Chapter 1 Flashcards
(29 cards)
Deductive reasoning
Coming to specific conclusions based on general principles
Inductive reasoning
Making generalizations based on some limited observations/experiences
Scientific method
Orderly process that entails
- Recognition of a problem
- Formulation of hypotheses
- Collection of data
- Statement of conclusions regarding confirmation or disconfirmation of hypotheses
Hypothesis
An explanation for the occurrence of certain behaviors, phenomena, or events
Research
Formal, systematic application of the scientific method to the study of problems
Educational research
Formal, systematic application of the scientific method to the study of educational problems
Goal of educational research
To describe, explain, predict, or control educational phenomena
Quantitative research
The collection and analysis of numerical data to describe, explain, predict, or control phenomena of interest
- states hypothesis before data collection
- context is controlled by researcher
Qualitative research
Collection, analysis, and interpretation of comprehensive narrative and visual (nonnumerical) data to gain insights into a particular phenomenon of interest
- often avoids stating hypothesis before data collection
- context not controlled by researcher
- qualitative researchers argue that all meaning is situated in a particular perspective or context
Naturalistic research
- another term for qualitative research
- called this because data is collected in a naturalistic setting
- also called naturalistic inquiry or field-oriented research
List the types of quantitative research approaches
- survey research
- correlation all research
- causal-comparative research
- experimental research
- single-subject research
Survey research
- determines and reports the way things are
- involves collecting numerical data
- data usually collected through questionnaires, interviews, and observations
- often assesses the preferences, attitudes, practices, concerns, or interests of a group of people
Correlational research
Involves collecting data to determine whether, and to what degree, a relation exists between two or more quantifiable variables
- requires information about at least 2 variables obtained from a single group of participants
- correlation does not mean causation
- can show that one factor is a good predictor of the other
Causal-comparative research
Attempts to determine the cause, or reason, for existing differences in the behavior or status of groups of individuals
- compares two groups
- a weakness is that the researcher has no control over the variables and it cannot make clear cause-effect links
Grouping variable
A behavior or characteristic believed to influence some other behavior or characteristic
-the cause
Dependent variable
The change or difference that occurs as a result of the grouping variable
-the effect
Experimental research
At least one independent variable is manipulated, other relevant variables are controlled, and the effect on one or more dependent variables is observed
-offers generalizability
Generalizability
Applicability of findings to settings and contexts different from the one in which they were obtained
Single subject research
Studies the behavior change that an individual or group exhibits as a result of some intervention or treatment
Interpretive research
Name for the qualitative research approaches
List the common types of qualitative research approaches
Narrative research
Ethnographic research
Case study research
Narrative research
The study of how different humans experience the world around them
- researcher collects stories about a person’s life
- researcher and participant construct a written account about the participants experiences and feelings about the experiences
Ethnographic research
Study of the cultural patterns and perspectives of participants in their natural settings
- successful ethnographic research can provide guidelines that enable an outsider to know how to think and behave in a certain culture
- also called ethnography
Case study research
A qualitative research approach to conducting research on a unit of study or bounded system