Research and Program Evaluation Flashcards
cohen’s d effect size
(ES): used to gauge how strong a relationship exists
Kurt Lewins concept of action research
goes beyond advancing knowledge and works to improve situation. Bridges gap between research and application.
experiement
most valuable type of research, used to discover cause and effect. Must have treatment controlled via experimenter and random assignments used in groups.
quasi experiment
researcher uses pre-existing groups, so ind variable cannot be altered. Cannot state with any degree of stat confidence that the ind variable caused dep variable
ex post factor study
“after the fact”. Correlational study using pre-exisiting groups.
Internal validity: whether depp variable (DV) were truly influenced by experimental ind variables (IV).
external validity
whether the experimental research results can be generalized to larger populations (i.e. other ppl, settings, conditions)
factor analysis
stat procedure htat uses important or underlying factors in an attempt to summarize a lot o variables. Ex: a test that measures a counselors ability using 3 most imp variables or factors that make an effective helper even though there are hundreds of factors that might exist.
chi square
stat measure that tests whether an actual distr. Differs sig. From expected theoretical dist
parsimony
interpreting results in simplest way. Strive for parsimony in research (looking for least complex explanation)
occams razor
experimenters will interpret results in simplest manner (interchangable with parsimony)
conway lloyd morgan
english psychologys, physiologist. Created principle of economy in 1894 cannon
william of occam
14th cent. Philosopher, early behaviorists adhere closely to occams razor
bubbles
refers to flaws in research
contaminating variable
variable that enters experiment that is not being controlled by researcher (aka confounding variable)
basic research
research conducted to advance understanding of theory
appplied research
aka action research or experience-near research. Conducted to advance knowledge of how theories skills techniques can be used in practical application.
variable
behavior or circumstance that can exist on at least 2 levels or conditions. Factor that varies or is capable of change.
ind var IV
var. That researcher manipulates or wishes to experiment with
dep var. DV
expresses outcome of data
discrete var
categories
continuous var.
has range
causal comparitive design
true experiment apart that the groups were not randomly assigned.
code of ethics for researchers
inform subjects of risks, remove negative after effects from research, allow subjects to withdraw at any point, protect confidentiality, present results in accurate and not misleading format, should only use techniques you are trained in.
control group
do not receive IV