Research Methods Review Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for review of lecture notes on research methods, covering experimental design, survey research, qualitative research, secondary data analysis, content analysis, evaluation research, and policy analysis.

Experimental Design

A research design that involves manipulating an independent variable to determine its effect on a dependent variable.

Causality Criteria

Criteria that must be met to establish that one variable causes another, including association, time order, and nonspuriousness.

Quasi-Experimental Designs

Research designs that resemble experimental designs but do not have full experimental control, often lacking random assignment.

Statistical Controls

Statistical techniques used to control for extraneous variables in quasi-experimental designs.

Internal Validity Threats

Factors that threaten the ability to draw causal inferences from a study, such as history, maturation, and testing.

Survey Research

A research method in which information is collected from a sample of individuals through their responses to a set of questions.

Features of Survey Research

Characteristics such as versatility, efficiency, and generalizability make this research method so popular

Rules for Writing Survey Questions

Guidelines for creating survey questions that are clear, concise, and unbiased to ensure accurate measurement.

Measurement Validity

The extent to which scores on a test accurately reflect the concept it is intended to measure .

Questionnaire Organization

The arrangement and ordering of questions in a survey to optimize respondent engagement and data quality

Survey Designs

Different approaches to conducting surveys, including cross-sectional, longitudinal, and panel designs.

Qualitative Research

A research approach that seeks to understand the meaning and context of social phenomena through in-depth, non-numerical data.

Origins of Qualitative Research

The roots and historical development of qualitative inquiry in social sciences.

Ethnographic Studies

Types of studies that explore the culture and social life of groups or communities.

Roles of Participation and Observation

The Continuum from being an insider to being an outsider when conducting field research.

Participant Observation Process

The process of gaining access, building trust, collecting data, and managing relationships in field research.

Intensive Interviewing

A qualitative data collection method that involves open-ended, probing questions to elicit detailed information from participants.

Focus Groups

A small group discussion guided by a moderator to gather opinions and insights on a particular topic.

Secondary Data

Data collected by someone other than the researcher, such as government statistics or existing datasets.

Influence on Secondary Data Quality

Factors such as data quality, relevance, and completeness that can affect the validity of secondary data analysis.

Ethical Issues in Secondary Data Analysis

Concerns related to privacy, confidentiality, and informed consent when using existing data sources.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Secondary Data

Benefits and drawbacks of utilizing existing data for research purposes.

Historical Research

The investigation and interpretation of past events using historical documents and records.

Comparative Research

Research that compares data from different groups, societies, or time periods.

Content Analysis

A research method for systematically analyzing the symbolic content of communication, such as text, images, or audio.

Reliability and Validity in Coding Procedures

Challenges in creating coding schemes that are consistent and accurate for content analysis.

Evaluation Research

Research conducted to assess the effects of social or other interventions.

Policy Analysis

Systematic assessment of the operation, effectiveness, and impact of social policies.

Inputs, Outputs, and Outcomes

Resources invested in a program, the services delivered, and the results achieved.

Types of Evaluation Research

Different approaches to assessing programs, including needs assessment, process evaluation, and impact evaluation.

Design Decisions

The importance of selecting appropriate research methods to match the goals of an evaluation study.

Goal of Policy Research

The application of research methods to analyze and inform the development, implementation, and modification of policies.

Evidence-Based Policies

Policies that are supported by rigorous evidence of their effectiveness.

Lack of Randomization Challenges

Practical challenges in evaluation research, such as the difficulty of random assignment.