Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research

These flashcards cover fundamental concepts of qualitative and quantitative research, including definitions and characteristics of various research elements.

Qualitative Research

Research expressed in words, used to understand concepts, thoughts, or experiences.

Quantitative Research

Research expressed in numbers and graphs, used to test or confirm theories and assumptions.

Independent Variable

The variable that is being manipulated in an experiment to examine its effect on a dependent variable.

Dependent Variable

A variable that depends on the independent variable; affected by its change.

Control Group

The group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment and is used for comparison.

Experimental Group

The group in an experiment that receives the treatment.

Confounding Variable

An outside influence that changes the effect of a dependent and independent variable.

Nominal Level of Measurement

Categorizes and labels variables, with no mathematical computations possible.

Ordinal Level of Measurement

Ranks categories in order, but differences between data entries are not meaningful.

Interval Level of Measurement

Data are quantitative and differences between entries can be calculated, but a zero entry does not signify an inherent zero.

Ratio Level of Measurement

Similar to interval level, but a zero entry is meaningful, indicating absence of the quantity.