Basics and Approaches of Research

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms, research approaches, variable types, and ethical considerations from Lesson 6 on Research Basics.

Qualitative Research

A type of research that focuses on understanding people's experiences, perspectives, meanings, behaviors, and descriptions, useful for answering questions like 'What is it like?' or 'Why do people experience this?'

Quantitative Research

A type of research focused on measuring phenomena through numerical data that can be counted, compared, and analyzed to identify patterns, differences, or relationships.

Mixed-method Research

A research approach that intentionally combines qualitative and quantitative approaches to provide a more complete understanding of a research problem.

Descriptive Research

A methodological approach used to describe behaviors, situations, events, or outcomes as they naturally occur without explaining cause-and-effect relationships.

Correlational Research

A research approach that examines the relationship between two or more variables to determine whether they change together and how strongly they are associated, without establishing causation.

Exploratory Research

A flexible and open-ended research approach used to investigate research questions or topics that have not yet been studied or understood in depth.

Explanatory Research

A research approach that seeks to develop a deeper understanding of the underlying reasons, causes, and relationships behind a phenomenon by explaining why or how something occurs.

Action Research

A research approach that simultaneously investigates a practical issue and takes action to address or improve it, often involving a cycle of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting.

Variables

Characteristics, qualities, or properties of a sample, individual, or object being studied that can change or be measured, described, and interpreted.

Exploratory Variables

Factors used to explain or predict changes in an outcome variable, serving as possible influences examined by researchers on the result of a study.

Independent Variable

The variable that influences or explains changes in the dependent variable, representing the possible cause or influencing factor in a study.

Dependent Variable

The variable measured as the outcome of a study, representing the possible effect associated with changes in the independent or explanatory variable.

I.C.E.D. Mnemonic

A memory helper for explanatory variables representing Independent Variable = Cause and Effect = Dependent Variable.

Extraneous Variable

A factor not directly focused on in a study that may still affect the outcome and make it difficult to determine the true relationship between independent and dependent variables if uncontrolled.

Responsible Data Collection

An ethical practice requiring researchers to gather only relevant information, obtain informed consent, record data accurately, and avoid manipulating participant responses.

Responsible Data Analysis

An ethical practice requiring objective and systematic analysis, prohibiting data fabrication or manipulation, and acknowledging study limitations.

Responsible Presentation and Reportage

An ethical practice focused on reporting actual results truthfully, citing sources properly, and avoiding the exaggeration or misrepresentation of findings.