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Definitions from AMSCO Book
Quantitative Research
Research that collects and analyzes numerical data to understand patterns, averages, predictions, and cause-effect relationships.
Qualitative Research
Research focused on collecting non-numerical data, such as interviews or observations, to explore concepts, experiences, or behaviors in depth.
Likert Scales
A psychometric scale commonly used in surveys, where participants rate their level of agreement or disagreement on a scale, often from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree).
Institutional Review
The process by which research proposals are evaluated to ensure they meet ethical standards, often overseen by an Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Informed Consent
A process in which participants are fully informed about the nature, purpose, and potential risks of a study before agreeing to participate.
Protect from Harm
An ethical principle requiring researchers to ensure participants are not exposed to physical or psychological harm during the research process.
Confidentiality
The practice of keeping participants’ data private and ensuring that personal information is not disclosed without permission.
Research Confederates
Individuals who appear to be participants in a study but are actually working with the researchers to manipulate certain aspects of the experiment.
Debriefing
The process of informing participants about the true nature and purpose of a study after their involvement, especially if deception was used.
IRB (Institutional Review Board)
A committee that reviews research proposals to ensure they comply with ethical standards and protect the rights and welfare of participants.
Descriptive Statistics
Techniques for organizing and describing data sets.
Histogram
A type of bar graph where the bars touch each other to represent continuous data rather than discrete data. The x-axis shows equal segments of the variable being measured, and the y-axis represents the frequency of occurrences within each segment. The touching bars indicate that the data is continuous.
Scatterplot
A type of graph designed to display correlational data so that the relationship between the two variables is visible.
Measure of Central Tendency
A statistical summary that indicates the point around which all the scores in a data distribution cluster. It helps researchers understand the central point of the data after it has been organized and graphed.
Mode
The most frequently occurring score in a data set.
Mean
The average number in a data set.
Median
The middle number in a set of scores.
Percentile Rank
The percentage of scores in a distribution that a particular score falls above.
Skewed Distribution
A distribution where scores are not evenly distributed around the mean, causing a tail on one side of the distribution. The data is clustered at one end.
Bimodal Distribution
A frequency distribution with two distinct peaks or modes.
Measures of Variation
Statistical measures, such as range and standard deviation, that describe the spread or dispersion of scores in a dataset.
Range
The span of the scores in a data set.
Standard Deviation
The average distance from the mean for a set of scores.
Normal Curve
A symmetrical, bell-shaped curve that represents the distribution of many types of data, where most scores cluster around the mean.
Inferential Statistics
Statistical methods used to draw conclusions or make predictions about a population based on data from a sample.
Meta-Analysis
A research method that combines and analyzes the results of multiple studies to identify overall trends or effects.
Statistical Significance
A measure of how likely it is that the results of a study occurred by chance or due to the manipulation of the independent variable, typically indicated by a p-value of less than 0.05.
P-Value
A statistical measure that helps determine whether the results of an experiment are statistically significant, or unlikely to have occurred by chance. Less than or equal to 0.05.
Effect Size
A measure of the strength or magnitude of a relationship or difference between variables in a study.
Reliability
The consistency or repeatability of a research study or measurement; a reliable study yields similar results under consistent conditions.
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