Quantitative Research Methods & Variables

Vocabulary flashcards covering quantitative research designs, classifications of variables, topic selection criteria, hypothesis formulation, literature synthesis, frameworks, and citation styles from Practical Research 2 notes.

Quantitative Research

A systematic investigation of observable phenomena where the researcher gathers numerical data and subjects them to statistical methods to test hypotheses and theories.

Generalizability

The extent to which research findings accurately represent not only the samples but also the population at large.

Descriptive Research

A quantitative research design that aims to observe and report on a certain phenomenon as variables occur naturally without using experimental manipulation.

Correlational Research

A research type designed to determine the nature and relationship between variables without looking into causal cause-and-effect relationships.

Ex Post Facto Research

A study design that aims to infer the causes of a phenomenon that has already occurred by comparing exposed and unexposed groups.

Quasi-Experimental Research

Research intended to establish cause-and-effect relationships using intact, pre-existing groups rather than random assignment.

Experimental Research

A study design that establishes strong cause-and-effect relationships through active experimental manipulation and random assignment of subjects.

Variable

Any element, factor, or property that can be measured, controlled, or manipulated for quantity or quality.

Data

Measurements, facts, figures, or recordings collected as a source of information and processed to provide a basis for drawing conclusions.

Discrete Variables

Quantitative variables that can only be counted in positive whole numbers and are not described in ranges.

Continuous Variables

Quantitative variables (also referred to as interval variables) that assume any value between a set of real numbers, are measured in ranges, and can be denoted by non-whole numbers or fractions.

Ratio Variables

A special type of continuous variable under ratio level of measurement that cannot have a negative value, where zero signifies complete absence of the variable.

Qualitative Variables

Variables (also referred to as categorical variables) that lack numerical value and involve assigning values to specific categories or groups.

Dichotomous Variables

Categorical variables that possess only two distinct categories or values, such as Yes/No or True/False.

Nominal Variables

Categorical variables that have more than two distinct categories without any intrinsic rank or order, such as Gender, Religion, or Blood Type.

Ordinal Variables

Variables exhibiting characteristics of both quantitative and qualitative types whose values can be ranked or ordered.

Polychotomous Variables

Categorical variables that represent more than two distinct categories or values.

Dependent Variable

The variable examined for changes, serving as the presumed effect or response variable in experimental research.

Independent Variable

The variable manipulated by the researcher, serving as the presumed cause or explanatory variable that affects the dependent variable.

Extraneous Variable

Any undesired variable not categorized as independent or dependent that exists during an experiment and can influence study results.

Confounding Variable

A special type of extraneous variable that a researcher fails to control, directly threatening the validity of an experiment's procedure.

Predictor Variable

A non-experimental variable used to predict or explain variability in the criterion variable, plotted on the x-axis of a scatter plot.

Criterion Variable

A non-experimental variable whose variation is being studied or predicted as an outcome, plotted on the y-axis of a scatter plot.

Research Topic

A general area of interest or broad subject area that a researcher chooses to pursue and investigate in research.

Background of the Study

The introductory section that introduces important facets establishing the general context, history, and subject overview of the study.

Research Gap

An issue, problem, or aspect of a topic that has not been fully addressed or resolved by previous studies and conventions.

Research Problem

The particular issue, area of concern, or boundary to be investigated and addressed in a study.

Problem Statement

A formal description pointing out the research issue, its causes, supporting evidence, and why the problem is worthy of investigation.

Research Questions

Essential study components that define the research problem by stating specific concerns to be answered by the study.

General Research Question

The main question derived from the research problem that incorporates quantitative terms like effect or relationship.

Specific Research Questions

Detailed sub-questions anchored in the general question that guide data collection, tool development, and conclusions.

Research Objective

A declarative statement used in place of a research question when the study involves developing a model, prototype, design, or instructional material.

Thesis Statement

A one-sentence summary presenting the central argument or core purpose of the research study.

Hypothesis

A statement defining the testable relationship or outcome expected from examining study variables.

Null Hypothesis ($H_0$)

A hypothesis predicting that no relationship exists between variables or that the independent variable has no effect.

Alternative Hypothesis ($H_A$)

A hypothesis predicting that a relationship exists between variables or that the independent variable has an effect.

Directional Hypothesis

A hypothesis explicitly specifying a positive or negative direction for the relationship, examined using a one-tailed test.

Non-Directional Hypothesis

A hypothesis stating a relationship exists without specifying a positive or negative direction, examined using a two-tailed test.

Significance of the Study

The section detailing the practical, theoretical, or methodological contributions and benefits of the study to specific groups or society.

Scope and Delimitation

The section describing the parameters, boundaries, sample traits, locale, limits, and excluded factors within which the study is set.

Literature Review

An academic text providing an overview, evaluation, and synthesis of scholarly works relevant to a research topic.

Literature Search

The stage where a researcher systematically looks for and selects reference materials relevant to the study.

Conceptual Literature

A review subsection that explains theoretical concepts and background knowledge relevant to the study.

Related Studies

A review subsection presenting and synthesizing previous empirical studies similar to the current research.

Operational Definition

A definition specifically tailored for the unique context and measurement within a specific study.

Conceptual Definition

The standard, general definition of a term accepted and used within an academic discipline.

Synthesizing

The skill of reviewing and consolidating multiple reference sources discussing the same topic into one cohesive text.

Microlevel Synthesis

Consolidating ideas across sources to explain a specific concept.

Macrolevel Synthesis

Consolidating multiple studies to identify research gaps and draw broader conclusions.

Summarizing

A note-taking method involving the condensing of lengthy source material into an outline or non-outline form.

Paraphrasing

A note-taking method involving the detailed rewording of source ideas to simplify complex passages while retaining full meaning.

Theoretical Framework

A general frame of reference derived from established theories used for observation, defining concepts, and interpreting findings.

Conceptual Framework

A specific model synthesizing concepts, assumptions, and variables directly tailored to inform a study.

Input-Process-Output (IPO) Model

A structural conceptual framework diagram illustrating how data for research variables are gathered (Input), statistically treated (Process), and converted into a practical application (Output).

In-Text Citation

Indicating the source of information within the body of the text using author last name and publication year.

Reference Citation

Providing complete bibliographic information listed in the reference section at the end of a paper.

APA Style

Citation style developed by the American Psychological Association, used in social sciences, education, economics, and business.

MLA Style

Citation style developed by the Modern Language Association, used in English, arts, and humanities.

Chicago Style

Citation style from the Chicago Manual of Style, used widely in history and music.

Relevance

A factor in selecting a research topic that refers to how important and useful the research topic is to a particular field.

Interest

A factor in selecting a research topic referring to the researcher's personal curiosity, motivation, or enthusiasm about the topic.

Manageability

A factor in selecting a research topic referring to whether the topic can realistically be completed within the available time, scope, participants, and level of expertise.

Available Resources

A factor in selecting a research topic referring to the materials, information, participants, technology, funding, facilities, and other support needed to conduct research.