Research Methods Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and definitions from the provided research methods lecture notes.

Primary data

Data collected through first-hand experience for an intended purpose; raw data.

Secondary data

Data obtained second hand through research conducted or data collected by another person for another purpose.

Qualitative data

Data that describes characteristics and qualities; Words, photographs, videos, audio and other recordings that are not measured with a number.

Quantitative data

Data involving measurable values and quantities that can be compared on a numerical scale; Measurements such as length, weight or time, or in the form of frequencies and tallies.

Percentage

A part of a whole, expressed as a proportion out of 100.

Percentage change

A calculation of the degree of change in a value over time; it allows you to compare an old value and a new value, and to see how the value has increased or decreased.

Measures of central tendency

A category of statistics that describe the central value of a set of data; Includes mean, median, and mode.

Mean

The average value of a set of data; a typical, central value that gives an overall idea of the data set.

Median

The middle value in an ordered set of data.

Mode

The value that occurs most frequently within a set of data; the most common value.

Measures of variability

A category of statistics that describe the distribution of data.

Standard deviation

Shows the spread of the data around the mean; indicates how close each data value lies to the average.

Tables

A way of organising data and/or summary statistics to clearly compare the results of different groups in a study.

Bar charts

Used to display data that has discrete categories.

Line graphs

Used when data is numerical and continuous.

True value

The value, or range of values, that would be found if the quantity could be measured perfectly.

Accuracy

How close a measurement is to the true value of the quantity being measured.

Precision

How close a set of measurement values are to each other; how exact a measurement is.

Repeatability

How close successive measurements of the same quantity are when carried out under the same conditions.

Reproducibility

How close measurements of the same quantity are when carried out under different conditions.

Validity

Whether a measurement measures what it is supposed to be measuring.

Internal validity

Refers to a study investigating what it sets out or claims to investigate.

External Validity

Refers to whether the results of the research can be applied to similar individuals in a different setting. Can you generalise to the wider population?

Personal errors

Include mistakes, miscalculations and observer errors made when conducting research.

Measurement error

The difference between the measured value and the true value of what is being measured.

Systematic errors

Affect the accuracy of a measurement by causing readings to differ from the true value by a consistent amount or by the same proportion each time a measurement is made.

Random errors

Affect the precision of a measurement by creating unpredictable variations in the measurement process; they result in a spread of readings.

Uncertainty

Refers to a lack of exact knowledge of the value being measured.

Outliers

Values that lie a long way from other results.

Opinion

A judgement that is not necessarily based on proof.

Anecdote

A short personal account of an event.

Evidence

Verified fact.

Conclusion

A statement about the findings of a study; addresses the aim of the study and states whether the original hypothesis was found to be supported by the evidence.

Limitations of conclusions

Refer to design flaws in the study that may limit the conclusions of an investigation.

Implications

Discuss the impact that the study might have on the population, relevant theory and future research in the chosen area.

Scientific report

Explains your research and includes the following main sections: abstract, introduction, method, results and discussion.

Abstract

A concise summary of the whole report, including the aim, hypothesis, procedures or methods, major findings and conclusions.

Introduction section

Includes the information that is required for the reader to understand what the research is trying to achieve and why it is important, including previous research that has been done in the area of interest and other background information, such as psychological concepts, definitions of key terms and theories.

Methodology section

Describes how the study was undertaken, including participants, materials/equipment, and procedures.

Results section

Displays all the relevant findings and evidence collected in the study.

Discussion section

Explains the findings and concludes the investigation; includes a statement of whether the hypothesis was supported, analyses limitations of the study’s design, suggests improvements to the study, and finishes with a final detailed conclusion.

References and acknowledgements section

Contains a complete list of all the sources referred to in the report, including the sources for the background research, theories, concepts, key term definitions and quotes.

Scientific poster

A large poster displaying research findings.