Psychological Research Methodology & Design Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering research designs, sampling strategies, validity and reliability standards, ethical protocols, data gathering procedures, and credibility metrics from Dr. Hardie Gieben Cruz's lecture notes.

A research approach that focuses on numerical data, statistical analysis, and testing variables.

Quantitative Research

A research approach that seeks to understand human meaning, lived experiences, perspectives, and deep contextual observation.

Qualitative Research

A quantitative design that measures relationships between multiple variables without implying causation.

Correlational Design

A quantitative design that tests causality using existing or pre-formed groups rather than random assignment.

Quasi-Experimental Design

A quantitative design that tests causality with full control over variables and participant assignment.

Experimental Design

A qualitative research framework that explores individuals' lived experiences regarding a specific shared phenomenon.

Phenomenology

A qualitative framework that examines and analyzes people's life stories.

Narrative Research

A qualitative framework providing an in-depth examination of a specific individual, group, or event.

Case Study

A qualitative research framework that studies cultural groups and their behaviors.

Ethnography

A qualitative approach that builds explanations and theories directly upward from raw collected data.

Grounded Theory

A research methodology that combines quantitative and qualitative approaches to achieve data triangulation and broader understanding.

Mixed Methods

The entire group of interest in a research study.

Population

A specific, extracted subset of the target population selected for actual study participation.

Sample

A probability sampling technique where participants are selected completely at random to eliminate selection bias entirely.

Simple Random Sampling

A probability sampling technique that involves selecting every nth participant from a structured list or roster.

Systematic Sampling

A probability sampling method where the population is divided into distinct trait-based groups, and equal or proportionate numbers are extracted from each group.

Stratified Sampling

A probability sampling method where existing groups or geographic units are chosen randomly and every individual inside the selected unit is surveyed.

Cluster Sampling

A non-probability sampling technique where participants are selected based purely on immediate accessibility and proximity.

Convenience Sampling

A non-probability sampling strategy where participants are hand-chosen because they possess specific, required characteristics.

Purposive Sampling

A non-probability sampling method where existing participants recruit additional participants from their networks, essential for hidden or hard-to-reach populations.

Snowball Sampling

A non-probability sampling method where participants are pragmatically selected until a pre-determined numerical quota for specific subgroups is reached.

Quota Sampling

The degree to which a research instrument measures exactly what it is intended to measure.

Validity

The ability of a research instrument to produce consistent and repeatable results.

Reliability

A statistical metric used in reliability analysis to verify the internal consistency of an instrument.

Cronbach's Alpha

An ethical requirement prior to study administration where participants are informed of the purpose, procedures, risks, benefits, confidentiality, and their right to withdraw.

Informed Consent Protocol

An ethical data protection protocol aimed at protecting known participant information from unauthorized access through encryption, coding systems, or passwords.

Confidentiality

A data protection protocol where participant identities remain completely unknown to everyone, including the researcher.

Anonymity

The post-participation process of providing full explanations of the research, critically required in experiments and studies involving deception.

Debriefing

A credibility strategy that uses multiple converging sources, methods, investigators, or theoretical frameworks to strengthen study findings.

Triangulation

The continuous examination of researcher bias and how one's own background, values, and assumptions influence the research process.

Reflexivity

A qualitative credibility strategy providing deeply detailed contextual information to allow readers to evaluate transferability.

Thick Description

Maintaining rigorous, detailed records of all research decisions and procedures to establish trustworthiness and credibility.

Audit Trail

A qualitative validation method where participants review researcher interpretations to verify accuracy.

Member Checking

A researcher who belongs directly to the demographic or cultural group being studied.

Insider Researcher

A researcher who is not part of the specific group or culture being studied.

Outsider Researcher

A written declaration acknowledging a researcher's professional background, potential bias points, and the concrete credibility strategies deployed to mitigate them.

Positionality Statement