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.
Quantitative Variable
Quantitative variables have meaningful numerical values.
Quantitative variables represent an interval or ratio measurement.
Ex.: Household income, level of pollution (ppm)
Qualitative Variable
Qualitative variables are not associated with meaningful numerical values.
Qualitative variables represent a nominal or ordinal measurement.
Ex.: zoning classification.
Continuous Variable
Variables that can take on an infinite number of values, both positive and negative.
Discrete Variable
A variable limited to a finite number of discrete values. Discrete variables cannot be negative.
Ex.: Number of accidents per month.
Binary or Dichotomous Variable
Type of discrete variable which can only take on two values, typically 0 or 1.
Descriptive Statistic
Statistic describing the characteristics of a group of values in a population or sample.
Ex.: Mean, median, range.
Inferential Statistics
Use of probability theory to determine the characteristics of a population based on observations made from a sample from that population.
Linear Method
Type of population estimation that uses the change in population over a period of time and extrapolates that population into the future.
Symptomatic Method
Type of population estimation that uses any available data related to population size to estimate the future population using a ratio.
Ex.: Average household size is 2.5 people, and a community built 100 homes, so population will likely increase by 250.
Step-Down Ratio Method
Type of population estimation that uses the ratio of a population of two difference geographical units (city v. state) at a known point to estimate future population.
Distributed Housing Unit Method
Type of population estimation that multiples census bureau data for the number of housing units by the occupancy rate and persons per household. Works best for slow-growth areas.
Cohort Survival Method
Type of population estimation that uses the current population plus natural increase (births) and net migration to calculation future population.
Ex.: Population pyramids
Economic Base Analysis
Economic analysis method that looks at basic (exports) and non-basic (locally-oriented) activities.
Location quotient is used to compare local employment to national employment. A location quotient less than 1 indicates an importing economy.
Shift-Share Analysis
Economic analysis method that analyzes a local economy in comparison with a larger economy. Uses employment data by sector for two different points in time.
Input-Output Analysis
Economic analysis method that links suppliers and purchasers to determine the economic output of a region. Uses the economy’s structure to determine the economy in the future.
Appreciative Inquiry Summit
A multi-day large event designed to bring people together to agree on changes that are needed in the community or organization. These summits last for 2-5 days and have between 100-250 participants.
What is the smallest geographic unit for the decennial census?
(in order from biggest to smallest)
State
Place
County
Census Tract
Census Block Group
Census Block
ACS 5-year samples are available for tracts and block groups, but may have high margin of error.
How often does the Census update urbanized area boundaries?
The Census Bureau reviews and updates urbanized area and urban cluster boundaries every ten years, following the decennial census. Census blocks provide the “building blocks” for measuring population density and delineating each urban area. Because population estimates and American Community Survey data are not available at the census block-level, the Census Bureau does not possess a nationally consistent set of population data at the level of geographic detail needed to delineate urban areas between censuses.
Top 5 household surveys conducted by the Census Bureau
- American Community Survey (ACS)
- Current Population Survey
- National Health Interview Survey
- National Crime Victim Survey
- Household Pulse Survey (American Household Survey)
Multi-attribute Utility Analysis
Multi-attribute Utility Analysis allows for weighting of a series of values dimensions. For example, participants are given a number of points that can be allocated between the value dimensions or participants can be asked which of two values is more important.
What is a Metropolitan Statistic Area?
A Metropolitan statistical area is a census designated place that includes a central city plus adjacent communities to which it is linked economically.
What is a Micropolitan Statistical Area?
Urban areas in the United States based around an urban cluster (urban area) with a population of 10,000 to 49,999.
Non-Sampling Error
Issues during data collection that result in unreliable data (such as a participant misinterpreting the question).
Regression Analysis
Used for analyzing how different factors might influence an objective (e.g., the impact of several different factors for preventing foreclosure).
Ripple Effect Mapping (REM)
When participants look back over a period of time and create a visual map of direct and indirect impacts of community engagement.
