Lecture Notes: Research Types, Frameworks, Variables, Hypotheses, and Data

50 vocabulary flashcards covering research types, frameworks, variables, hypotheses, data sources, and related concepts from the lecture notes.

Correlational Research

Focuses on finding the relationship between two variables.

Experimental Research

Manipulates variables to test cause-and-effect.

Descriptive Research

Provides a picture of what exists, without testing relationships.

Comparative Research

Compares two or more groups or conditions.

Survey Research

Uses questionnaires with closed-ended questions to gather data from a sample.

Quasi-Experimental Research

Similar to experimental but without random assignment.

Theoretical Framework

Based on existing theories.

Conceptual Framework

Shows the researcher’s own model of variables and how they are related.

Research Framework

Illustration of how the process will be explored.

Independent Variable

The cause or factor manipulated.

Dependent Variable

The effect or outcome.

Mediating Variable

Intervenes between cause and effect.

Moderating Variable

Strengthens or weakens the relationship.

Extraneous Variable

Outside factors that may affect results.

Null Hypothesis (Ho)

No relationship or difference.

Alternative Hypothesis (Ha)

There is a relationship or difference.

Directional Hypothesis

Predicts the specific direction of the relationship.

Non-directional Hypothesis

Predicts a relationship but no specific direction.

Simple Hypothesis

Involves one independent and one dependent variable.

Complex Hypothesis

Involves multiple variables.

Pretest

Testing before an intervention.

Posttest

Testing after an intervention.

Limitations

Boundaries of the study (e.g., sample size, timeframe).

Delimitations

Boundaries set by the researcher that limit the scope.

Primary Data

Original data from respondents.

Secondary Data

Data analyzed or interpreted from other sources.

Tertiary Data

Summaries like encyclopedias or fact books.

Nominal Variable

Categories without order.

Ordinal Variable

Categories with order.

Interval Variable

Ordered, equal distances, no true zero.

Ratio Variable

Ordered, equal distances, true zero.

Citation

Acknowledging sources in research.

Quotation

Directly copying someone’s words.

Narrative Citation

Author’s name integrated in the sentence.

Closed-ended questions

Questionnaires with predefined answer choices.

Random Assignment

Assigning participants to conditions by chance.

Hours of Tutoring

Example of an independent variable.

Student Grades

Example of a dependent variable.

Sleep Hours

Example of a variable studied in correlational research on productivity.

Productivity

Example of a dependent variable in productivity studies.

Timeframe

A boundary defined in delimitations.

Sample Size

A boundary of the study defined in delimitations.

Original Data

Alternative term for primary data.

Questionnaires

A data collection instrument used in surveys.

Encyclopedias

An example of tertiary data sources.

Study Habits

Topic surveyed in Descriptive Research.

Internet Usage

Topic surveyed in Survey Research.

Public vs Private School Students

Group comparison used in Comparative Research.

New Teaching Method

Intervention tested in Experimental Research.

Tutoring Program

Intervention evaluated in a quasi-experimental study.