EBD 601 Ch. 1

Case study research

in-depth investigation of one unit (individual, group, institution, organization, program, or document)

causal-comparative research

research that attempts to determine the cause, or reason, for existing differences in the behavior or status of groups of individuals. also called ex post facto research

correlation

quantitative measure of the degree of correspondence btw two or more variables 

ethnographic research

study of cultural patterns & perspectives of participants in their natural setting: a form of qualitative research. also called ethnography

research

formal, systematic application of the scientific method to the study of problems

formative evaluation

evaluation whose function is to form & improve a program or product under development so that weaknesses that can be remedied during implementation

single-subject experimental designs 

designs applied when the sample size is one; used to study the behavior change that an indvidual or group exhibits as a result of some intervention or treatment. also called single-case experimental designs

survey research

survey research involves collecting data to test hypotheses or to answer questions about people’s opinions on some problem or issue

correlation coefficient

a decimal number btw 21.00 & 11.00 that indicates the degree to which two variables are related

quantiative research

collection of numerical data to explain, predict, and/or control phenomena of interest

dependent variable

change or difference in a behavior or characteristic that occurs as a result of the independent or grouping variable. Also called effect, outcome, or posttest

sample

a number of individuals, items, or events selected from a population for a study, preferably in such a way that they represent the larger group from which they were selected

action research

any systematic inquiry conducted by teachers, principals, school counselors, or other stakeholders in the teaching-learning environment to gather info about the ways in which their particular schools operate, the teacher teach, and the students learn

educational research

the formal, systematic application of the scientific method to the study of educational problems

inductive reasoning

reasoning that involves developing generalizations based on observations of a limited number of related events or experiences

evaluation research

systematic process of collecting & analyzing data on the quality, effectiveness, merit, or value of programs, products, or practices for the purpose of making decisions about those programs, products, or practices

experimental research

research in which at least one independent variable is manipulated, other relevant variables are controlled, and the effect on one or more dependent variables is observed

grouping variable

the cause, behavior, or characteristic believed to influence some other behavior or characteristic in causal comparative research

variable

a concept (intelligence, height, aptitude) that can assume any one of a range of values

summative evaluation

evaluation whose function is to summarize the overall quality or worth of a program or product at its completion

deductive reasoning

reasoning that involves developing specific conclusions based on general principles, observations, or experiences

correlational research

research that involves collecting data to determine whether, and to what degree, a relation exists btw two or more quantifiable variables

qualitative research

the collection, analsyis, & interpretation of comprehensive narrative & visual data to gain insights into particular phenomenon of interest. Sometimes called naturalistic research, naturalistic inquiry, or field-oriented research

scientific method

an orderly process that entails recognition & definition of a problem, formulation of hypotheses, collection of data, analysis of data, & statement of conclusions regarding confirmation or disconfirmation of the hypotheses

applied research

as the name implies, is conducted for the purpose of applying or testing a theory to determine its usefulness in solving practical problems

research & development

an extensive process of researching consumer needs & then developing products specifically designed to fulfill those needs; in education, focus on creating effective products for use in schools

hypothesis

an explanation for the occurrence of certain behaviors, phenomena, or events; prediction of research findings

narrative research

study of how different humans experience the world around them; involves a methodology that allows people to tell the stories of their “storied lives”