Research

Question 1

Qualitative

Answer 1

Concerned with understanding human behavior from the informant’s perspective, Assumes a dynamic and negotiated reality. Data are collected through participant observation and interviews. Data are analyzed by themes from descriptions by informants. Data are reported in the language of the informant.

Question 2

Quantitative

Answer 2

Concerned with discovering facts about social phenomena. Assumes a fixed and measurable reality. Data are collected through measuring things. Data are analyzed through numerical comparisons and statistical inferences. Data are reported through statistical analyzed.

Question 3

Validity

Answer 3

Refers to the extent to which a measure reflects the true characteristics of what the researcher is trying to measure.

Question 4

Reliability

Answer 4

Refers to the consistency in the measurement of a variable. EX: measuring the same subjects under the same conditions at a later time should yield the same results.

Question 5

Causality

Answer 5

is what connects one process (the cause) with another process or state (the effect), where the first is partly responsible for the second, and the second is partly dependent on the first. In general, a process has many causes,which are said to be causal factors for it, and all lie in its past. An effect can in turn be a cause of, or causal factor for, many other effects, which all lie in its future. Is metaphysically prior to notions of time and space.

Question 6

Control Group

Answer 6

In a research experiment, the group that is treated exactly like the experimental group except for not experiencing the independent variable being studied,

Question 7

Quasi-Experiment

Answer 7

Is designed a lot like a true experiment except that in the quasi-experimental design, the participants are not randomly assigned to experimental groups. EX:
Dr. Jones is a personality expert who studies the impact that personality traits have on intelligence. For the purposes of her current research project, she is interested in examining the IQ scores of people who score highly in each of the five ‘Big Five’ personality factors. Each of the five personality factors are a quasi-independent variable. Personality traits are inherent to each person, so random assignment cannot be used. Participants would initially be assigned to groups based on their personality assessment score across each of the five personality factors.

Question 8

Formative Research

Answer 8

is exploratory and is done at the beginning of the design project to guide the entire process. It is used to gain insight into the subject the project deals with and helps in problem identification and solving.

Question 9

Summative Research

Answer 9

(conclusion research) is done at the end of a project and is used to determine its success. It can also gauge customer satisfaction or aid in the development of future projects. Summative research is used to frame the outcome of an investigative process

Question 10

Hypothesis

Answer 10

Statement about a relationship between 2 or more variables that can be tested w/ an outcome that one may confirm, fail to confirm or refute.

Question 11

Null Hypothesis

Answer 11

Asserts there is no significant relationship between two variables.

Question 12

Variable

Answer 12

A characteristic possessed by everyone in the population in varying amounts or kinds.

Question 13

Variable Include: Independent Variable

Answer 13

Variable believed to cause some variation in another variable. Ex: A treatment that may generate change.

Question 14

Variable Include: Dependent variable

Answer 14

Variable whose variation must be explained. EX: Particular behavior such as alcohol abuse.

Question 15

Variable Include: Intervening and Extraneous Variable

Answer 15

• Variable that comes between the independent and dependent variables.
• It modifies the variation of dependent variable that was thought to result from the effects of independent variable.
• Researcher may be unaware or unable to control the effects of these variables.

Question 16

Research Design: Exploratory Studies

Answer 16

Used to explore an area of knowledge where little is known and to gain familiarity with real life settings, problems, or phenomena.

Question 17

Research Design: Descriptive Studies

Answer 17

Generally used when there is more knowledge than in exploratory studies: - concerned with facts- studies small representative sample to infer broader population- may be used to describe the characteristics of a population.

Question 18

Research Design: Experimental Studies

Answer 18

The most rigorous of all studies. The always involve testing a prediction by manipulating an independent variable and measuring the effect on a dependent variable. The purpose is to TEST FOR CAUSALITY.

Question 19

Types of Experimental Studies: Field Experiment

Answer 19

Conducted in a concrete, natural environment. The researcher doesn’t have tight control over the experiment Ex. Nutrition test during which the subject has access to all kinds of foods other than those mandated by the experiment.

Question 20

Types of Experimental Studies: Laboratory Experiment

Answer 20

Tests conducted under tightly controlled laboratory conditions. Might not be so conducive since its not the real world. Ex. Testing drugs on lab mice for humans.

