AY2025-2026 PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2 - STEM Data Collection Methods (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on STEM data collection methods, triangulation, ethics, and measurement concepts.

Surveys

Quantitative data collection method using structured questions to gather responses from many participants, often via forms or online surveys.

• Fast and easy to analyze.

• Can lack honesty if anonymous.

Interviews

Qualitative, one-on-one, in-depth questioning to explore personal experiences, feelings, or opinions.

• Detailed and personal insights.

• Time consuming and may have interviewer bias.

Focus Groups

Small-group discussions used to collect multiple perspectives on a topic and generate ideas.

Observations

Systematic watching of people or events without interfering to record behaviors or processes.

• Real Behavior

• A researcher interpretation can be biased.

Document Analysis

Reviewing existing records (grades, attendance, reports) to identify patterns or insights.

Medical/School Records

Existing documents used as data sources; generally reliable and objective but may be outdated or lack context.

• Reliable and Objective

• Not updated or may miss context.

Strength

A favorable aspect or advantage of a method.

Limitation

A drawback or potential issue or constraint of a method.

Bias

Systematic error in data due to study design or researcher influence, leading to skewed results.

Validity

The extent to which data measure what they are intended to measure.

Discrepancies in Data

Inconsistencies between data sources or methods that indicate measurement or interpretation differences.

Triangulation

Using multiple data collection methods (e.g., surveys, interviews, observations) to improve accuracy and validity.

Qualitative Techniques

Methods used to study experiences and cultures in depth, such as phenomenological interviews and ethnographic participation.

Phenomenological Interview

A qualitative interview that explores the lived experiences of a phenomenon.

Ethnographic Participation

A qualitative approach where the researcher lives in or participates within a culture or group to observe dynamics.

Covert, Non-Participant

Observation where the researcher watches without interacting or informing participants.

Participant-As-Observer

The researcher joins an activity while taking notes for research.

Complete Participant

The researcher fully participates and may blend in, sometimes with a hidden role.

Structured Interview

An interview format with fixed questions and order.

Open-Ended Questions

Questions that invite detailed, narrative responses rather than fixed options.

Skip Logic

A questionnaire feature that directs respondents to different questions based on previous answers. Questions that suggest a desired answer and bias responses.

Pilot Testing

Testing a questionnaire with a small group to check clarity and flow before full deployment.

Pre Test / Post-Test

Measurements taken before and after an intervention to assess impact.

Quasi-Experimental Design

An experimental design without random assignment, often using pre-test/post-test with comparison groups.

Large-scale Data Collection

Collecting data from many respondents using scalable tools to achieve broad coverage.

Standardized Questionnaire

A fixed set of questions used across all respondents to enable reliable comparisons.

Unobtrusive Data Collection

Gathering data without interacting with participants to avoid influencing behavior.

Digital Trace Analysis

Analyzing digital logs and usage data to infer patterns and behaviors.

Interview Formats

Different approaches to conducting interviews (e.g., structured, semi-structured, unstructured).

Informed Consent

Participants are fully aware of the study details, risks, and voluntarily agree to participate.

FIRE-O

A mnemonic for data types: Focus group, Interview, Records, Experiments, Observation.

DART

A mnemonic for triangulation value: Diverse sources, Accuracy, Reduced bias, Trustworthiness.

SOAP

A mnemonic for ethical research: Study explained, Opt-in, Anonymity, Purpose clear.

Qualitative

Uses text and image data.

Quantitative

Uses numerical data.

External Participation

Observation from video recordings or off-site camera.

Passive Participation

Researcher is present at the scene but does not interact and serves only as a spectator.

Balanced Participation

Researcher is an insider and an outsider, and may participate in some (but not all) activities.

Active Participation

Researcher does what others in the setting do.

Total Participation

Researcher is a natural participant.

Data Collection Instruments

Books, professional journals, other researchers, combine or adapt one or more tools, develop your own instrument.

• Must be valid and reliable.

• Should provide comparable data.

• Should be designed in a way that cheating is minimized.

• Must be able to gather data that are appropriate.

Categorical Quantitative Analysis

Describes people and things in discrete categories.

Continuous Quantitative Analysis

Numbers on a continuous scale that can be measured with different levels of precision.

Frequencies

Usually translated into percentages and tables.

Crosstab

Calculation of a set of frequencies using two or more categorical variables to describe a group.

Mean

The Average

Median

The number in the exact middle of the data set.

Mode

The number or category that appears most frequently.

Variability

The amount of variation or disagreement in your results.