Key Concepts in Research Methodology and Ethics

Independent Variable

The variable you manipulate in an experiment to test its effect on another variable.

Dependent Variable

The variable you measure in an experiment; it's affected by the independent variable.

Control Variable

Variables that are kept constant in an experiment to ensure that the effect on the dependent variable is only due to the independent variable.

Random Sampling

A sampling technique where every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected.

Chain Referral (Snowball) Sampling

A sampling technique where existing study subjects recruit future subjects from their social networks.

Design Bias

Systematic error introduced by the design of the study.

Selection Bias

Occurs when participants are selected in a way that is not random, leading to a sample that does not represent the population.

Inclusion Bias

Occurs when certain groups are systematically excluded or included in a study, affecting the results.

Analysis Bias

Bias introduced during the analysis phase, often due to improper analysis methods.

Loaded Question

A question that contains a presumption or unfair bias.

Research Ethics

Moral principles that guide the conduct of research, ensuring honesty, integrity, and respect for participants.

Nuremberg Doctor's Trial

Post-WWII trials in which Nazi doctors were prosecuted for unethical medical experimentation.

Nuremberg Code

Set of research ethics principles developed after the Nuremberg trials, emphasizing voluntary consent.

Helsinki Declaration

Ethical guidelines for medical research involving human subjects, focusing on health and safety.

Informed Consent

The process by which participants are fully informed about the risks and benefits of a study and agree to participate voluntarily.

Special Populations in Research

Groups that may need additional protections in research, such as children, pregnant women, and prisoners.

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

A committee that reviews and approves research studies to ensure ethical standards are met.

Plagiarism

Using someone else's work or ideas without proper attribution.

Conflicts of Interest

A situation where a researcher's personal interests may compromise their objectivity.

Parametric Data

Data that follows a specific distribution (e.g., normal distribution) and can be analyzed using parametric statistical tests.

Normal Distribution

A bell-shaped curve where most data points fall near the mean.

Descriptive Statistics

Methods used to summarize and describe the main features of a dataset.

Inferential Statistics

Statistical methods used to make inferences or generalizations about a population based on a sample.

Null Hypothesis

The hypothesis that there is no effect or difference between groups, used as a starting point in statistical testing.

False Positive (Type I Error)

Incorrectly rejecting the null hypothesis, indicating a false effect.

False Negative (Type II Error)

Failing to reject the null hypothesis when there actually is a true effect.

Sequential Mixed-Methods

A research design that uses both qualitative and quantitative data, with one method being used first and the other following.

Concurrent Mixed-Methods

A research design that collects both qualitative and quantitative data simultaneously.

Qualitative Methods

Research methods that focus on understanding experiences, perceptions, and meanings (e.g., interviews, observations).

Types of Interviews

Includes structured (set questions), semi-structured (flexible questions), and unstructured (open-ended) interviews.

Focus Groups

A qualitative research method where a small group of people discusses a topic, guided by a moderator.

Thematic Analysis

A method of analyzing qualitative data by identifying and analyzing patterns or themes.

Narrative Analysis

Analyzing data by focusing on the stories people tell and how they construct meaning.

Inductive Coding

A method of coding qualitative data by identifying patterns and developing themes from the data.

Deductive Coding

A method of coding where you start with predefined categories or theories and check if the data fits them.

Flat Coding Frame

A coding system where each code represents a distinct category with no hierarchy.

Hierarchical Code Frame

A coding system that organizes codes into levels or categories, with broader themes at the top and more specific codes underneath.

Research Poster

A visual representation of research findings, typically used at conferences, summarizing key elements of a study.