Textbook vocabulary pg. 20-42

Correlation

the amount of linear relationship between two variables

Effect size

absolute value of correlation coefficient (-1 to 1)

Statistical significance

the likelihood that the study can be replicated and the correlation will be close to a 0 (must be less than 5%)

The third variable problem

to see if the reason for a seeming correlation is due to an outside third variable

Curvilinear relationship

cases when the correlation is a relationship that is not linear

Spurious correlations

if there are multiple correlations between multiple variables, then there is a chance of statistical significance being due to random chance

Trustworthiness

the credibility of the research

Method triangulation

using different methods to strengthen the credibility of research

Data triangulation

using a variety of sources that are explained

Researcher triangulation

to combine the views of multiple researchers; if multiple people feel the same way, it increases the credibility of the research

Theory triangulation

using multiple theories to interpret gathered data

Establishing a rapport

act in the comfort of the participant to ensure honesty 

Iterative questioning

rephrasing questions in a way that doesn’t induce bias

Reflexivity

researcher bias

Epistemological reflexivity

how the data collection process may have altered data

Personal reflexivity

how personal beliefs may have influenced data collection

Credibility checks

to make sure that what the participants said matches what is written in the data

“Thick descriptions”

context for the research to show its relevance 

Acquiescence bias

feeling to give an answer that is believed to be correct due to the way the question is worded

Social desirability bias

answering in a way that makes people feel like they will be liked

Dominant respondent bias

feeling obligated to say or act in the same way as the majority

Sensitivity bias

distortion of answers when it comes to sensitive subjects

Confirmation bias

using research unintentionally to confirm a previous belief

Leading questions bias

when the wording of a question influences the answer given

Question order bias

when the response given to one question influences the answer of another question

Sampling bias

when sample isn’t representative of what is needed for the research

Biased reporting

when findings are altered to make them “fit” more with data

Quota sampling

when participants are picked with a particular characteristic in mind

Purposive sampling

similar to quota sampling but proportions and sampling size aren’t determined beforehand

Theoretical sampling

stops when data saturation is reached

Data saturation

no new information can be gathered from participants

Snowball sampling

participants bring in people they know who also want to participate

Convenience sampling

using the sample that is most easily available to the researcher

Sample to population generalization

to pick a sample based on the population of interest for the study so the research can be generalized to that population

Theoretical generalization

generalizations made in regards to a particular theory

Case to case generalization/transferability

how the research is relevant in a certain type of context

Laboratory vs. Naturalistic observation

when data is collected in natural settings rather than in an area where an experiment was set up

Overt observation

participants are aware of the fact that they are being observed

Covert observation

the participants don’t know what they are being observed for

Participant observation

when the observer is actually a part of the observed group

Structered vs. unstructured observation

when observation is structured and systematic

Structured interviews

when there are fixed questions that need to be asked in a certain order

Semi-structured interviews

more like a checklist of questions; don’t need to be asked in a certain order

Unstructered interviews

questions are based on the participants previous answers

Inductive content analysis

there must be a balance between description and interpretation

Memos

an explanation of why certain decisions were made during analysis

Grounded theory

comes solely from the data collected in the experiment

Informed consent

the participants in the study are participating voluntarily and are completly aware of all information pertaining to the experiment

Protection from harm

all participants must be protected from both mental and physical harm

Anonymity and confidentiality

the participants identity stays protected

Withdrawl from participation

participants can leave if they feel the need to

Deception

keep a small amount of deception so the participant doesn’t alter what they are being tested for

Debriefing

participants much know everything about the study once the study is over

Data fabrication

to edit data to say something else from what it actually is

Plagiarism

to copy someone elses work

Publication credit

the author of the work should be clearly and correctly stated

Sharing research data for verification

all data must be shared explicitly when research is published