RM glossary

Mer tv

100 per cent bar chart

A bar chart where the subcategories of a variable for a particular bar total 100 per cent and each bar is sliced into portions in relation to their proportion out of 100.

Accidental sampling

Sampling based on convenience, where any person that you come across can be contacted for participation in your study.

Action research

Research that seeks the involvement of community members in planning, undertaking, developing, and implementing research and program agendas to deal with a problem or issue confronting a group or community.

Active variable

Variables that can be changed, controlled, and manipulated either by a researcher or by someone else in studies that seek to establish causality or association.

After-only design

A design where the researcher studies the impact of an intervention on a population that has been exposed to it, using baseline information constructed from recall or existing records.

Alternative hypothesis

A hypothesis that specifies the relationship that will be considered as true in case the research hypothesis proves to be wrong.

Ambiguous question

A question that contains more than one meaning and can be interpreted differently by different respondents.

Applied research

Research where research techniques and methods are applied to collect information about various aspects of a situation, issue, problem, or phenomenon for purposes such as policy formulation, program development, and evaluation.

Area chart

A chart that presents information about the subcategories of a variable in the form of shaded areas under a line diagram, highlighting the magnitude of each subcategory in relation to others.

Attitudinal scales

Scales designed to measure attitudes towards an issue, including the summated rating scale, equal-appearing interval scale, and cumulative scale.

Attitudinal score

A numerical value calculated based on a respondent's answer to an attitudinal statement or question.

Attitudinal value

The weight or significance given to a statement reflecting its importance in reflecting an attitude in an attitudinal scale.

Attribute variables

Variables that reflect the characteristics of the study population and cannot be manipulated, changed, or controlled, such as age, gender, education, and income.

Bar chart

A graphical display of categorical data where rectangles representing frequencies are spaced to indicate that the data is categorical.

Before-and-after design

A design that compares the change in a phenomenon or variable(s) between two points in time using two sets of cross-sectional data collection points on the same population.

Bias

A deliberate attempt to conceal or highlight something in research or to use inappropriate procedures or methods to obtain desired information.

Blind studies

Studies where the study population does not know whether they are receiving real or fake treatment or which treatment they are receiving, aiming to isolate the placebo effect.

Case study

A design where a single case is studied intensively to explore specific aspects, assuming it is typical of cases of a certain type.

Categorical variables

Variables measured in the form of categories, placed in a category based on the presence or absence of a characteristic, and measured on nominal or ordinal scales.

Chance variable

Variables that can be affected by the mood of a respondent or the wording of a question, resulting in random changes in responses.

Closed question

A question with predetermined answer options where the respondent selects the category that best describes their answer.

Cluster sampling

Sampling based on dividing a population into groups called clusters and selecting elements from each cluster using simple random sampling.

Code

A numerical value assigned to a response during data analysis.

Code book

A listing of numerical values assigned to answers obtained from respondents for each question.

Code of conduct

A set of principles based on ethical considerations that govern professional practice in a profession.

Coding

The process of assigning numerical values to different categories of responses for analysis.

Cohort studies

Studies based on a common characteristic within a subgroup of a population, studying people with the common characteristic over time to collect information of interest.

Collaborative enquiry

Participatory research that advocates close collaboration between the researcher and research participants.

Column percentages

Percentages calculated from the total of all subcategories of one variable displayed along a column in different rows.

Community discussion forum

A qualitative strategy to gather opinions, attitudes, and ideas of a community regarding community issues and problems.

Comparative study design

A design used to compare the effectiveness of different treatment modalities, either as an experiment or non-experiment.

Concept

Words used in research that are difficult to measure and may vary in understanding from person to person.

Conceptual framework

The basis of a research problem, describing the aspects selected from the theoretical framework to become the basis of the research enquiry.

Concurrent validity

Comparing the findings of a research instrument with those found by another well-accepted instrument to assess its validity.

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Controlled

Designing a study to link cause and effect and accurately assess the impact of the independent variable.

Controlled experiments

Dividing the study population into experimental and control groups to compare the effects of an intervention.

Convenience sampling

Non-probability sampling based on the convenience of selecting potential respondents.

Correlational studies

Investigating the relationship between two or more variables.

Cost—benefit evaluation

Assessing the price of an intervention in relation to its benefits.

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Assessing the price of an intervention in relation to its effectiveness.

Credibility

The extent to which qualitative research results are agreeable to the participants and confirmed by them.

Cross-over comparative experimental design

Introducing an intervention to one group, measuring its impact, and then switching the groups.

Cross-sectional studies

Obtaining an overall "picture" of a phenomenon by taking a cross-section of the population.

