Data Collection Module 2

Anomalous

Unexpected patterns in data that do not seem to fit the theory being proposed

Cohort

Individuals or groups with a common starting point

Cohort design

A longitudinal study in which data are collected at two or more points in time from individuals in a cohort

Cross-sectional research design

A study in which data are collected at only one point in time

Deductive research

The type of research in which a specific expectation is deduced from a general premise and is then tested

Dependent variable

A variable that is hypothesized to vary depending on or under the influence of another variable

Direction of association

A pattern in a relationship between two variables - that is, the value of a variable tends to change consistently in relation to change in the other variable. The direction of association can be either positive or negative

Ecological fallacy

An error in reasoning in which conclusions about individual-level processes are drawn from group-level data

Group unit of analysis

A unit of analysis in which groups are the source of data and the focus of conclusions

Hypothesis

A tentative statement about empirical reality involving a relationship between two or more variables

Independent variable

A variable that is hypothesized to cause, or lead to, variation in another variable

Individual unit of analysis

A unit of analysis in which individuals are the source of data and the focus of conclusions

Inductive reasoning

The type of reasoning that moves from the specific to the general

Inductive research

The type of research in which general conclusions are drawn from specific data

Longitudinal research design

A study in which data are collected that can be ordered in time; also defined as research in which data are collected at two or more points in time

Panel design

A longitudinal study in which data are collected from the same individuals - the panel - at two or more points in time

Reductionist fallacy (reductionism)

An error in reasoning that occurs when incorrect conclusions about group-level processes are based on individual-level data

Research circle

A diagram of the elements of the research process, including theories, hypotheses, data collection, and data analysis

Serendipitous

Unexpected patterns in data, which stimulate new ideas or theoretical approaches

Social research question

A question about the social world that is answered through the collection and analysis of firsthand, verifiable, empirical data

Theory

A logically interrelated set of propositions about empirical reality

Trend (repeated cross-sectinoal) design

A longitudinal study in which data are collected at two or more points in time from different samples of the same population

Units of analysis

The entities being studied, whose behavior is to be understood

Variable

A characteristic or property that can vary (take on different values or attributes)