Research Methods Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is science?
A body of systematically organized knowledge based on facts ascertained by empirical research.
Science encompasses various disciplines and methodologies for understanding the natural world.
What is the first step in the scientific method?
Question: Observing the world and coming up with a question or puzzle regarding a phenomenon.
This initial step sets the stage for further inquiry and investigation.
What is a theory?
A set of logically consistent statements that explain why observed phenomena occur.
Theories are fundamental in guiding scientific research and understanding.
What are implications in the context of the scientific method?
Hypotheses that can be deduced from the model.
Implications help to predict outcomes based on the established theory.
What is a research method?
A technique for collecting and analyzing information to identify relationships and test theoretical propositions.
Research methods are essential for validating or refuting hypotheses.
What are the two types of research methods?
- Qualitative methods
- Quantitative methods
Each method serves different research questions and contexts.
What do qualitative methods focus on?
Non-numerical techniques such as archival research, text analysis, and interviews.
These methods aim to uncover key factors explaining particular events or outcomes.
What is the primary goal of quantitative methods?
To apply statistical techniques to identify correlations and causal relationships between variables.
Quantitative methods often involve large sample sizes for broader generalization.
Define independent variables.
Factors believed to cause variation in the dependent variable.
Independent variables are manipulated or categorized to observe their effects.
Define dependent variable.
The outcome factor that researchers aim to explain.
Dependent variables are measured to assess the effects of independent variables.
What is a hypothesis?
A proposed explanation of the relationship between one or more independent variables and a dependent variable.
Hypotheses are often framed as ‘P causes Q’.
What is a theory-generating case study?
A close observation of a specific case to develop an explanation that can be tested in related cases.
This method is essential for building new theoretical insights.
What is Mill’s Method of Agreement?
A comparative analysis of cases that agree regarding the phenomenon to be explained.
This method helps identify necessary conditions for an outcome.
What is a necessary condition?
A circumstance in whose absence the phenomenon in question cannot occur.
Necessary conditions are crucial for establishing causal relationships.
What is a sufficient condition?
A circumstance in whose presence the phenomenon in question must occur.
Sufficient conditions help to confirm causal assertions.
What is Mill’s Method of Difference?
A comparative analysis of cases that differ regarding the outcome to be explained.
This method is used to evaluate whether a condition is sufficient for an outcome.
List some advantages of qualitative research methods.
- Opportunity for detailed explanations
- Measures complex causal relationships
- Reveals new facts
- Provides deep understanding of behavior
Qualitative methods are valuable for exploring nuances in data.
List some disadvantages of qualitative research methods.
- Small, non-representative sample sizes
- Time-consuming
- Hard to replicate
- Results may be descriptive and not robust
These limitations can affect the reliability of qualitative findings.
What is regression analysis?
A technique to identify how a dependent variable changes when an independent variable is varied, holding others fixed.
Regression analysis is a fundamental aspect of quantitative research.
What are some advantages of quantitative research methods?
- Tests theoretical propositions across many observations
- Controls for multiple causes of variation
- Easy to replicate
Quantitative methods are essential for broader generalizability.
What are some disadvantages of quantitative research methods?
- Cannot explain why correlations exist
- Measurement concerns across contexts
- Statistical relationships do not imply causation
These disadvantages highlight the need for careful interpretation of quantitative data.
What is the main conclusion regarding research methods?
Quantitative methods are preferable for testing theories and identifying correlations, while qualitative methods are better for generating theories.
The choice of method depends on the specific research question.
