Research Methods And Statistical Studies Flashcards
(38 cards)
There are three common types of variables in social research:
Step one purpose statement
Independent,dependent, and control
Independent variable (IV)
Independent variables are those that are manipulated or selected by the researcher to cause, influence, or otherwise effect the outcome.
Example, to identify independent variable(s) ask, “what is the name of the theory or technique the researcher is using to cause change?”
Known as the experimental group
Dependent variable (DV)
Dependent variable are those that are affected or changed as a result of the manipulation of the independent variable.
For example, to determine the depended variable, ask “what is the researcher attempting to measure or test”?
Control
Control variables are possible confounding variables that the researcher attempts to hold constant so that their effects are cancelled out or controlled for, such as demographics or background characteristics of the subjects of a study.
For example, to determine the control variable (s) ask, “what is the demographic or background information identified in the purpose statement”?
Null hypothesis
Step 2 hypothesis
Null hypotheses
Pure experimental research is based on a null hypothesis
Statement that there is no relationship existing between the independent variable and dependent variables.
Type 1 alpha error
When a researcher rejects a null hypothesis that is true, it is a type one alpha error.
Type 2 beta error
When a researcher accepts null hypothesis when is should have been rejected, this type is a type two beta error occurs.
Hypothesis testing is mostly closely related to the work of?
R.A Fisher
Are four types of sampling techniques?
Simple random sample, stratified random sample, cluster sample, and systematic random sample
Simple random sample
Each item or subject in a sample is considered to have an equal, independent chance of being selected into the sample.
For example, a school district has 10,000 students. Researchers want to do a project with 1000 students. Every student has an equal, in the independent chance of being selected.
Stratified random sample
Items or subjects are divided into PARTS, such as, Grades, ages, income, etc.
For example, 10,000 children are divided by grade each child has an equal independent chance of being selected into the sample
Cluster sample
In a CLUSTER SAMPLE PARTS that go together are, researched/studied together, such as, neighborhood, classes, etc.
Example: researchers picks Fifth grade. There’s two schools with fifth-graders. One on the north side and one on the southside. Put them together would be a cluster.
Systematic random sample
Systematic rules of selections or PREDICTABLE interval is employed.
For example, every third person,odd numbers, etc.
Procedures: that threaten the internal validity concerns flaws and the design of the study:
History, maturation, testing, statistical regression, and subject attrition.
Procedures:
Threats to external validity concerns the extent to which the researcher can generalize findings to a larger population.
Multiple treatment interference, Hawthorne (placebo) effect, novelty effect, experimental or Rosenthal effect, halo effect
Hawthorne (placebo) effect
Occurs when the subjects knowledge that they are participants in a study alters or otherwise influences their usual responses
Rosenthal effect
Occurs when the researchers behavior or appearances affects the subject performance
Halo effect
Occurs when the researcher allows his or her initial impression of the subject to influence later ratings of the subject
Types of measurement scales
Nominal/ categorical
Ordinal/ order
Interval/ equal
Ratio
Nominal / categorical
Is the lowest and least precise level of measurement as it simply classifies or sort persons and/or objects into the categories.
example: yes or no, male or female, married or never Married
Ordinal (order)
Not only classifies subject or their behavior, but also ranks them in terms of the degree to which they possess a characteristic of interest.
Intervals between ranks are not equal.
For example, BA/MA/PhD, 1st place, Second Place, third place
Interval (equals)
Has all the characteristics of both a nominal ordinal scales, but, in addition, it is based upon predetermined equal intervals.
Most of the teachers use an educational research, such as achievement us, aptitude test, and intelligent tiff, represents interval scale.
Interval scale do not have a true zero. Which means they can have negative numbers.
For example: one, two, three. 20°, 40°, 60°. -20°, -40°, -60°.
Ratio
If the highest, most precise, level of measurement. A ratio scale has all of the advantages of the other types of scales and, in addition, it has a true zero point meaning no negative numbers.
For example, 5 pounds, 10 pounds, 15 pounds,. 10 inches, 12 inches, 14 inches. $.25, 50 Cent, .75 cent, one dollar
Types of derived scores:
(GE) Grade equivalent: denotes that average raw scores or are assigned a grade-level value. We interpret a given score compared to other x graders.
For example, in the third grade Mary scored a 4.5 on a reading test, the appropriate way to interpret this score is to say Mary scored above average in reading.
Percentile ranks: indicates the percentage of score that fall at or below a given score.
For example, John scored a 59 on a reading test and that score landed him at the PR of 45 (basedss on a graphing of the scores), The meaning is that 45% of the students who took the test earned scores of 59 or Less.
Standard scores:
Z scores- is the most basic standard score and allows scores from different is to be compared. Has a mean of zero and a standard deviation of one.
T scores- is widely used and has a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10.
Stanines- divide the normal curve and nine points, not nine equal parts.
Measures of central tendency
Mean – is the most frequently used. Interval scale. Meaning the average.
Median- mid point. Most appropriate measure of central tendency for ordinal level data.
Mode- most frequent.
Measure of variability
Range, standard deviation, and variance