Question 21

Types of Experimental Studies: Ex Post Facto

Answer 21

Seeks the cause of change in the dependent variable. Here one looks at the relationship between the independent v. and dependent v. under various conditions of a third variable.

Question 22

Placebo:

Answer 22

Treatment given to a control group to convince them they are being exposed to the experimental variable.

Question 23

Hawthorne or Test-Taking Effect:

Answer 23

The act of being studied may in itself produce some changes in the subjects. Ex. You might get more work done if your Director is in the same room.

Question 24

Measurement Problems

Answer 24

The basic problem in evaluation measurement results is defining true differences and distinguishing these variations that result from measurement errors.

Question 25

Tests of Reliability: Test-Retest

Answer 25

Provides evidence of stable scores. The test is administered once then again.

Question 26

Tests of Reliability: Split Half

Answer 26

Each item in a test is randomly assigned a place in the test. The test is then split into two halves, each half considered comparable to the other. Then the degree of correlation between the scores is taken as a measure of the reliability of the total test.

Question 27

Tests of Validity: Concurrent Validity

Answer 27

The measure used in a study is compared with another instrument presumed to measure the same variable. High correlation results indicates concurrent validity of the instrument.

Question 28

Tests of Validity: Content Validity

Answer 28

If the experts judge the test to be a good measurement of what is being studied, the test has content validity.

Question 29

Tests of Validity: Predictive Validity

Answer 29

A measure is used in a study is compared with some predicted future outcome.

Question 30

Tests of Validity: Construct Validity

Answer 30

The degree to which a measure relates to other variables expected within a system of theoretical relationship.

Question 31

Scales of Measurements:

Answer 31

Research is also concerned with appropriate msmt. Scale.

Question 32

Scales of Measurements: Nominal

Answer 32

Two or more of the same categories ( pass/fail, male/female).

Question 33

Scales of Measurements: Ordinal

Answer 33

The score show each subject’s position with respect to a particular characteristic. Example: who scores first, second, etc.

Question 34

Scales of Measurements: Interval

Answer 34

The higher-level scale shows ordinal positions with equal intervals btwn scores.examples: scores on licensing exam, height, weight.

Question 35

Scales of Measurements: Ratio

Answer 35

An interval scale with an absolute zero.

Question 36

Types of Samples: Simple random sample

Answer 36

Subjects are drawn randomly each subject has an equal chance of inclusion in the sample.

Question 37

Types of Samples: Stratified Random Sample

Answer 37

Subjects are first grouped into strata of interest( age, sex, ethnicity) and then drawn randomly from each group.

Question 38

Types of Samples: Cluster Random Sampling

Answer 38

Multiple stage sampling in which successive random samples are drawn from natural groups (clusters) this is not possible/too expensive.

Question 39

Statistics

Answer 39

Statistics are numerical facts or data that provide descriptive or analytical information about a given subject.

Question 40

Descriptive Statistics:

Answer 40

Computations that Describe some characteristics of a group or sample.  
Types: 
*Mean- the average 
*Median: midpoint of a series of scores
*Mode: most frequent score.

Question 41

Measure of Variability: Measures of dispersion

Answer 41

To determine dispersion or spread of scores around the central tendency (central tendency: measure the degree to which findings cluster together ex. Normal bell curve.)

Measures of dispersion:

• Range: lowest to highest.
• Standard deviation: the most stable measure of variability.
• Normal Bell curve: see diagram in text book.

Question 42

Statistical Tests of significance: Null Hypothesis

Answer 42

The hypothesis that there is “no difference” that is actually subjected to statistical testing.

Question 43

Statistical Tests of significance: Type 1 Error

Answer 43

The chance rejecting the null hypothesis when it should be accepted.

Question 44

Statistical Tests of significance: Type II Error

Answer 44

The chance of rejecting the null hypothesis when is should be rejected.

Question 45

Correlation Coefficient:

Answer 45

The symbol “r” represents the correlation coefficient. If the “r” equals 1 then the correlation coefficient is perfect. The closer the “r” gets to 1, the stronger the association r = .80 is stronger than r = .30