Research Methods and Ethics in Health and Human Services

A collection of vocabulary flashcards related to research methods and ethics, covering sampling techniques, data analysis, and participant rights.

Simple Random Sampling

Every element within the population has an equal chance of being selected.

Systematic Sampling

Determining a sampling interval by dividing the population size by the desired sample size, selecting a random starting point, and then selecting every kth element.

Stratified Random Sampling

Random samples are taken from mutually exclusive groups within a population.

Convenience Sampling

The sample consists of elements that can be easily recruited or are easily available.

Independent Samples T-Test

Used to determine whether there is a statistically significant difference between the means of two independent groups on a continuous outcome variable.

Internal Validity

The extent to which data in a study can reflect a true cause and effect relationship.

External Validity

Refers to generalizability of the results to other settings, populations, and treatment variables.

Inferential Statistics

Analysis techniques used to make predictions regarding the population based on sample data.

Descriptive Statistics

Analysis techniques used to describe the occurrence of a variable within a sample.

Code

To assign labels or tags to qualitative data segments that represent meaningful ideas, patterns, or concepts.

Randomization

Individuals from the sample are randomly assigned to either the experimental or control condition.

Matching

A procedure in which selected characteristics of one participant group are matched with characteristics of another participant group.

Extraneous Variables

Variables other than those being studied that may impact the outcomes of research.

Treatment Fidelity

The degree to which an intervention is delivered as intended.

Participant Confidentiality

Steps taken to ensure participants' identities and private information are protected during research.

Informed Consent

Ensuring participants are informed about the purpose, risks, benefits, and procedures of a study prior to consenting.

Plagiarism

The representation of another person’s ideas, research, presentation, result, or product as one’s own through irresponsible citation or paraphrasing.

Independent Samples T-Test

Used to determine whether there is a statistically significant difference between the means of two independent groups on a continuous outcome variable.

Internal Validity

The extent to which data in a study can reflect a true cause and effect relationship.

External Validity

Refers to generalizability of the results to other settings, populations, and treatment variables.

Inferential Statistics

Analysis techniques used to make predictions regarding the population based on sample data.

Descriptive Statistics

Analysis techniques used to describe the occurrence of a variable within a sample.

Code

To assign labels or tags to qualitative data segments that represent meaningful ideas, patterns, or concepts.

Randomization

Individuals from the sample are randomly assigned to either the experimental or control condition.

Matching

A procedure in which selected characteristics of one participant group are matched with characteristics of another participant group.

Extraneous Variables

Variables other than those being studied that may impact the outcomes of research.

Treatment Fidelity

The degree to which an intervention is delivered as intended.

Participant Confidentiality

Steps taken to ensure participants' identities and private information are protected during research.

Informed Consent

Ensuring participants are informed about the purpose, risks, benefits, and procedures of a study prior to consenting.

Plagiarism

The representation of another person

's ideas, research, presentation, result, or product as one

's own through irresponsible citation or paraphrasing.

Cluster Sampling

A sampling method where the population is divided into clusters, and a random sample of clusters is selected, with all individuals within chosen clusters included.

Quota Sampling

A non-probability sampling method where researchers create a sample involving individuals that represent a population proportionally, chosen non-randomly from groups.

Snowball Sampling

A non-probability sampling method where initial participants recruit subsequent participants from among their acquaintances.

Construct Validity

The degree to which a test or research design measures what it claims to be measuring.

Content Validity

The extent to which a measure adequately represents all facets of a given construct.

Face Validity

The extent to which a measure appears, on the surface, to measure what it's supposed to measure.

Ecological Validity

The extent to which the findings of a research study are applicable or generalizable to real-world natural settings.

Test-retest Reliability

The consistency of a measure over time, assessing whether the same results are obtained when the measure is administered on different occasions.

Inter-rater Reliability

The degree of agreement between different observers or raters who are assessing the same phenomenon.

Internal Consistency Reliability

The extent to which different items or questions within a multiple-item measure correlate with each other, indicating they measure the same construct.

Independent Variable

The variable that is manipulated or changed by the researcher to observe its effect on an outcome.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured or observed, and is expected to change as a result of the manipulation of the independent variable.

Confounding Variable

An extraneous variable in an observational study that correlates with both the independent and dependent variables, potentially distorting their relationship.

Moderator Variable

A variable that influences the strength or direction of the relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable.

Mediator Variable

A variable that explains the relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable, showing how or why the effect occurs.

Chi-Square Test (\chi^2)

A statistical test used to determine if there is a significant association between two categorical variables or if observed frequencies differ from expected frequencies.