Nature of Inquiry and Quantitative Research

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the fundamental concepts of research inquiry, the differences between qualitative and quantitative methods, specific quantitative designs, and the types of variables used in scientific investigations.

Inquiry

The act of asking questions, probing, or examining to find out the truth, information, or knowledge; it is often spontaneous and based on immediate curiosity.

Research

A systematic and organized process of gathering and analyzing information to increase understanding, characterized by scientific, experimental, or inductive thinking.

'cerhier'

The old French word for research which means to seek or search.

Qualitative Research

A research method focused on understanding concepts, thoughts, or experiences through in-depth insights using verbal, narrative, or visual data.

Quantitative Research

A research method focused on testing theories or hypotheses by collecting and analyzing numerical data for statistical analysis.

Thematic Analysis

The process of analyzing qualitative data by identifying patterns, categories, and themes within the text.

Statistical Analysis

The process of analyzing quantitative data using mathematical models and formulas.

Standardized Instruments

Validated tools like surveys or checklists that ensure data collection is objective by asking the exact same questions to every respondent.

Replication

A core trait of quantitative research where a study can be repeated by others using the same methods to verify the findings.

Margin of Error

A statistical concept where the larger the sample size, the smaller the error, making conclusions more reliable.

Experimental Design

A research design where the researcher manipulates variables to establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship.

Non-Experimental Design

A research design where the researcher acts as an observer and measures variables as they naturally occur without manipulation.

Experimental Group

The group in an experiment that receives the treatment or intervention.

Control Group

The group in an experiment that does not receive the intervention, serving as a baseline for comparison.

True Experimental Design

The most rigorous research design requiring manipulation of variables, a control group, and randomization.

Pre-Experimental Design

The simplest and weakest form of experimental design, typically observing a single group without a control group for comparison.

Quasi-Experimental Design

A research design that includes a control group but lacks randomization, often using intact groups like school classes.

Survey Research

A non-experimental design used to gather information from a population sample through methods like questionnaires.

Correlational Research

A non-experimental design that investigates the degree to which two or more variables relate to each other.

Ex-Post Facto Research

A research design meaning "after the fact" that investigates causes of an event that has already occurred.

Comparative Research

A design that involves comparing and contrasting two or more study subjects based on specific variables.

Evaluative Research

A type of research that seeks to assess or judge the current state of a program or policy.

Methodological Research

Research that focuses on the development, testing, and evaluation of research instruments and methods.

Variable

Any characteristic, number, or quantity that can be measured or counted, designated as $x$ or $y$.

Independent Variable (IV)

The variable that the researcher manipulates or changes; it represents the "cause" in a study.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The variable that the researcher measures for change; it represents the "effect" in a study.

Extraneous Variable

Any variable other than the independent variable that could potentially affect the outcome of the dependent variable.

Control Variable

An extraneous variable that is successfully kept constant throughout the duration of a study.

Confounding Variable

An extraneous variable that was not controlled and actively interfered with the research results.

Interval Variable

A numeric variable where differences between values are meaningful, but there is no true zero point, such as temperature measured in $^\text{o}\text{C}$ or $^\text{o}\text{F}$.

Ratio Variable

A numeric variable with meaningful differences and a true zero point, indicating the absence of the trait, such as height or weight ($0\text{\thinspace kg}$).

Nominal Variable

A categorical variable used for naming or labeling strictly without inherent order, such as gender or blood type.

Ordinal Variable

A categorical variable with a clear ranking or order, though the exact difference between ranks is not measurable, such as class rank ($1\text{st}$, $2\text{nd}$, $3\text{rd}$).