Practical Research 2: Quantitative Research Methodology

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering key quantitative research concepts including research designs, sampling procedures, instrument construction, reliability testing, and validity types.

Research Design

The logical and coherent overall strategy that the researcher uses to integrate all components of the research study (Barrot, 2017).

Non-Experimental Research Design

A quantitative design where there is a predictor variable of a group of subjects that cannot be manipulated by the experimenter (Kowalczyk, 2015).

Experimental Research Design

A research design guided by one or several hypotheses—statements to be proven or disapproved through experimental procedures.

Survey Research

A non-experimental design using interviews, questionnaires, and sampling polls to review behavior and present findings accurately, usually expressed in percentage.

Correlational Research

A non-experimental design that tests relationships between two variables, determines the effect of one on the other, and predicts the magnitude of the association.

Descriptive Research

A study of prevailing conditions, oftentimes referred to as a survey or a normative approach.

Comparative Research

A non-experimental design that examines patterns of similarities and differences across a limited or moderate number of cases.

Ex-Post-Facto Research

A study used to measure pre-existing effects where the researcher has no control over the variables.

Quasi-Experimental Research

An experimental study that involves selecting groups upon which a variable is tested without any random pre-selection process because the groups are already established.

True Experimental Research

The most accurate type of experimental research that establishes cause-and-effect relationships using control and experimental groups, researcher-manipulated variables, and random assignment.

Population

The totality of all the objects, elements, persons, and characteristics under consideration in a research study.

Target Population

The actual population of the topic of interest, such as all Senior High School students enrolled in the ABM strand in the Division of Bataan.

Accessible Population

The portion of the target population to which the researcher has reasonable access.

Sample

The specific group selected to collect data from, whose size is representative of and always less than the total population.

Sampling

The systematic process or method of selecting the group or respondents to answer the research questions.

Sampling Frame

The list of members of the target population from where the researcher selects the sample (Paris, 2013).

Probability Sampling

Unbiased sampling that requires a list of target respondents and gives every listed member in the sampling frame an equal chance of selection.

Non-Probability Sampling

Sampling that disregards random selection and chooses subjects based on availability, study purpose, or researcher discretion (Edmond, 2013).

Simple Probability Sampling

A sampling technique using a pure chance selection process, such as the fishbowl technique, roulette wheel, or table of random numbers.

Systematic Probability Sampling

A sampling method using a calculated sampling interval as a quasi-random selection technique.

Stratified Probability Sampling

A probability sampling technique used for group-by-group analysis that divides the population into strata or groups before selecting samples.

Cluster Probability Sampling

An economical sampling technique that retains characteristics of probability sampling by creating multiple homogenous clusters of people from the chosen population.

Quota Sampling

A non-probability sampling technique used when the characteristics of the target population are known, typically when time and budget are limited.

Voluntary Sampling

A sampling technique with no formal selection process where subjects volunteer themselves to be part of the sample.

Purposive or Judgmental Sampling

A non-probability sampling method where the researcher intentionally chooses individuals who are sure to correspond to the study's specific objectives.

Availability Sampling

Also known as convenience sampling, a technique that automatically includes individuals who show willingness and availability to participate.

Snowball Sampling

A non-probability sampling technique for unspecified groups where initial participants refer additional participants to complete the required sample size.

Questionnaire

A research instrument posing a set of pre-determined questions, typically consisting of general instructions, respondent profile, and body items.

Interview

A research instrument wherein the researcher verbally asks questions to participants in a structured sequence (opening, open-ended, close-ended, and closing questions).

Reliability

The degree to which a research instrument is consistent in its measurements over repeated applications.

Validity

How well a research instrument measures what it is supposed or intended to measure.

Homogeneity (Internal Consistency)

An attribute of reliability measuring the extent to which all items on a scale measure one single construct.

Split-Half Reliability

A test of internal consistency where the results of an instrument are divided in half and correlations are calculated between both halves.

Kuder-Richardson Test

A reliability test for internal consistency that averages all possible split-half combinations for items with exactly two choices (dichotomous items).

Cronbach's $\alpha$

The most common test for internal consistency for items with more than two responses, yielding a score between $0$ and $1$ where $0.7$ or higher is acceptable.

Stability

An attribute of reliability representing the consistency of results obtained using an instrument with repeated testing.

Test-Retest Reliability

A measure of stability assessed by administering the same instrument to the same participants more than once under similar circumstances.

Parallel-Form Reliability

Also known as alternate-form reliability, a measure of stability where a different form of the original instrument with reworded items is administered.

Equivalence

An attribute of reliability measuring consistency among responses of multiple users of an instrument or among alternate forms.

Inter-Rater Reliability

A test of equivalence that qualitatively determines the level of agreement between two or more observers or judges.

Content Validity

The extent to which a research instrument accurately measures all aspects of a study.

Construct Validity

The extent to which a research instrument accurately measures what it intends to measure.

Criterion Validity

The extent to which a research instrument is related to other instruments that measure the same variables.

Face Validity

The extent to which a research instrument appears to be valid and measure what it is supposed to measure.

Adopting an Instrument

Using a pre-existing research instrument developed and validated by another researcher with very little modification.

Adapting an Instrument

Modifying a pre-existing instrument by keeping its general format while adding, removing, or changing item content to suit a new study.