Kinds of Quantitative Research: Descriptive, Correlational, Quasi-Experimental, and Experimental

Vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes about kinds of quantitative research (Descriptive, Correlational, Quasi-Experimental, and Experimental) and key variables.

Descriptive Research

Describes the characteristics of a population or phenomenon; answers 'What is happening?'; involves no manipulation or control of variables.

Correlational Research

Examines the relationship between two or more variables; does not imply causation; uses statistical tools like Pearson r.

Quasi-Experimental Research

Tests cause–effect relationships; has an independent variable but no random assignment; often used in real-life settings (e.g., classrooms).

Experimental Research

The most rigorous quantitative method; includes random assignment, a control group, and manipulated variables; answers 'What causes what?'.

Independent Variable

The variable deliberately changed or manipulated to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Random Assignment

Assigning participants to groups by chance to create equivalent groups and reduce selection bias.

Control Group

A group that does not receive the experimental treatment, used as a baseline for comparison.

Manipulated Variable

Another term for the independent variable; the variable deliberately changed by the researcher.

Pearson r

A measure of the strength and direction of the linear relationship between two continuous variables.