Cross-tabulation

Analyzing two variables to determine if there is a relationship between them.

Cumulative frequency polygon

Drawing a graph based on cumulative frequencies to interpret data.

Dependability

The extent to which qualitative research results are consistent and reliable.

Dependent variable

The variable that changes in response to the independent variable.

Descriptive studies

Systematically describing a situation, problem, phenomenon, or program.

Dichotomous variable

A variable with only two categories.

Disproportionate stratified sampling

Selecting elements from each stratum without considering their size in the population.

Dominant/less dominant studies

A mixed methods study where one methodology dominates.

Double-barrelled question

A question that contains two separate inquiries.

Double-blind studies

A study where neither the researcher nor the participants know which group is receiving the intervention.

Double-control studies

A study with two control groups to separate out effects from the research instrument or respondents.

Editing

Scrutinizing research instruments to minimize errors and gaps in the collected information.

Elevation effect

Observers using a specific section of a scale consistently in recording observations.

Equivalent status studies

A mixed methods study where both methodologies are equally applied.

Error of central tendency

Avoiding extreme positions on a scale, leading to an error in assessment.

Ethics

Moral values of professional conduct in research.

Ethical practice

Professional practice in accordance with accepted codes of conduct.

Evaluation

Reviewing an intervention or program to make informed decisions and identify changes for improvement.

Evaluation for planning

Establishing the need for a program or intervention.

Evidence-based practice

Service delivery based on research evidence, clinical judgment, and client preference.

Experimental group

The group exposed to the intervention being tested in a study.

Experimental studies

Studying causality by introducing an intervention and observing its effects.

Expert sampling

Selecting experts in a specific area as the basis for data collection.

Explanatory research

Clarifying the relationship between two aspects of a situation or phenomenon.

Exploratory research

Investigating an area with limited knowledge or determining the feasibility of a study.

Extraneous variables

Variables other than the independent and dependent variables that can affect the relationship between them.

Face validity

Justifying the inclusion of a question or item in a research instrument based on its relevance to the study objectives.

Feasibility study

Investigating the possibility of conducting a larger-scale study and streamlining methods and procedures.

Feminist research

Research guided by feminist concerns and theory, focusing on women's viewpoints and addressing social inequality.

Fishbowl draw

Method of selecting a random sample by drawing numbered slips of paper from a bowl.

Focus group

Qualitative research method involving a facilitated group discussion to explore attitudes, opinions, or perceptions.

Frame of analysis

Plan for analyzing data and the statistical procedures to be used.

Frequency distribution

Grouping respondents into subcategories based on a variable measured or coded.

Frequency polygon

Graphical representation of data using rectangles joined at the midpoint of each interval.

Graphs

Visual representations of analyzed data for better understanding and communication.

Group interview

Collecting information from a group collectively through facilitated discussion with a researcher.

Guttman scale

Attitudinal scale with statements arranged in perfect cumulative order.

Halo effect

Influencing the rating of one aspect of an interaction based on the rating of another aspect.

Hawthorne effect

Change in behavior due to awareness of being observed.

Histogram

Graphic presentation of analyzed data using adjacent rectangles to represent frequencies.

Holistic research

Research approach that considers multiple perspectives to understand a phenomenon in its entirety.

Hyp

Hypothesis of difference

A hypothesis in which a researcher stipulates that there will be a difference but does not specify its magnitude.

Hypothesis of point-prevalence

A hypothesis in which a researcher speculates almost the exact prevalence of a phenomenon or outcome in quantitative units.

Independent variable

The variable responsible for bringing about change in a phenomenon in the study of causality.

In-depth interviewing

A method of data collection that provides complete freedom in terms of content, structure, and questioning in a research study.

Indicators

Logical reflectors used to measure a concept that is incapable of direct measurement.

Informed consent

The consent given by respondents after being adequately and accurately made aware of all aspects of a study.

Interrupted time-series design

A design in which a group of people is studied before and after the introduction of an intervention, with multiple data collections at different time intervals.

Interval scale

A measurement scale divided into equally spaced intervals, with a starting and terminating point, but without a fixed zero point.

Intervening variables

Variables that must be present for the assumed effect of an independent variable on a dependent variable to occur.

Intervention—development—evaluation process

A cyclical process of continuous assessment of needs, intervention, and evaluation in order to enhance relevance, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Interview guide

A list of issues, topics, or discussion points used as a reminder in an in-depth interview.

Interview schedule

A list of questions prepared for use by an interviewer in a person-to-person interaction for data collection.

Interviewing

A method of data collection involving asking questions of respondents and recording their answers.

Judgemental sampling

A sampling design based on the researcher's judgement of who can provide the best information for the study objectives.