Data Collection and Measurement of Concepts Flashcards

Flashcards covering data collection, sampling, bias, surveys, concepts, and measurement in political research.

What is a target population?

The entire population or group that a researcher is interested in researching and analyzing.

What is a sampling frame?

The set of individuals or items from which a sample has been drawn; ideally, it contains all members of the target population.

What is a sample?

The subset of data taken from the population of interest (target population).

What is sampling bias?

Occurs when some members of the target population are systematically more likely to be selected in a sample than others.

What is Non-response bias?

Happens when people who are unable or unwilling to take part in a research study systematically differ from those who do.

What is Social desirability bias?

The tendency of some respondents to report an answer in a way they deem to be more socially acceptable than would be their 'true' answer.

What is probability sampling?

A sampling procedure in which every unit of a target population has a known nonzero probability of being selected.

What is Simple random sampling (SRS)?

Selects a predetermined number of respondents to be interviewed from a target population, with each potential respondent having an equal chance of being selected.

What is a representative sample?

A sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the larger (target) population it is drawn from.

What is Quota sampling?

Non-probability sampling procedure which sets quotas of certain respondents to be interviewed such that the resulting sample characteristics resemble those of the population.

What are the main types of surveys by data collection method?

Online, telephone, and face-to-face.

What are cross-sectional surveys?

Interview a new sample of people each time they are carried out.

What are longitudinal surveys?

Interview the same sample of people over time.

What are Evocative concepts?

Concepts meant to evoke certain feelings, associations, symbols, etc., often used in political/ideological debates.

What should a conceptual definition entail?

Should entail the list of the concept’s empirical properties and unit of analysis.

What should an operational definition do?

Should suggest the instrument to be used in measuring the concept.

What is the problem of ecological fallacy?

When aggregate-level data are used to make conclusions about the individual level.

What is Systematic measurement error?

Introduces consistent, chronic distortion (bias) into an empirical measurement.

What is Random measurement error?

An inconsistent error that emerges from temporary or haphazard factors.

What is the reliability of a measurement?

The extent to which it is a consistent measure of a concept (or the extent to which there is no random error).

What is the validity of a measurement?

The extent to which it records the true value of the intended characteristic and does not measure any unintended characteristics (or the extent to which there is no systematic error).