Research and Program Evaluation Flashcards
(28 cards)
What is an independent variable (IV)?
The variable that is manipulated by the researcher
What is a dependent variable (DV)?
The variable that is measured as an outcome
What is a hypothesis?
A testable prediction about the relationship between variables
What is an experimental design?
Includes random assignment and control; tests causality
What is a quasi-experimental design?
Lacks random assignment; uses existing groups
What is a correlational study?
Examines the relationship between variables without causation
What is a single-subject design?
Tracks one participant over time across conditions
What is internal validity?
The extent to which the results are due to the IV, not other factors
What is external validity?
The extent to which results generalize to real-world settings
What is quantitative research?
Uses numbers, statistics, and measurable data
What is qualitative research?
Uses interviews, themes, and narrative descriptions
What is a t-test used for?
Comparing means between two groups
What is ANOVA used for?
Comparing means among three or more groups
What is a p-value?
The probability that the result occurred by chance
What does p < .05 mean?
There is less than a 5% chance the result is random; statistically significant
What is a Type I error?
False positive — saying there’s an effect when there isn’t
What is a Type II error?
False negative — missing a real effect
What is the mean?
The average of a data set
What is the median?
The middle score in a data set
What is the mode?
The most frequently occurring score
What is standard deviation?
A measure of how much scores vary around the mean
What is a needs assessment?
Identifies needs before starting a program
What is formative evaluation?
Assesses the program during implementation
What is summative evaluation?
Assesses outcomes after the program ends
