Practical Research 2: Unit 1 Nature of Quantitative Research

These flashcards cover the foundational concepts, characteristics, types, and variables of quantitative research based on the lecture transcript.

Quantitative Research

A means for testing objective theories by examining the relationship among variables, dealing with numerical values to describe a phenomenon or infer a relationship.

Variables

Traits that numerically describe or give meaning to an object, phenomenon, or group of people; they are identified, examined, described, or correlated to answer a scientific inquiry.

Independent Variable

Also called the causal variable, it is the one manipulated or changed to examine its effect on the outcome.

Dependent Variable

Also called the outcome variable, it is influenced by the independent variable and represents the effect or response.

Controllability

A characteristic of quantitative research where all variables are identified and can be managed within the research environment.

Generalizability

The extent to which results from a representative sample size can be applied to the larger population.

Objectivity

The characteristic where data results are observable and measurable using structured instruments.

Replicability

The requirement that a research study can be repeated by other teams to eventually achieve similar outcomes.

True experimental research

A research design used to identify a cause-effect relationship where the samples are randomized.

Quasi-experimental research

A design that mirrors experimental research to determine causal relationships but uses assigned samples instead of random ones.

Descriptive Research

A nonexperimental design that focuses on describing factors, variables, or phenomena as they occur in nature.

Comparative Research

Also called causal-comparative research, its primary objective is to compare two or more groups to identify if a causative relationship exists.

Correlational Research

A type of research that compares two variables to identify the statistical relationship or association between them.

Causal Research

Research that specifically looks at causes and effects, examining how a change in one variable creates a change in another.

Survey Research

A correlational type of quantitative research that uses a questionnaire as the main data collection tool.

Cross-sectional survey

A survey design that acquires information from participants at one single point in time.

Longitudinal survey

A survey design that acquires information at multiple points in time to compare, contrast, and assess changes in responses over time.

Population

A general group of people with similar characteristics being studied.

Sample

A subgroup of the population chosen, either randomly or purposively, to participate in the research.

Experimental group

The group of respondents in an experimental study that receives the intervention or treatment.

Control group

The group of respondents that does not receive the intervention, used to assess differences against the experimental group.

Mediating Variables

Also known as intervening variables, they show the connection between the independent and dependent variables by bridging the gap between cause and effect.

Moderating Variables

Variables that have a strong conditioned effect that may modify or change the strength of the relationship between the independent and dependent variables.

Extraneous Variables

Variables that should be excluded from research because they may interfere with the experiment and compromise the results.

Nominal Variable

A categorical variable representing different types of data (like hair color or race) with no intrinsic order; frequencies can only be counted.

Ordinal Variable

A categorical variable that has an intrinsic order or rank, but the distances between categories are not equivalent.

Interval Variable

A continuous variable with numerical values that can be ranked and where differences are meaningful, but there is no true zero point (e.g., $-6^{\circ}\text{C}$).

Ratio Variable

A continuous numerical variable that has a meaningful difference between values and a true zero point, representing the complete absence of the variable (e.g., $0\,kg$).