Term
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Definition
| a structural process of investigating facts and theories, or a method of answering questions and/or solving problems in a systematic and objective manner |
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| Traditional Problem Solving |
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Definition
| Problems are solved in the manner in which the same problem has been solved by the individual’s culture or community previously |
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Term
| Authority Problem Solving |
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Definition
| Problems are solved by asking individuals who are in an authority on that issue. The individual will act in the manner that the authority suggests. |
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Term
| Trial & Error Problem Solving |
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Definition
| Problems are solved by attempting a variety of different alternatives. Some alternatives do not succeed. Eventually (hopefully), one method does succeed. |
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Term
| Inductive Reasoning - Problem Solving |
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Definition
| Problems are solved by observing the situation many times in the past and drawing conclusions (or devising a theory) about a solution for the future based on those past observations (also referred to as a bottom-up process). |
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| Deductive Reasoning - Problem Solving |
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Definition
| Problems are solved by using a previously designed larger theory to draw conclusions about how to address the current issue (also referred to as top-down process) |
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| Scientific Method - Problem Solving |
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Definition
| "A way of seeking knowledge that involved both inductive and deductive reasoning to develop hypotheses to rigorous and objective testing. Consequently, research is SYSTEMATIC, LOGICAL, EMPIRICAL, and REPLICABLE. |
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Definition
| A framework for conducting an analysis to answer a research question or test a hypothesis |
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Term
| Quantitative Research Design |
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Definition
objective - to study relationships, C & E, and group diff.
Design - developed and controlled prior to data collection
Use - TEST THEORIES
Tools - standardized, reliable and validity instruments
Sample is large |
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Term
| Qualitative Research Design |
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Definition
Objective - to understand and describe a social phenomena
Design - ID'd based on the research Q and evolves during data collection
Use - inductive generates theory
Sample is small |
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Term
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Definition
-seeks to make comparisons btw groups
-both have randomization, control, and intervention |
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Term
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Definition
- full randomization and control
- can imply cause & effect |
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Term
| Quasi Experimental Design |
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Definition
- has some randomization and control
- has at least one attribute variable (gender)
-cannot imply cause and effect |
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Term
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Definition
| - CANNOT imply cause and effect for these designs |
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Term
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Definition
- seeks to assess issues of a group at one point in time
-purely descriptive
-many types |
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Definition
- seeks to examine relationships among variables
EX: as BMI increases, lower back pain also increases |
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Term
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Definition
- seeks to make comparisons between groups after the fact
- no control, no randomization, no manipulation |
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Term
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Definition
-answers immediate questions
-human participants
-real world setting
-lacks scientific control
-results directly useful for practitioners |
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Term
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Definition
-deals with highly theoretical issues
-animal or human subjects
-laboratory setting
-follows careful scientific control
-results may lack direct application to the profession |
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Term
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Definition
- the extent to which the findings of the study can be attributed to the manipulation or intervention
- HIGHER IN BASIC RESEARCH |
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Term
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Definition
- the extent to which the study can be generalized to the real world
- HIGHER IN APPLIED RESEARCH |
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Term
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Definition
- the extent to which the study mimics a real world setting or situation
- tends to be higher in applied research |
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Term
| important considerations when selecting a research topic |
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Definition
- workability (your resources, sample subjects)
- critical mass (magnitude of study, enough variables, potential results)
-interest (does it relate to your interests and background)
-theoretical value (does it fill a gap in lit., do others see it as important) |
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Term
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Definition
| abstract entities that cannot be directly measured. EX: anxiety, self-concept, creativity. |
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Term
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Definition
| formal definitions that come from others (authority). |
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Term
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Definition
how are you defining a term within the scope of your study.
-specify how you as the researcher are going to measure and manipulate the particular measure. |
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Term
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Definition
| anything that is measureable and can be assigned different values |
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Term
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Definition
| a measurement that is the same for all participants or subjects. Ex: "All subjects are male soccer players" |
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Term
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Definition
| classify individuals into groups or categories. EX: status of a student (part time vs full time) |
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Term
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Definition
| specific type of categorical variables - these variables only have two mutually exclusive outcomes |
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Term
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Definition
when researcher wants to examine the effects of one variable to another.
- what the researcher is manipulating or attempting to look at differences across. |
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Term
| Active Independent Variables |
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Definition
independent variables that the researcher can "actively" manipulate.
-utilized in true experimental designs where the researcher is attempting to measure the "true effects" of the independent variable. |
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Term
| Attribute Independent Variables |
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Definition
independent variables that the researcher cannot actively manipulate or assign.
-utilized in quasi-experimental designs where the researcher cannot manipulate the independent variable and therefore is measuring the differences that exist btw the groups or levels of the independent variable. |
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Term
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Definition
referred to as the "outcome" or "effect variable".
-variable being measured in response to the independent variable(s). |
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Definition
| presents single, clear question - end product provides answers to many questions |
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Term
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Definition
| Descriptive, analytical, evaluation of a RQ |
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Term
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Definition
| Postal, Online, Face-to-face, Telephone |
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Term
| Organization of Survey Research parts |
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Definition
| Layout, Cover Letter, Piloting |
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Term
| Advantages of Survey Research |
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Definition
-real world observations
-generalized to a population
-representative sample size
-low cost
- short amount of time spent |
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Term
| Disadvantages of Survey Research |
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Definition
-significance can be neglected by researchers
- can lack detail and depth
- response rates are difficult to control
-no cause and effect
- open ended |
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Term
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Definition
| All possible subjects or elements to be studied |
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Term
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Definition
| A subset of the population |
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Definition
| A list of all elements or subjects from which the sample is drawn |
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Definition
| One element or subject on the list (sample frame) |
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Term
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Definition
| more time consuming, more costly, reach out of immediate area. 5 types. external validity is high |
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Term
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Definition
| quicker, cheaper, but lower in external validity to the entire sample |
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Term
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Definition
| every sample unit has the same chance of being chosen |
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Term
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Definition
| equal representation needed across areas of sample, same as random in other regards |
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Definition
| taking groups of the sample, usually out of convenience. |
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Term
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Definition
| sample frame is randomized from another source. every "nth" person. |
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Term
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Definition
| using units that are easily accessible. |
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Term
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Definition
| researcher asking for units to volunteer, and taking whoever shows |
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Definition
| a group of units that is already formed. |
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Term
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Definition
| how you can randomly acquire subjects for your study |
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Term
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Definition
| takes place after your subjects have agreed to participate in your study. Two methods |
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Term
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Definition
| how you randomly assign subjects into two groups (ie. exp. vs. control) |
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Term
| "The Number System" Random Assignment |
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Definition
| how you use the number system to randomly assign subjects into three groups (ie, exp1, exp2, or control) |
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