for the sample.
Convenience sampling
Drawing a sample from groups of people that are familiar or convenient.
Purposive sampling
Involves identifying units that represent a characteristic of interest. Includes snowball sampling (identify one person with characteristic and get them to connect with others), quota sampling (identifying a certain number or representation needed for the study and then sampling up to that number), and expert sampling (identifying people with known experience and expertise in an area of interest).
Epidemiology
The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states and events in specific populations to help control health problems.
Descriptive research problems
Problems that are descriptive in nature include the need for describing a phenomenon, event, condition, or circumstance wherby no attempt is made to link information or explain outcomes.
Nomological Network
A web of evidence describing how a measure should be related to other measures of different constructs and behaviours.
Constructivism
Theory/worldview that multiple realities exist and that meaning is varied and complex.
Believes that meaning and experiences are subjective and socially constructed
Seeks out the complexity of views
Qualitative approach
Epistemology
Someone’s belief about how we acquire knowledge about truth and reality.
Ontology
Someone’s belief in the nature of truth and reality
Mixed Methods research
Combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Can prioritize one or both and conduct them simultaneously or one after the other.
Quantitative Research
Requires the generation of numerical data to answer research questions
Best suited to testing theories
Involves precise data
Typically large sample sizes
Qualitative Research
Based on the generation and interpretation of non-numerical data
Used to understand meanings of experience
emergent and flexible designs
Philosophical Worldview
A researcher’s set of beliefs related to the general orientation of the world and the nature of research
Pragmatism
The worldview that researchers need to be concerned with solutions to problems; there is no commitment to any single notion of reality.
Concerned with application and doing what works.
Pluralistic approach to research
Mixed methods approach
Post-Positivism
Worldview that there is a single reality or objective truth to be discovered through research.
Involved determinism and reductionism, reliance on theory.
Guided by the scientific method
Quantitative approach
Transformative Worldview
Worldview based on the notion that research needs to be closely connected with politics and have an action agenda to advocate for those who experience inequality
Focuses on reform and change through research.
Collaborative
Mostly qualitative, but sometimes quantitative.
Two-Eyed Seeing
Worldview that there are many ways of understanding the world, some represented by various Indigenous knowledge systems and other European derived sciences.
include “bringing together” of knowledge
Equity in knowledge systems
respect, reflection and co-learning
all 3 research approaches.
Alternative hypothesis
also called research hypothesis
Statement about what treatment group might have higher scores or statements about the strength or direction of a relationship.
Central Phenomenon
a key construct or focal area that the researcher tries to better understand, explore, and describe in qualitative research.
Control Variables
Variables that could influence the outcome or results of the study.
They are measure, but not the main focus
Independent variable
Variable that is manipulated
Predictor or correlate
Dependent variable
Variable that is being affected and represents the outcome being assessed as a result of the independent variable
the main focus of the study
Deductive reasoning
Starts with concrete generalized information, often within a theory, and uses it to explain events and circumstances.
Sections of a literature review
- Introduction (A statement of the problem that creates interest for the reader)
- Body (What is and is not known about the problem)
- Conclusion (summary, purpose statement, research questions, and hypotheses)
- Citations
Quantitative Research Purpose Statement Elements
- Words that identify the intent of the study
- The important study variables
- The theoretical framework or model guiding the study
- The participants targeted for the study
- The strategy of inquiry.
Qualitative Research Purpose Statement Elements
- Words to identify intent of study
- The central phenomenon or idea
- The philosophical worldview and research approach
- Participants targeted for study
- Strategy of inquiry
- Research site where study is being conducted
Purpose Statement Outline Mixed Methods
- Words to identify intent of study
- Important study variables for quantitative aspect of the study
- The central phenomenon or idea for the qualitative aspect of the study
- The philosophical worldview
the theoretical framework/model guiding the study - The participants targeted for the study
- the strategy of inquiry for both aspects
- The research site.
Three Ethical Principles
- Respect for Persons
- Concern for Welfare
- Justice
Privacy
A person’s right to be free from intrusion by others. Throughout the entire research process, researchers must consider how they will work to protect the privacy of participants.
Confidentiality
A researchers’ obligation to safeguard entrusted information.
Ethical Decision Making Model
- Develop Ethical Sensitivity
- Consult Code of Ethics
- Search Ethics Literature
- Develop Self-awareness
- Apply Ethical Principles
- Develop Alternative Courses of Action
- Consult with Colleagues
- Take Action
- Reflect upon the results of your actions.
Ethical Principles important to ethical decision making
- Autonomy
- Nonmaleficence
- Beneficence
- Justice
- Fidelity
- Veracity
The Three R’s of Animal Research
- Replacement
- Reduction
- Refinement
Threats to Internal Validity
Experimental Procedure:
- Testing
- Instrumental Accuracy
Treatment or Manipulation
- Diffusion of treatments
- Halo effect
Participants
- Maturation
- History
- Regression
- Selection Bias
- Experimental Drop-out
- Placebo and Hawthorne Effects
Threats to External Validity
- Selection and treatment interaction
- Setting and treatment interaction
- History and treatment interaction
Operational Definition
A clear, concise, and detailed description of a variable, that essentially represents the definition of the construct based on the measure that is used.
