Research Terminology

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key research terminology and definitions from the lecture transcript.

Abstract

Summary of a study, found at the beginning of a research article or listing of research presentations

Bias

Potential unintended or unavoidable effect on study outcomes

Control Group

In experimental-type design, independent variable is withheld from these participants; group that does not receive the treatment or undergo something represented by the independent variable in experimental research

Control

Actions that manipulate factors to minimize extraneous variance in a study

Correlational analysis

Method of determining relationships among variables

Convenience sampling

Enroll available participants as they enter the study until the desired sample size is reached; non-randomized

Descriptive statistics

Used to reduce large sets of observations (scores) into more compact and interpretable forms (e.g., mean, median, mode)

Descriptive research

Yields knowledge of population parameters and relationships among those parameters

Effect size

Magnitude of the differences among dependent variables

Directional hypothesis

Direction of the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable is clearly defined

Experimental group

Group in experimental design that receives the experimental (treatment) condition

Evidence-based practice

Model of practice in which decisions are supported by research, experience, and patient preferences

Inference

Extent to which the samples reflect the population at both pretest and posttest times

External validity

Capacity to generalize findings and develop inferences from the sample to the study population

Internal validity

Ability of the research design to answer accurately the research question by minimizing the possibility of bias

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

The board of experts at a university who oversee the ethical conduct of research at the institution.

Likert scale (pronounced “lick0ert” NOT “like-ert”)

Type of scale scored on a $5$- to $7$- point range, indicating participant’s level of positive or negative response to an item

Research design

Plan that specifies and structures the action processes of collecting, analyzing, and reporting data to answer a research question

Measures of Central Tendency

Numerical information regarding the most typical scores in a group (e.g., mean, median, or mode)

Mean

Average score calculated by adding scores and dividing the sum by the number of scores

Quasi-experimental design

Experiments that have treatments and outcome measures but do not use random assignment of participants

Purpose statement

Statement that articulates the specific purpose or reason for conducting the research study; identifies the goals of the study

Levels of statistical significance

Usually $.05$, $.01$, $.001$

Randomization

Selection or assignment of participants based on chance (not systematic)

Retrospective studies

Describe and examine phenomena after the fact or after occurrence

Sample

Subset of the population participating or included in the study

Sampling error

Difference between the values obtained from the sample and the actual outcome/result so selecting another sample from the population MAY produce different outcomes

Statistic

Number derived from a mathematical procedures as part of the analytical process in experimental-type research

Standard deviation

Indicator of the average deviation of score around the mean

True experimental design

Classic, two-group design in which participants are randomly selected and assigned to experimental or control group condition

Survey designs

Indicator of the average deviation of scores around the mean

Type I error

Rejecting the null hypothesis when it is true

Triangulation

Use of multiple strategies or methods to strengthen the credibility of findings in qualitative research

Validity

Extent to which an investigator’s findings are accurate or reflect the purpose of the study

T-test

Parametric test; determines stat sig differences between the means of two sample groups

Measures of variability

Range, mean, variance, standard deviation

Type II error

Failing to reject the null hypothesis when it is false

Independent variable

The treatment or intervention conditions or groups that may be manipulated (e.g., treatment vs. control, or different age groups)

Variable

Concept or construct to which a numerical value is assigned

Reliability

Shows outcome measure/test is repeatable and consistent

Variability

Summary measure, such as range or standard deviation, that describes the distribution of observed values

Random assignment

Participants are put into conditions randomly; no system

Dependent variable

Effect or outcome that is measured as a result of differences in the independent variable

Statistical significance

Mean the outcome of the study is very likely true in the actual population; probability that differences in sample data are true and not a fluke

Hypothesis

Prediction about the outcome of the study

Observational research

Records outcomes related to a specific topic with no manipulation of independent variable

Literature review

Limited explanation of existing literature that supports the current study

P value

Statistical “score” used to determine whether results are probably true

Confidence interval

Range of outcome scores that are likely to contain the true population mean

Research question/s

Narrowly focused questions that identify independent and dependent variables

Population

Overall group represented by the participants in the study

Alternative hypothesis

Prediction that there will be a difference between control and treatment groups

Confounding variable

Additional variable that can influence the DV and IV and lead to invalid results

Quantitative research designs

Data consist of numbers, scores, or frequency counts

Random selection

Pulls participants for the sample randomly; no system

Case study

Published reports of case materials obtained systematically while working with an individual

Inferential statistics

Used to make judgments of the probability that an observed difference between groups is likely true rather than a chance occurrence

Replication

When a study protocol is repeated with a different sample group from the same population. Lends to generalizability of the study .

