research process

Question 1

inductive reasoning

Answer 1

works by examining the details of the experience and then applying it to the bigger pictures
- moving from specific to general
- qualitative
- results from smaller groups and applying it to larger groups

Question 2

deductive reasoning

Answer 2

the process of starting with the bigger picture and then moving in a specific direction for practice and research
- reasoning from the general to the specific
- quantitative

Question 3

variables

Answer 3

are qualities, properties or characteristics of persons, things or situations that change or vary and are manipulated, measured or controlled in research
- elements that can be observed through the senses
ex: temperature, weight, BP

Question 4

concepts

Answer 4

is often an image or symbolic representation of an abstract idea or phenomena
ex: pain, knowledge, stress

Question 5

conceptual definition

Answer 5

• dictionary definition
• convey the general meaning of the variable or concept

Question 6

operational definition

Answer 6

• specifies how the concept or variable will be measured
  ex: pain will be measured using a pain scale of 0-10

Question 7

frameworks

Answer 7

provide the researcher with a general orientation to understanding the phenomenon and help to identify which factors are most important to the study
- conceptual
- theoretical

Question 8

conceptual framework

Answer 8

is a structure of concepts that is used to create a map for the study
- it defines the main ideas and network of relationships between them
- can be constructed from a review of the literature and integration of existing view and knowledge on the study’s topic

Question 9

theoretical framework

Answer 9

uses a specific, unified and high developed theory to guide the study
function:
- clarify concepts
- identify and state underlying assumptions of a study
- specify relationships among and between concepts
- a conceptual or theoretical model is a visual symbolic representation of the concepts in a framework

Question 10

theory

Answer 10

a set of interrelated concepts that serves the purpose of explaining or predicating the phenomena
like a blueprint - explains the variables or concepts and how they are related to each other