Final Exam Terms

Question 0

A synthesis do existing published writings that describes what is known or has been studied regarding the particular research question or purpose

Answer 0

Literature review

Question 1

The spreading or sharing of knowledge, communication of new knowledge from research so that it is adopted in practice

Answer 1

Dissemination

Question 2

A numerical statement of the percentage of the time the results reported would have happened by chance alone.

Answer 2

P value

For example, a p value of .05 means that in only 5 out of 100 times would one expect to get the results by chance alone

Question 3

A prediction regarding the relationships or effects or selected factors on other factors under study

Answer 3

Hypothesis

Question 4

The aspects of how the study was conducted that create uncertainty concerning the conclusion that can be derived from the study as well as the decisions that can be based on it

Answer 4

Limitations

Question 5

The end of a research report identifies the final decisions or determinations regarding the research problem

Answer 5

Conclusions

Question 6

Approaches to research that focuses on understanding the complexity of humans within the context of their lives and tend to focus on building a whole or complete picture of a phenomenon of interest

Answer 6

Qualitative methods

Question 7

What type of methods involve the collection of information as it is expressed naturally by people within the normal context of their lives

Answer 7

Qualitative methods

Question 8

Approaches to research that focus on understanding the breaking down of different parts of a picture to see how they do or do not connect

Answer 8

Quantitative methods

Question 9

Type of method that involve the collection of information that is very specific and limited to particular pieces of information being studied

Answer 9

Quantitative methods

Question 10

A summary or condensed version of the research report

Answer 10

Abstract

Question 11

A subset of the total group of interest in a research study; the individuals in the sample are actually studied to learn about the total group

Answer 11

Sample

Question 12

The entire group of individuals about whom we are interested in gaining knowledge

Answer 12

Populations

Question 13

A process that pulls information together or examines connections between pieces of information to make a clearer picture of all the information collected

Answer 13

Data analysis

Question 14

The point at which all new information collected is redundant of information already collected

Answer 14

Data saturation

Question 15

The outcome variable of interest; it is the variable that depends on other variables in the study

Answer 15

Dependent variable

Question 16

Those factors in a study that are used to explain or predict the outcome of interest; also called predictor variables

Answer 16

Independent variable

Question 17

A type of distribution for a variable that is shaped like a bell and is symmetrical

Answer 17

Normal curve

Question 18

A distribution where the middle of the distribution is not in the exact center; the middle or peak of the distribution is to the left or right of the center

Answer 18

Skewed curve

Question 19

A measure or statistic that indicates the center of a distribution or the center of the spread of the values for the variables

Answer 19

Central tendency

Question 20

An abstract explanation describing how different factors or phenomena relate

Answer 20

Theory

Question 21

Descriptive information about the characteristics of the people studied

Answer 21

Demographics

Question 22

A randomly assigned group of subjects that is not exposed to the independent variable of interest to be able to compare that group to a group that is exposed to the independent variable

Answer 22

Control group

Question 23

Inclusion of this is a hallmark of an experimental design

Answer 23

Control group

Question 24

Selection of individuals from the population who have one or more characteristics that are important to the purpose of the study; these characteristics are used to establish limits or quotas on the number of subjects who will be included in the study

Answer 24

Quota sampling

Question 25

Strategies to assure that every member of a population has an equal opportunity to be in the study

Answer 25

Probability sampling

Question 26

A strategy for recruiting individuals in a study that starts with one participant or member of the population and then uses that members contacts to identify other potential participants

Answer 26

Snowball sampling

Question 27

Documentation of the participants tone, expressions, and associated actions, and what is going on in the setting at the same time ; they are a record of the researchers observations about the overall setting experience of the data collection process while in that setting or field itself

Answer 27

Field notes

Question 28

A variable that is defined as specific, concrete terms of measurement

Answer 28

Operational definition

Question 29

A term used in research to refer to a device that specifies and objectifies the process of collecting data

Answer 29

Instrument

Question 30

A gap in existing knowledge that warrants filling and can be addressed through systematic study

Answer 30

Research problem

Question 31

An underlying structure for building and testing knowledge that is made up of concepts and the relationship among the concepts

Answer 31

Conceptual framework

Question 32

The critique of scholarly work by two or more individuals who have at least equivalent knowledge regarding the topic of the work as the author of that work

Answer 32

Peer review

Question 33

The statistical test used to examine how much two variables covary; a measure of the relationship between two variables

Answer 33

Correlation

Question 34

How accurately a measure actually yields information about the true or real variable being studied

Answer 34

Validity

Question 35

The consistency with which a measure can be counted on to give the same result if the aspect being measured has not changed

Answer 35

Reliability

Question 36

The range of values for a variable, which would be found in 95 out of 100 samples

Answer 36

Confidence intervals

Question 37

What set the boundaries for a variable or test statistic

Answer 37

Confidence intervals

Question 38

A group of members selected for the explicit purpose of reviewing any proposed research study to be implemented within an institution or by employees of an institution to ensure that the research project includes procedures to protect the rights of its subjects

Answer 38

IRB- institutional review board

Question 39

The overall plan for acquiring new knowledge or confirming existing knowledge; the plan the systematic collection of information in a manner that assures the answer(s) found will be as meaningful and accurate as possible

Answer 39

Research design

Question 40

The extent to which the results if a study can be applied to other groups or situations; how accurate the study is in providing knowledge that can be applied outside of or external to the study itself

Answer 40

External validity

Question 41

A threat to internal validity that refers to the loss of subjects from a study due to a consistent factor that is related to the dependent variable

Answer 41

Mortality

Question 42

A threat to external validity that occurs when subjects in a study change simply because they are being studied ; no matter what intervention is applied

Answer 42

Hawthorne effect

Question 43

Reactivity and the _________ are the same concept

Answer 43

Hawthorne effect

Question 44

Ideas that are taken for granted or viewed as truth without conscious or explicit testing

Answer 44

Assumptions

Question 45

The unintended factor that results of the study in a manner that can lead to incorrect conclusions

Answer 45

Bias

Question 46

A small research study that is implemented for the purpose of developing and demonstrating the effectiveness or selected measures and methods

Answer 46

Pilot study