PRACTICAL RESEARCH II - Quantitative Research Concepts

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts from the Practical Research II notes, focused on quantitative research fundamentals, design, measurement, and scholarly writing.

What is Research?

Finding truth by looking into a problem or question.

Why does research matter?

Helps make smart choices, understand trends, solve problems.

What is Quantitative Research?

Uses numbers and measurements to find facts; deals with numbers and statistics.

Fill in the Blank: Quantitative Research asks questions like , , and _.

How many; How often; How much

What does objectivity mean in quantitative research?

No personal feelings, just facts.

What does systematic mean in quantitative research?

Follows clear steps (plan, collect, record, analyze) without skipping steps.

What does replicable mean in research?

Others can repeat the study and obtain similar results.

What is a large sample?

Studying many people to get a good overall picture (e.g., 500 students vs 10).

What does statistical mean in quantitative research?

Uses math to understand data.

Name one strength of quantitative research.

Accurate & Objective.

Name a weakness of quantitative research.

Misses 'Why' (feelings or deep reasons); some things are not easily measurable; can be rigid.

What is Descriptive research?

Describes a situation, behavior, or condition without trying to determine causation.

What is Correlational research?

Looks at whether two things are related; a link does not prove causation.

What is Quasi-Experimental research?

Tests cause-and-effect but does not fully control all factors; groups may be pre-formed.

What is Experimental research?

Tests cause-and-effect with full control and random assignment.

Define Numeric Variables and differentiate Continuous vs Discrete.

Numeric variables use numbers; Continuous can take any value (including decimals); Discrete only whole numbers.

Define Categorical Variables and describe Nominal vs Ordinal vs Dichotomous vs Polychotomous.

Categorical data grouped into categories: Nominal (no order, e.g., Dog/Cat), Ordinal (ordered, differences not equal), Dichotomous (two categories, e.g., Male/Female), Polychotomous (more than two categories).

What is an Independent Variable (IV)?

The thing you change or manipulate (the cause).

What is a Dependent Variable (DV)?

The thing you measure (the effect).

What is an Extraneous Variable?

Other things that could affect results but aren't part of the main study.

What is Univariate analysis?

Involves one variable; describes or analyzes a single data set.

What is Bivariate analysis?

Involves two variables; examines a relationship or comparison.

What is Multivariate (Polyvariate) analysis?

Involves three or more variables; analyzes complex relationships.

Where is Quantitative Research used? (List a few fields)

Education, Business, Health, Social Sciences, Agriculture, Engineering/Tech, Environmental Science, Criminology/Law, Tourism/Hospitality, Sports/PE, Media/Communication.

What does Conceptualization mean in designing research?

The first step; shaping an idea into something researchable.

What is AIM-RTC?

AIM-RTC stands for Ability, Interest, Manageability, Resources, Time, Contribution.

What is a Research Topic?

The general subject you want to study.

What is a Research Problem?

The specific question or issue your research will address.

What is a Research Title?

The official name of your paper, combining topic and problem.

How long should a Research Title be and how should it be written?

Under 15 words; no abbreviations; should be a statement, not a question.

What is Background of the Study in Chapter 1?

Introduces topic, explains importance, and notes the research gap.

What is the Research Gap?

The missing piece in existing knowledge that justifies the study.

What are the elements of the Statement of the Problem (SOP)?

Main research question followed by specific, numbered questions.

What is a Research Hypothesis (Ha) vs Null Hypothesis (Ho)?

Ho: no relationship or difference; Ha: there is a relationship or difference.

What are Scope and Delimitations?

Scope: what the study will cover; Delimitations: what it will not cover; Limitations: factors you cannot control.

What is the Significance of the Study?

Explains who benefits and why the study matters.

What are Definitions of Terms (Conceptual vs Operational)?

Conceptual: dictionary meaning; Operational: how the term is measured or used in the study.

What is a Conceptual Framework?

A map showing how main ideas and variables are connected.

Name three common conceptual frameworks.

IPO Model (Input-Process-Output); IV-DV Model (Independent vs Dependent Variables); Theoretical Model.

What is an RRL?

Review of Related Literature – finding, reading, and writing about what others have studied on your topic.

How do you search for RRL effectively?

Use academic sites (e.g., Google Scholar); check trustworthy sources; analyze findings and identify gaps.

What is plagiarism and its types?

Using someone else’s words or ideas without credit; types include Direct, Paraphrasing, Patchwork, Accidental, and Self-Plagiarism.

How can you avoid plagiarism?

Cite sources; use quotes for exact words; paraphrase in your own words and cite; ensure proper attribution.