Exam 1 Flashcards
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Research question
Research has selected a topic and formulated a research question.
Very specific and clear to what extent it will be studied.
What are Variables?
Variable is a measurable property that differs among entities or across time.
Variables need to be specific.
Levels of variable
Conceptual and Operational (measurement)
Conceptual Definition
Describe the theoretical meaning of a variable
Operational Definition
Provides a tool for quantification and measurement of a variable
Identifying variables
Identify the variables of interest. Informed by the research question and guides hypothesis. Need clearly defined IV and DVs
Independent variable
What you are manipulating. Independent of other variables
Dependent variables
What you are measuring (outcome) Affected by changes in an IV
Forming the Hypothesis
The hypothesis is the expected results of the study. It is based on theory and/or previous research. Hypothesis must be testable. Two types
Null hypothesis
The prediction that there are no differences among treatments or no relationship among variables. Denoted by H0
Alternative Hypothesis
Prediction that there are differences among treatments or there is a relationship among variables. Denoted by H1. Directional or Non-Directional
Directional hypothesis
Predicts specific relationship/outcome and the direction. Example: the people that come to class will do better on the final exam
Non-directional hypothesis
There will be a difference but not sure where. Example: there will be a difference in the Mid-Term from people who come to class compared to those who don’t
Understanding the Null and Alternative Hypothesis
In scientific research, we always either: Reject the null hypothesis or fail to reject the null hypothesis or accept the alternative. We do not ‘accept’ the null hypothesis and we do not ‘prove’ or ‘disprove’ a hypothesis
data collection
need to decide on the specific procedures to gather the data to test hypotheses. consider: design, validity, reliability, sampling techniques
study designs
experimental, quasi-experiment, qualitative
Study validity
internal and external
internal validity
extent to which the results of a study can be attributed to the treatments used in the study
external validity
the generalizability of the results of a study. we want to infer our sample findings to the population
test validity
degree to which a test/instrument measures what it is supposed to measure
reliability
refers to consistency/repeatability of a measure. a test cannot be valid if it is not reliable. however, a test can be reliable but not valid
population
a large group of people from which a sample is taken. estimate population characteristics from a sample. larger samples more representative or generalizable. sample type, too specific: lose generality
probability sampling
every person has an equal probability of being selected. includes: random selection, systematic sampling, and stratified sampling
non-probability sampling
no assurance is given that each item has a chance of being selected. includes: convenience sampling and purposive sampling