Research Process Key Words

Question 1

A design of experimental research design in which the only measurement that takes place is the impact of the experimental and control interventions, which are measured after the manipulation of the independent variable.

Answer 1

After-only design

Post-test only design

Question 2

A non-probability sampling strategy whereby the researcher recruits the most readily available participants who meet the study’s inclusion criteria.

Answer 2

Convenience sampling
Opportunistic sampling
Accidental sampling

Question 3

A design of experimental research which involves the collection of dependent variable data before and after the independent variable is introduced

Answer 3

Before and after design

Pre-test, post-test deign

Question 4

A design of experimental research which involves two separate groups of participants.

Answer 4

Between participant

Question 5

Literature search operators which allow the inclusion of multiple words and concepts searches.

Answer 5

Boolean operators

Question 6

A non-probability sampling strategy which involves the identification of potential participants through referrals from earlier participants.

Answer 6

Snowball sampling
Network sampling
Nominated sampling
Chain sampling

Question 7

An analysis which is directly relevant to patients’s situation.

Answer 7

Clinical effectiveness

Question 8

A type of probability sampling. The study total population is divided into sub-groups or clusters. The clusters are then selected randomly. Either the whole cluster participants in the study or participant may be randomly selected from the cluster.

Answer 8

Cluster sampling

Question 9

The outcome measure of a study which has previously been confirmed or established in another study

Answer 9

Construct validity

Question 10

The extent to which a data collection encompasses all aspects of the variables being measured.

Answer 10

Content validity

Question 11

A non-experimental research design which involves the collection of data in order to determine links or association between variables.

Answer 11

Correlation design

Question 12

A term used in the context of qualitative data analysis whereby consideration is given to whether the findings are realistic or believable

Answer 12

Credibility

Question 13

identifying a study’s strengths, weakness and limitations in an objective and balanced way to determine whether it is valid and reliable or trustworthy.

Answer 13

Critical appraisal

Question 14

An experimental research design in which participants act as their own control. During the course of the study each participant is exposed to both the experiment and control treatment.

Answer 14

Within-Participant
Repeated measures design
Cross-over design

Question 15

A non-experimental research design which involves data collection at on point in time from a cross-section of a defined population.

Answer 15

Cross-sectional design
One-hit design
One-shot design

Question 16

A non-experimental research design which involves a panel of experts recruited with the aim of reaching consensus about the topic under investigation through rounds of data collection.

Answer 16

Delphi design

Question 17

A non-experimental research design which involves the collection of data retrospectively whereby the dependent variable has already been affected by the independent variable.

Answer 17

After the fact design
Retrospective design
Ex post facto design

Question 18

The extent to which the findings can be generalised to the total population and other settings

Answer 18

External validity

Question 19

The extent to which a data collection tool appears to measure what is intended.

Answer 19

Face validity

Question 20

A non-experimental research design which involves the repeated collection of data at pre-specified intervals from the same sample over a set or on-going period of time.

Answer 20

Longitudinal design
Panel or trend design
Follow-up design

Question 21

The extent to which other possible explanations of the findings can be excluded.

Answer 21

Internal validity

Question 22

A non-probability sampling strategy whereby the researcher decides which potential participants to invite to take part in a study.

Answer 22

Purposive sampling
Purposeful sampling
Judgement sampling

Question 23

Combines probability and non-probability sampling whereby a list is made of all participants in the population. The first participant is selected randomly and from then on every nth participant is selected.

Answer 23

List sampling

Systematic sampling

Question 24

An experiment design in which participants in the experimental and control groups are matched as closely as possible.

Answer 24

Matched pair design

Question 25

A scholarly analysis and summary of several papers relating to a particular topic

Answer 25

Narrative review

Question 26

When whatever is done first influences the final findings of the study.

Answer 26

Order effect

Question 27

A non-probability sampling strategy whereby the researcher pre-specifies the required characteristics of a sample to ensure the final sample includes a certain number with each characteristics.

Answer 27

Quota sampling