Research and Assessment Methods Flashcards
Qualitative Research
An approach for understanding the meaning individuals and groups ascribe to a human or social problem.
Emerging questions.
Flexible written report.
Analysis building from particular data to general themes (inductive).
Quantitative Research
An approach for testing objective theories by examining the relationship among variables (deductive).
Numbered data which can be analyzed using statistical procedures.
Structured written report.
Mixed Methods Research
Collection of both qualitative and quantitative research.
Integrating the two forms of data.
May involve both philosophical assumptions and theoretical frameworks.
Assumes a more complete understanding of research problems than using one of the approaches alone.
Case Study Method
Example of Qualitative Research
Focuses on the study of a single case. Not usually designed to compare on person or group to another, but may be included in a comparative analysis as an illustrative example.
Comparative Analysis
Example of Qualitative Research
Analysis where data from different settings or groups at the same point in time, or from the same settings or groups over a period of time, are analyzed to identify similarities and differences.
Discourse Analysis
Example of Qualitative Research
Study of the way versions of the world/events/ are produced in the use of language and discourse. Often concerned with the construction of subjects within various forms of knowledge/power. Includes semiotics, deconstruction, and narrative analysis.
E-Research
Example of Qualitative Research
Using digital technology to undertake social research. Includes using the digital sphere as a site of research by examining social interaction in the e-infrastructure. Also called e-Science or e-Social Science.
Ethnography
Example of Qualitative Research
A multi-method approach that involves studying people in their “naturally occurring” setting (interviews, participant observations, discourse analysis). Involves the researcher participating directly in the study.
Field Research
Example of Qualitative Research
When a researcher goes to observe an everyday event in the environment where it occurs.
Grounded Theory
Example of Qualitative Research
Inductive form of research where data collection and analysis are conducted together. Theories are grounded in the observations, rather than generated in the abstract. Grounded theory develops the theory from the data collected, rather than applying a theory to the data.
Narrative Analysis
Example of Qualitative Research
Form of discourse analysis that seeks to study the textual devices at work in the constructions of process or sequence within a text. Requires a participant to talk about themselves, rather than respond to pre-determined questions. Works best when discussing a life-changing event.
What are the three steps in the statistical process?
- **Collect data **(e.g., surveys).
- Describe and summarize the distribution of the values in the data set.
- Interpret by means of inferential statistics and statistical modeling (i.e., draw general conclusions about the population based on the sample).
Nominal Data
Type of measurement.
Data classified into mutually exclusive groups that lack intrinsic order. The label of the categories does not matter and should not imply order.
Ex.: Social security numbers, zoning classification.
Ordinal Data
Type of measurement.
Data organized into categories implying ranking of the observations.
Ex.: Letter grades
Interval Data
Type of measurement.
Data with an ordered relationship, where the difference between the scales has a meaningful interpretation.
Ex.: Temperature. The difference between 40 and 30 degrees is the same as the difference between 30 and 20, but 40 is not twice as warm as 20 degrees.
Ratio Data
Type of measurement.
“Gold standard” of measurement, where both absolute and relative differences have meaning.
Ex.: Distance. The difference between 40 miles and 30 miles is the same as the difference between 30 and 20 miles, and 40 is twice the distance as 20.
