Research Methods

Question 1

Inductive Research

Answer 1

theoretical concepts and patterns inferred through observed data

Question 2

deductive research

Answer 2

Planned research relying on scientific method

Question 3

Scientific Method Research must have the following 4 characteristics:

Answer 3

1) replicability
2) precision - an operational definition is created to specify what is being measured.
3) Research must be falsifiable - the ability to obtain results that disprove the hypothesis
4) Parsimony - prioritization of the least complex and most logical explanation of results

Question 4

Construct

Answer 4

an abstract concept that is specifically chosen (or created) to explain a given phenomenon.

Question 5

descriptive research

Answer 5

Research that is directed at making careful observation and detailed documentation of an identified phenomenon. Observations here are based on the scientific method.

Question 6

epistemology (research)

Answer 6

Researcher/research consumer’s assumptions about the best way to do research

Question 7

Exploratory Research

Answer 7

applies to new areas of research

• scope out the magnitude or extent of a phenomenon
• generate initial research direction (hunches)
• test the feasibility of undertaking a more extensive study regarding the phenomenon

Question 8

Ontology

Answer 8

refers to our assumptions about how we see the world

Question 9

Operational Definitions

Answer 9

defines constructs in terms of how they will be empirically measured.

Question 10

Operationalization

Answer 10

The process of designing precise measures for abstract theoretical constructs.

Question 11

sampling (n.)

Answer 11

the target population from which they wish to collect data.

Question 12

Unit of Analysis

Answer 12

refers to the person, collective group, or object who/that is the target of the investigation.

Question 13

Quality of a research design is a produce of 4 key attributes:

Answer 13

Internal Validity/causality
External Validity/generalizability
Construct Validity
Statistical Conclusion Validity

Question 14

Internal Validity (Causality)

Answer 14

• whether the observed change in a dependent variable is indeed caused by a corresponding change in a hypothesized independent variable (not by extraneous variables)

Question 15

External Validity

Answer 15

generalizability - to whether the observed associations can be generalized from the sample to the population or to other people

Question 16

Construct Validity

Answer 16

Examines how well a given measurement scale is measuring the theoretical construct that it is expected to measure

Question 17

statistical conclusion validity

Answer 17

examines the extent to which conclusions derived using a statistical procedure are valid.

Question 18

Experimental Studies

Answer 18

studies that are intended to test cause-effect relationships

Question 19

Field Surveys

give two examples

Answer 19

1) Non-experimental designs that do not control for or manipulate independent variable or manualized treatments but do measure operationalized variables and test their effects using statistical methods.
2) survey questionnaire; structuralized interviews

Question 20

secondary data analysis

Answer 20

an analysis of data that has previously been collected and tabulated by other sources.

Question 21

case research

Answer 21

an in-depth investigation of a problem in one or more real life settings over an extended period of time. Also called Case Study

Question 22

Focus Group Research

Answer 22

a type of research that involves bringing in a small group of subjects at one location and having them discuss a phenomenon of interest for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Question 23

Ethnography

Answer 23

An interpretive research design emphasizing that research phenomenon must be studied within the context of its native culture. The researcher is deeply immersed in a certain culture over an extended period of time. During that period engages observes and records the daily life of the studied culture and theorizes about the evolution and behaviors in that culture.

Question 24

Survey Research

Answer 24

A research method involving the use of standardized questionnaires or interviews to collect data about people and their preferences, thoughts and behaviors in a systematic manner.

Question 25

interview survey

Answer 25

interviews are a more personalized form of data collection method and are conducted by trained interviewers using the same research protocol as questionnaire surveys

Question 26

Qualitative Analysis

Answer 26

The process of analysing qualitative data preponderantly involves writing or categorising the information. Primarily it involves making sense of massive amounts of data by reducing the amount of raw information, followed by distinctive important patterns, and eventually drawing meaningful knowledge and later building a logical pattern. https://www.educba.com/what-is-qualitative-data-analysis/

Question 27

grounded theory

Answer 27

Grounded theory is a qualitative research approach that attempts to uncover the meanings of people’s social actions, interactions and experiences. These explanations are called ‘grounded’ because they are grounded in the participants’ own explanations or interpretations. Researchers collect data through any means they prefer and then analyze the facts to arrive at concepts. Through a comparison of these concepts, they plan theories. They continue until they reach sample saturation, in which no new information upsets the theory they have formulated. Then they put forth their final theory.

Question 28

mean

Answer 28

the simple average of all values in a given distribution

Question 29

Median

Answer 29

The middle vaue within a reange of vlaues in a distribution.

Question 30

Mode

Answer 30

the most frequently occurring value in a distribution of values.

Question 31

Range

Answer 31

The scope of the values smallest through greatest.

Question 32

standard deviation

Answer 32

the second measure of dispersion which corrects for such outliers by using a formula that takes into account how close or how far each value lands relative to the distribution mean.

Question 33

correlation

Answer 33

a value between -1 and +1 denoting the strength of the relationship between two variables

Question 34

statistical significance

Answer 34

a determination made by an analyst that the results in the data are not explainable by chance alone.

Question 35

The strength of results is only as strong as the extent to which it demonstrates

Answer 35

Reliability | Validity

Question 36

Inter-Rater Reliability (inter-observer reliability)

Answer 36

a measure of consistency between two or more independent raters of the same construct

Question 37

Test-Retest Reliability

Answer 37

measures the consistency between two measurements of the same construct administered to the same sampel at two different points of time.

Question 38

split-half reliability

Answer 38

measure the consistency between two halves of a construct measure (best method for checking internal consistency) Can only be used if the entire test is testing one construct.

Question 39

internal consistency reliability

Answer 39

measures consistency between different items of the same construct I like to ride bicycles + I have ridden bicycles in the past + I hate bicycles -

Question 40

validity

Answer 40

The extent to which a measure adequately represent the underlying construct that it is supposed to measure