TERMINOLOGY

Question 1

Metaphysics

Answer 1

A branch of philosophy that investigates the ultimate nature of reality. What we can know.

Question 2

Idealism

Answer 2

An epistemological stance that maintains that the world exists, but that different people construe it in different ways. Each has their own reality.

Question 3

Reductionism (materialism)

Answer 3

An epistemological stance that only physical things and their interactions exist and that our minds and consciousness are wholly due to active operation of materials.

Question 4

Epistemology

Answer 4

The theory of knowledge, especially about its validation and the methods used. Often used in connection with one’s epistemological standpoint – how one sees and makes sense of the world. How we can know it.

Question 5

Empiricism

Answer 5

Knowledge gained by sensory experience (observation) (using inductive reasoning)

Question 6

Rationalism

Answer 6

Knowledge gained by reasoning (using deductive reasoning)

Question 7

Inductive Reasoning

Answer 7

Makes broad generalizations from specific observations

Question 8

Deductive Reasoning

Answer 8

Starts out with a general statement, or hypothesis, and examines the possibilities to reach a specific, logical conclusion

Question 9

Hypothesis

Answer 9

A testable statement of prediction about the relationship between at least two events, characteristics, or variables.

Question 10

Reliability

Answer 10

Refers to the consistency of a research study or measuring test.

Question 11

Validity

Answer 11

Refers to a tests ability to measure what it is supposed to measure.

Question 12

Parsimony

Answer 12

Principle that the simplest explanation that can explain the data is to be preferred

Question 13

Positivism

Answer 13

An epistemological stance that maintains that all phenomena, including social, can be analysed using scientific method. Everything can be measured and if only one knew enough, the causes and effect of all phenomena could be uncovered.

Question 14

Relativism

Answer 14

The stance that implies that judgement is principally dependent on the values of the individual or society and the perspectives from which they make their judgement. No universal criteria ca be ‘rationally’ applied, and an understanding of decisions made by individuals or organisations can only be gained through knowledge of the historical, psychological and social backgrounds of the individuals.

Question 15

Theory

Answer 15

Idea or set of ideas used to explain observations

Question 16

Nominal data

Answer 16

Provides labels in order for data to be placed into categories

Question 17

Ordinal data

Answer 17

Ordering data by rank without reference to specific measurement i.e. more or less than.

Question 18

Interval data

Answer 18

The use of equal units of measurement but without a significant zero value.

Question 19

Ratio data

Answer 19

A scale with equal units of measurement and containing a true zero value.

Question 20

Cronbach’s Alpha

Answer 20

Is a measure of internal consistency, that is, how closely related a set of items are as a group. It is considered to be a measure of scale reliability. A “high” value for alpha does not imply that the measure is unidimensional. If, in addition to measuring internal consistency, you wish to provide evidence that the scale in question is unidimensional, additional analyses can be performed. Exploratory factor analysis is one method of checking dimensionality. Technically speaking, Cronbach’s alpha is not a statistical test – it is a coefficient of reliability (or consistency).

Question 21

Independent Variable

Answer 21

A variable that, when manipulated causes an effect or change on the dependent variable. The changed variable.

Question 22

Dependent Variable

Answer 22

A variable that is expected to be affected by a manipulation of the independent variable. The measured variable.

Question 23

Operationalisation

Answer 23

The process of strictly defining variables into measurable factors

Question 24

Empirical Criterion

Answer 24

The link between research questions and data, or. between concepts and their empirical indicators

Question 25

Quantitative

Answer 25

Data which is numerical.

Question 26

Qualitative

Answer 26

Qualitative data are measures of ‘types’ and may be represented by a name, symbol, or a number code

Question 27

Correlation

Answer 27

The measure of relationship between two Interval or Ratio variables.

Question 28

t-test

Answer 28

Is a statistical measurement of the difference between two groups of data. The t-value indicates the amount of difference between the two groups, and which group scores more. Cannot compare more than two groups of data… BUT There are multiple types of t-tests

Question 29

ANOVA

Answer 29

Analysis of variance is a collection of statistical models and their associated estimation procedures used to analyse the differences among group means in a sample. the variation in a set of observations is divided into distinct components.

Question 30

Regression

Answer 30

A type of statistical analysis that uses simple and multiple predictions to predict Y from X value.

Question 31

Grounded theory

Answer 31

A type of research that develops theory on the basis of reciprocal phases of qualitative data collection, analysis and theory of building, each phase informing the next. Sets out to discover or construct theory from data.

Question 32

Typology

Answer 32

An ordering of cases or data according to types and specific characteristics.

Question 33

Taxonomy

Answer 33

The branch of science concerned with classification, especially of organisms; systematics. a classification of something.

Question 34

Hermeneutics

Answer 34

The branch of knowledge that deals with interpretation, especially of the Bible or literary texts.