Research Problems, Questions, and Hypotheses

Question 0

construct

Answer 0

a complex abstract concept that is not directly observable, such as anxiety, intelligence, and self-concept

Question 1

research problem

Answer 1

a formal statement of the question or hypothesis that will be investigated through empirical research

Question 2

variable

Answer 2

an event, category, behavior, or attribute that expresses a construct and has different values, depending on how it is used in a study

Question 3

categorical variable

Answer 3

a variable used to divide subjects, objects, or entities into two or more groups

Question 4

continuous variable

Answer 4

a variable in which the property or attribute of an object, subject, or entity is measured numerically and can assume an infinite number of values within a range

Question 5

dependent variable

Answer 5

the measured variable that is the consequence of or depends on antecedent variables

Question 6

independent variable

Answer 6

a variable that is antecedent to or that precedes the depended variable; in an experimental design

Question 7

predictor variable

Answer 7

the antecedent variable in a prediction study

Question 8

criterion variable

Answer 8

in a prediction study, the variable that is predicted

Question 9

extraneous variable

Answer 9

uncontrolled variable that influences research results

Question 10

operational definition

Answer 10

a definition of a variable that is produced by specifying the activities or operations necessary to measure, categorize, or manipulate it

Question 11

central question

Answer 11

a general question that identifies the main phenomenon that is examined in a qualitative study

Question 12

foreshadowed problem

Answer 12

anticipated research problems that will be reformulated during data collection