Research Methods Flashcards
Inductive Research
theoretical concepts and patterns inferred through observed data
deductive research
Planned research relying on scientific method
Scientific Method Research must have the following 4 characteristics:
1) replicability
2) precision - an operational definition is created to specify what is being measured.
3) Research must be falsifiable - the ability to obtain results that disprove the hypothesis
4) Parsimony - prioritization of the least complex and most logical explanation of results
Construct
an abstract concept that is specifically chosen (or created) to explain a given phenomenon.
descriptive research
Research that is directed at making careful observation and detailed documentation of an identified phenomenon. Observations here are based on the scientific method.
epistemology (research)
Researcher/research consumer’s assumptions about the best way to do research
Exploratory Research
applies to new areas of research
- scope out the magnitude or extent of a phenomenon
- generate initial research direction (hunches)
- test the feasibility of undertaking a more extensive study regarding the phenomenon
Ontology
refers to our assumptions about how we see the world
Operational Definitions
defines constructs in terms of how they will be empirically measured.
Operationalization
The process of designing precise measures for abstract theoretical constructs.
sampling (n.)
the target population from which they wish to collect data.
Unit of Analysis
refers to the person, collective group, or object who/that is the target of the investigation.
Quality of a research design is a produce of 4 key attributes:
Internal Validity/causality
External Validity/generalizability
Construct Validity
Statistical Conclusion Validity
Internal Validity (Causality)
- whether the observed change in a dependent variable is indeed caused by a corresponding change in a hypothesized independent variable (not by extraneous variables)
External Validity
generalizability - to whether the observed associations can be generalized from the sample to the population or to other people
Construct Validity
Examines how well a given measurement scale is measuring the theoretical construct that it is expected to measure
statistical conclusion validity
examines the extent to which conclusions derived using a statistical procedure are valid.
Experimental Studies
studies that are intended to test cause-effect relationships
Field Surveys
give two examples
1) Non-experimental designs that do not control for or manipulate independent variable or manualized treatments but do measure operationalized variables and test their effects using statistical methods.
2) survey questionnaire; structuralized interviews
secondary data analysis
an analysis of data that has previously been collected and tabulated by other sources.
case research
an in-depth investigation of a problem in one or more real life settings over an extended period of time. Also called Case Study
Focus Group Research
a type of research that involves bringing in a small group of subjects at one location and having them discuss a phenomenon of interest for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Ethnography
An interpretive research design emphasizing that research phenomenon must be studied within the context of its native culture. The researcher is deeply immersed in a certain culture over an extended period of time. During that period engages observes and records the daily life of the studied culture and theorizes about the evolution and behaviors in that culture.
Survey Research
A research method involving the use of standardized questionnaires or interviews to collect data about people and their preferences, thoughts and behaviors in a systematic manner.
interview survey
interviews are a more personalized form of data collection method and are conducted by trained interviewers using the same research protocol as questionnaire surveys
Qualitative Analysis
The process of analysing qualitative data preponderantly involves writing or categorising the information. Primarily it involves making sense of massive amounts of data by reducing the amount of raw information, followed by distinctive important patterns, and eventually drawing meaningful knowledge and later building a logical pattern.
https://www.educba.com/what-is-qualitative-data-analysis/
grounded theory
Grounded theory is a qualitative research approach that attempts to uncover the meanings of people’s social actions, interactions and experiences. These explanations are called ‘grounded’ because they are grounded in the participants’ own explanations or interpretations.
Researchers collect data through any means they prefer and then analyze the facts to arrive at concepts. Through a comparison of these concepts, they plan theories. They continue until they reach sample saturation, in which no new information upsets the theory they have formulated. Then they put forth their final theory.
mean
the simple average of all values in a given distribution
Median
The middle vaue within a reange of vlaues in a distribution.
Mode
the most frequently occurring value in a distribution of values.
Range
The scope of the values smallest through greatest.
standard deviation
the second measure of dispersion which corrects for such outliers by using a formula that takes into account how close or how far each value lands relative to the distribution mean.
correlation
a value between -1 and +1 denoting the strength of the relationship between two variables
statistical significance
a determination made by an analyst that the results in the data are not explainable by chance alone.
The strength of results is only as strong as the extent to which it demonstrates
Reliability
Validity
Inter-Rater Reliability (inter-observer reliability)
a measure of consistency between two or more independent raters of the same construct
Test-Retest Reliability
measures the consistency between two measurements of the same construct administered to the same sampel at two different points of time.
split-half reliability
measure the consistency between two halves of a construct measure (best method for checking internal consistency) Can only be used if the entire test is testing one construct.
internal consistency reliability
measures consistency between different items of the same construct
I like to ride bicycles +
I have ridden bicycles in the past +
I hate bicycles -
validity
The extent to which a measure adequately represent the underlying construct that it is supposed to measure
