Research Methodology Vocabulary – Week 1-8 Overview

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture notes on research methods, including types of research, design, variables, sources, and reporting standards.

Inquiry

Process of seeking, examining, and investigating driven by curiosity, wonder, or passion.

Research

Systematic investigation involving science, experiments, data collection, organization, and analysis.

Quantitative Research

Research that collects numerical data for analysis; deductive, objective, outcome-oriented; data analyzed as numbers; aims for reliability and objectivity.

Qualitative Research

Research that collects narrative data; inductive, subjective, holistic, process-oriented; focuses on words and meanings.

Deductive

Reasoning from general principles to specific conclusions.

Inductive

Reasoning from specific observations to general conclusions.

Objective

Unbiased, impartial, not influenced by personal feelings.

Subjective

Perspective influenced by personal feelings, beliefs, or interpretations.

Descriptive Statistics

Statistical techniques that summarize and organize data, e.g., tabulation and simple summaries.

Experimental Design

Research design that manipulates one or more independent variables to observe effects on dependent variables; aims to reveal causal relationships.

True Experiment

Experimental design with random assignment, control group, and manipulation of the independent variable.

Control Group

A group that does not receive the experimental treatment, used for baseline comparison.

Randomization

Random assignment of participants to groups to reduce bias and ensure comparability.

Intervention

An action or treatment applied to participants to manipulate the independent variable.

Independent Variable (IV)

The cause or condition deliberately manipulated to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The outcome or effect measured in response to changes in the independent variable.

Extraneous Variable

Uncontrolled variables that may affect the dependent variable and confound results.

Intervening Variable

A variable that explains the mechanism linking the IV and DV; part of the causal pathway.

Moderator Variable

A variable that affects the strength or direction of the relationship between IV and DV.

Mediating Variable

An intervening variable that transmits the effect of IV on DV, clarifying how the effect occurs.

Descriptive Design

Design that describes phenomena; typically observational; may not test hypotheses and may require large samples.

Correlational Design

Design that examines relationships between variables; correlation does not imply causation.

Quasi-Experimental Design

Design that investigates causal effects but lacks random assignment of participants.

Ex-post Facto

Study of causes of a phenomenon after it has occurred, using existing differences rather than manipulation.

Primary Source

Original research report authored by the researcher who conducted the study; typically updated, reliable, and relevant.

Secondary Source

Accounts or descriptions of others' work; not the original research.

APA Style

Citation style used by the American Psychological Association for books and journals.

MLA Style

Citation style used by the Modern Language Association.

Chicago Style (CMS)

Citation style from the Chicago Manual of Style.

Concept Map

Graphic representation of concepts showing relationships, causes, and effects; used to illustrate a research framework.

Framework

The basic structure or model outlining components and relationships in a study.

Null Hypothesis (Ho)

Statement of no relationship or no difference between variables.

Alternative Hypothesis (Hi)

Statement proposing a potential relationship or difference between variables.

Operational Definition

Definition of a concept as it is measured or manipulated in the study.

Conceptual Definition

Definition of a term based on scholarly sources such as books and journals.

Scope and Delimitation

The study topic, objectives, time frame, geographic locale, and participant characteristics that bound the research.

Review of Related Literature

Comprehensive analysis and synthesis of existing research to identify gaps and foundations for the study.

Primary Beneficiaries

The main group who will directly gain from the study.

Secondary Beneficiaries

Groups or individuals who may indirectly gain from the study.

Population

The entire group being studied from which samples are drawn.

Sample

A subset of the population selected for the study.

Nominal Variable

Categorical variable with defined groups lacking inherent order.

Ordinal Variable

Categorical variable with natural ranking or order.

Interval Variable

Numerical variable with equal intervals between values; has no true zero.

Dichotomous Variable

Variable with exactly two categories (binary).

Discrete Variable

Variable with countable, separate values (e.g., whole numbers).

Continuous Variable

Variable that can take fractional values within a range.

Reliability

Consistency of a measurement or instrument across repeated trials.

Validity

Accuracy or truthfulness of a measurement; measures what it intends to measure.

Temporal Order

The cause must precede the effect in time for a causal claim.

Measurement

Process of observing and quantifying attributes of objects or events.

Correlation Not Causation

A relationship between variables does not imply that one causes the other.