AP Research Methodologies definitions

Action Research

Participatory - problem identification, solution, solution review

Case Study Research

Observation of a specific group to determine how and why a situation exists within that group

Causal-Comparative Research

Identify causal relationship among variables that can't be controlled

Content Analysis

Analyze texts and make inferences

Correlational Research

Collect data and determine level of correlation between variables

Critical Incident Technique

Identification of determining incident of a critical event

Delphi Research

Analysis of expert knowledge to forecast future events

Descriptive Research

Study of "as is" phenomena

Ethnographic

Observation of a specific cultural group to identify patterns and trends

Evaluation Research

Study the effectiveness of an intervention or program

Experimental Research

Study the effect of manipulating a variable or variables

Grounded Theory

Produce a theory that explains a process based on observation

Hermeneutic Research

Study the meaning of subjects/texts by concentrating on the historical meaning of the experience and its developmental and cumulative effects on the individual and society

Historical Research

Historical data collection and analysis of person or organization

Meta-analysis Research

Seek patterns in data collected by many existing studies and formulate principals

Narrative Research

Study of a single person's experiences

Needs Assessment

Systematic process of determining the needs of a defined demographic population

Phenomenology

Make sense of lived experiences of participants regarding a specific phenomenon

Quasi-Experimental

Manipulation of variables in populations without benefit of random assignment or control group

Repertory Grid Analysis

Interview process to determine how a person interprets the meaning of an experience

Trend Analysis Research

Formulate a forecast based on the regression analysis of data

True Experimental Research

Structured research with isolated variables and controls

Mixed Method

a research approach that combines both quantitative (numerical) and qualitative (descriptive) data collection and analysis methods within a single study

Phenomenology philosophy

studies how people experience the world, and is concerned with the structures of experience and consciousness. It's based on the idea that the lived experience of humans is the source of all value and meaning

Positivsm Philosophy

a paradigm that relies on measurement and reason, that knowledge is revealed from a neutral and measurable (quantifiable) observation of activity, action or reaction. Positivism states that if something is not measurable in this way it cannot be known for certain

Conclusive Research

a type of research that provides information that can be used to make decisions or reach conclusions. It's typically quantitative, meaning it uses numbers that can be summarized and quantified

exploratory research

a type of research that helps researchers understand a problem, topic, or issue, and is often used to generate new hypotheses or ideas

qualitative

gathers participants' experiences, perceptions, and behavior. It answers the hows and whys instead of how many or how much

quantitative

a research method that involves collecting and analyzing numerical data to explain real-world phenomena and test hypotheses

inductive

a mental process that involves drawing general conclusions from specific observations or data

deductive

a cognitive process that involves drawing specific conclusions from general ideas or premises

primary data

information that is collected directly by a researcher for a specific research purpose

secondary data

information that has already been collected by someone else for a different purpose