statistical concepts and methods in research Flashcards
Accuracy
The degree of closeness between a measurement and its true value.
Apparency
clear, understandable representation of the data
Bell curve
A frequency distribution statistics. Normal distribution is shaped like a bell.
Case Study
a detailed study of a specific subject, such as a person, group, place, event, organization, or phenomenon. it relies on observations, facts and experiments to gather information
Control Group
A group in an experiment that receives not treatment in order to compare the treated group against a norm.
Correlation
is a statistical measure that expresses the extent to which two variables are linearly related (meaning they change together at a constant rate). It’s a common tool for describing simple relationships without making a statement about cause and effect.
Data
Recorded observations, and information that has been collected, observed, generated or created to validate original research findings.
Credibility
A researcher’s ability to demonstrate that the object of a study is accurately identified and described , based on the way in which the study was conducted
Deductive
A form of reasoning in which conclusions are formulated about particulars from general or universal premises
Dependability
refers to the degree of consistency, reliability, and stability of findings and interpretations throughout the research process.
Design Flexibility
a form of design which allows for interim feedback that may change the course of a trial or experiment. It’s sometimes used synonymously with adaptive design.
Deviation
a measure of how dispersed the data is in relation to the mean. the distance from the center point
Empirical Research
based on observed and measured phenomena and derives knowledge from actual experience rather than from theory or belief.
Experiment
a scientific procedure undertaken to make a discovery, test a hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact.
Factor Analysis
A statistical test that explores relationships among data. The test explores which variables in a data set are most related to each other. In a carefully constructed survey.
Hypothesis
a concept or idea that you test through research and experiments. In other words, it is a prediction that is can be tested by research
Independent Variable
aren’t affected by any other variables that the study measures(ie. age, size, weight).
Inductive
a method in which the researcher collects and analyzes data to develop theories, concepts, or hypotheses based on patterns and observations seen in the data.
Interviews
Research tool in which a researcher asks questions of participants; often audio-video taped for later transcription and analysis.
Irrelevant Information
One must decide what to do with the information in the text that is not coded. Options include either deleting or skipping over unwanted materia, or viewing all information and using it to reexamine, reassess or even alter one’s coding scheme.
Kinesics
Analysis that examines what is communicated through body movement. the interpretation of body communication such as facial expressions and gestures, nonverbal behavior related to movement of any part of the body or the body as a whole.
Mean
also known as the average, is the total sum of values in a sample divided by the number of values in your sample.
Narrative Inquiry
records the experiences of an individual or small group, revealing the lived experience or particular perspective of that individual, usually primarily through interview which is then recorded and ordered into a chronological narrative.
Parameter
It refers to the characteristics that are used to define a given population. It is used to describe a specific characteristic of the entire population.
Phenomenology
a form of qualitative research, which looks in-depth at non-numerical data and uses interviews and observation notes. Examples include interviewing families and parents, talking to kids, and looking for patterns in a message.
Population
Target group under investigation. The entire set is under consideration.
Probability
chance that a phenomenon has of occurring randomly. A statistical measure, it is shown as the p (“p” factor)
Qualitative Research
involves collecting and analyzing non-numerical data (e.g., text, video, or audio) to understand concepts, opinions, or experiences. is used to understand people’s beliefs, experiences, attitudes, behavior, and interactions.Case study, observation, and ethnography are all considered forms of this type of research. Results are not considered generalizable, but often transferable.
Quantitative Research
involves analyzing and gathering numerical data to uncover trends, calculate averages, evaluate relationships, and derive overarching insights.
Random Sampling
Process used in research to draw a sample population strictly by chance, yielding no discernible pattern beyond chance.
Randomization
a process in research where participants are assigned to groups at random, with each participant having an equal chance of being assigned to any group. it is a fundamental part of scientific research methodology and is used in human clinical trials and other biological experiments.
Selective Randomization
a method of randomizing within certain groups to ensure that a variable is distributed equally.
Standard Deviation
tells you how spread out the data is. It is a measure of how far each observed value is from the mean.
Survey
an activity in which many people are asked a question or a series of questions in order to gather information about what most people do or think about something
Unique case orientation
is a research method that assumes each case is unique and special. The first level of analysis is to be true to, respect, and capture the details of the individual cases being studied. This is especially necessary for doing cultural comparisons.
Validity
is the degree to which a method measures what it is intended to measure, and how well the results represent true findings among similar individuals outside the study.
Variable
Observable characteristics that vary among individuals.
Correlation Coefficient
is a statistical measure that expresses the extent to which two variables are linearly related (meaning they change together at a constant rate). It’s a common tool for describing simple relationships without making a statement about cause and effect.
Reliability Coefficient
A number between zero and one that represents how consistent and dependable a test is. The higher the number is the more reliable it is.
Standard Error of Measurement
An estimate of the variation in test scores that might occur due to an error in measurements . Helps determine the reliability of the test scores.
Stanine
Method of transforming individual test scores into a 9 point scale. Makes it simpler to compare scores among groups.
T-Scores
statistical method for analyzing probability. It’s also known as a t-value.
Variance
How much data points in a set of data differs from the average (mean). A higher number means the data points are more spread out from the mean. While a lower number means the data points are closer to the mean.
z-scores
How many deviations a given data point lies above or below the mean.