Problem statement

Beginning of a research article, sets the scene for the study by describing the overall issue (not the purpose)

Homogeneous

Alike; of the same kind

Empirical research

Tests the effectiveness of a treatment by manipulating the independent variable

MBD

Multiple baseline design uses a single-subject research design with multiple participants who are treated individually

Filtered evidence

Review article that identifies, appraises, and summarizes all the research on a specific topic

Non-parametric statistics

Branch of statistics that does not assume the sample data come from a normally distributed population.

n =

The way the sample size is expressed in a research article or poster. Represents the number of participants in the study.

Qualitative research designs

Data consist of words in the form of interviews, diaries, journals, or newspapers

Citation

Information in a publication or poster that attributes specific information to its author/s

Single-subject research designs

Each participant serves as its own control and results are analyzed individually, not as a group.

Plagiarism

Expressing or using the writing of someone else as your own, whether intentional or not

Self-plagiarism

When a researcher presents his/her own work as new scholarship when it was previously published

Mode

Most frequently occurring score in a distribution of scores

Heterogeneous

Diverse in character or content

Research or treatment fidelity

Data that demonstrate the research protocol or treatment was administered correctly and consistently

Stastical significance

Probability that differences in simple data are true and not a fluke

Null hypothesis

Prediction that there will be no difference between control and treatment groups

Parametric statistics

A branch of statistics that assumes the sample data come from a normally distributed population

Disseminate

To share information (esp. research results) widely and using a variety of venues

Participants

Individuals who serve as the test subjects in a research study

Concomitant

Naturally accompanying or associated with; occurs with (but not because of)

Treatment integrity

Means the independent variable was handled the way it was supposed to be and was consistent

Internal validity

The ability of a research design to minimize bias and accurately answer research questions

Compelling

Describes evidence from well- controlled research designs that may show statistical significance and large effect sizes

Population

Overall group that is supposed to be represented by participants in the study

Blinding

In experimental research, prevents participants and researchers from knowing who is in the control vs. treatment groups

Phase shift

Clear difference in data points showing results plotted on a scatter plot in single-subject research

Trend

General direction of data points in a scatter plot, suggesting effect of treatment

Equivocal

Describes evidence from a weak, uncontrolled research study, published expert opinion, and/or small or missing effect size in a study

Trajectory

A path, progression, or line of development; e.g., upward, indicating improvement

Stable baseline

A minimum of $5$ data points with very little variability used to show no change in performance in single- subject research

Longitudinal

Data are gathered for the same participants repeatedly over a period of time in years or decades

Suggestive

Describes outcome of a research design that may have some bias and/or moderate effect size

Control group

Group that does not receive the treatment or undergo something represented by the independent variable in experimental research

Results section

Reports outcomes of a study in a research article or presentation

Methods section

Describes participants, procedures, analysis, in a research article pr presentation

Discussion section

Summarizes or explains how to interpret results of a study in a research article or presentation

Median

Point in a distribution of results at which $50\%$ of cases fall above and $50\%$ fall below

Meta-analysis

Type of review study in which investigators use quantitative procedures to statistically combine the results of multiple studies

Scoping review

Type of review study in which all the evidence is included and described, regardless of quality or type of research design,

Systematic review

Type of filtered evidence that searches for all research on a topic, has inclusion criteria, appraises the studies included for quality, and answers a clinical question

PICO

Framework used in evidence synthesis that stands for patient, intervention, comparison, outcome