Research Methods Exam Flashcards
The Four Types of Knowledge
description, prediction, improvement, and explanation
Quantitative Research Question
a question about the relationship that exists between two or more variables
Qualitative Research Question
a question that asks a question about some process, issue, or phenomenon to be explored
Hypothesis
a testable prediction, often implied by a theory
Quantitative Research
research that collects and reports data primarily in numerical form
Independent Variable
a variable that is presumed to cause a change in another variable
Dependent Variable
a variable that is presumed to be influenced by one or more independent variables
Extraneous Variable
something unwanted or unexpected that might affect the dependent variable
Control Variable
a variable that is kept constant during a controlled experiment
True Experimental
quantitative research in which the researcher manipulates the independent variable
Pretest-Posttest
a research design that includes an observation both before and after the intervention
Posttest Only Control Group
giving a posttest to two randomly assigned groups of participants after one group has been given the experimental treatment condition
Posttest Only with Nonequivalent Groups
Comparing posttest performance of a group of participants given the experiment treatment with one that has not
Quasi-Experimental
has two goals: identifying relationships or phenomenon by its occurrences and creating predictions based on the patterns
ABAB Design
an experimental design, often involving a single subject, wherein a baseline period (A) is followed by a treatment (B). To confirm that the treatment resulted in a change in behavior, the treatment is then withdrawn (A) and reinstated (B).
Pre-Experimental
follows the basic experimental research steps but doesn’t include a control group; single group studied but no comparisons between a non-experimental group is made
One-Shot Case Study
a single group of subjects is measured on a dependent variable following an experimental stimulus
The One-Group Pretest-Posttest Design
an experiment in which a researcher recruits one group of participants; measures them on a pretest; exposes them to a treatment, intervention, or change; and then measures them on a posttest
The Static Group Comparison
includes experimental and control groups, but no pre-test; doesn’t reflect if a change has occurred
Descriptive Design
study designs in which the researcher defines a problem and variable of interest but makes no prediction and does not control or manipulate anything
Observational Design
observations made under precisely defined conditions, in a systematic and objective manner
Survey Design
research strategy in which participants are asked to complete a questionnaire or survey; nonexperimental research
Correlational Design
an attempt to determine the extent to which two variables are related
Causal-Comparative Design
an attempt to determine the cause of differences that already exist between or among groups of individuals
Qualitative Research
research that relies on what is seen in field or naturalist settings more than on statistical data
Postmodernism
a reaction to scientific or objective effort to explain reality; many, if not all, apparent realities are only social constructs and are subject to change
The Case Study Approach
a descriptive research approach that involves intensive examination of one or a few individuals
Ethnographic Research Methods
systematic observation of a completely social environment; in the field and/or in the culture which is being studied
Grounded Theory
an inductive method of generating theory from data by creating categories in which to place data and then looking for relationships among categories
The Phenomenological Approach
the assumption that one must appreciate individuals’ personal, subjective experiences to truly understand their behavior
The Historical Approach
the process of learning and understanding the background and growth of a chosen field of study or profession can offer insight into organizational culture, current trends, and about the future
Content Analysis
research tool used to find certain words in texts or sets of texts; analysis of presence, meaning, and relationships of those words/concepts then make inferences about them
Narrative Inquiry
research that views stories - whether gathered through field notes, interview, oral tales, blogs, letters, or autobiographies - as fundamental to human experience
Q Methodology
studies people’s “subjectivity” or viewpoints
Evidence-Based Practice
applying the best available research evidence in certain fields to enhance outcomes
Triangulation
the area under investigation is looked at from different (two or more) perspectives; can include two or more methods, sample groups or investigators
Sequential Explanatory Model
the collection and analysis of quantitative data followed by qualitative data, with priority given to quantitative data; two methods are integrated into interpretation phase of study
Sequential Exploratory Model
an initial phase of qualitative data collection and analysis, followed by a phase of quantitative data collection/analysis; priority given to qualitative aspects
Sequential Transformative Model
has two distinct data collection phases, but this model as a distinct theoretical perspective guiding the study; employs the methods that will best serve the theoretical perspective of the researcher
Concurrent Triangulation Model
model of choice when a researcher uses two different methods in an attempt to confirm, cross-validate, or corroborate findings within a single study; concurrent data collection for quantitative/qualitative phases
Concurrent Nested Model
one data collection phase; given less priority, one method (quantitative or qualitative) is embedded within another
Concurrent Transformative Model
guided by the researchers use of a specfiic theoretical perspective; can take design features from triangulation or nested approaches; assumes a transformative framework, which makes this more appealing to researchers operating from that orientation
