Practical Research 2 Term 1 Final Examination Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering key quantitative research designs, instruments, validity, reliability, sampling techniques, data analysis statistics, hypothesis testing rules, presentation methods, conclusions, recommendations, and APA citation guidelines.

Quantitative Research

A type of research that collects and analyzes numerical data to describe conditions, measure variables, determine relationships, compare groups, and examine the effects of interventions.

Descriptive Research Design

A research design that aims to describe the current condition, characteristics, behaviors, preferences, or practices of a population without manipulating variables or testing relationships.

Correlational Research Design

A research design that determines whether a relationship exists between two or more variables as they naturally occur, without manipulating the variables.

Experimental Research Design

A research design that determines the effect of one variable on another by manipulating an independent variable while controlling other factors as much as possible.

Independent Variable

The variable in an experimental research design that is manipulated or changed by the researcher.

Dependent Variable

The outcome or variable that is measured to determine whether it is affected by the independent variable.

Research Instrument

A tool used by the researcher to collect data from respondents or participants, such as questionnaires, observation checklists, or interview guides.

Questionnaire

A structured research instrument consisting of questions or statements answered by respondents to gather standardized numerical data efficiently from many individuals.

Validity

The extent to which a research instrument measures what it is intended to measure.

Content Validation

The process involving expert review to determine whether the contents of an instrument adequately represent the concepts, objectives, or areas that the researcher intends to measure.

Reliability

The consistency or stability of the results produced by a research instrument when used under similar conditions.

Pilot Test

A preliminary administration of a research instrument to a group similar to the intended respondents before actual data collection to identify potential problems.

Cronbach's Alpha

A statistical measure commonly used to examine the internal consistency or reliability of a multi-item research instrument.

Population

The entire group of individuals or elements that the researcher wants to study.

Sample

A subset or smaller group selected from the population to participate in a study.

Respondents

The individuals who provide information or answers for a research study.

Sampling

The process of selecting a sample from a larger population to make data collection practical when the population is large.

Simple Random Sampling

A sampling technique where every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected.

Purposive Sampling

A sampling technique that involves selecting respondents based on specific characteristics or criteria relevant to the research objectives.

Stratified Sampling

A sampling technique where the population is divided into groups or strata based on a characteristic, and participants are selected from each group.

Cluster Sampling

A sampling technique that involves dividing the population into naturally occurring groups or clusters and selecting whole groups or clusters for participation.

Convenience Sampling

A sampling technique where respondents are selected based on accessibility because they are readily available or easy for the researcher to reach.

Snowball Sampling

A sampling technique where existing participants help identify or recruit additional participants, useful when target population members are difficult to locate.

Data Collection

The systematic process of gathering information needed to answer research questions according to a planned procedure.

Informed Consent

A principle ensuring that participants are given sufficient information about the study's purpose and procedures and voluntarily agree to participate.

Data Analysis

The process of organizing, summarizing, examining, and interpreting collected data using appropriate statistical techniques.

Descriptive Statistics

Statistical techniques used to summarize and describe collected quantitative data, such as frequency, percentage, mean, median, mode, range, variance, and standard deviation.

Frequency

The number of times a particular value or category occurs in a data set.

Percentage

A value expressed as a part of $100$, calculated using the formula \text{Percentage} = (\text{Frequency} \bound \text{Total}) \times 100.

Mean

The arithmetic average of a set of values, calculated using the formula \text{Mean} = \text{Sum of all values} \bound \text{Number of values}.

Median

The middle value when data are arranged in numerical order.

Mode

The value that occurs most frequently in a data set.

Range

The difference between the highest and lowest values in a data set, calculated as $\text{Range} = \text{Highest Value} - \text{Lowest Value}$.

Weighted Mean

An average in which different values or categories have different weights, commonly used to summarize responses to Likert-scale items.

Correlation

A statistical technique used to determine the direction and strength of the relationship between two quantitative variables.

Correlation Coefficient

A statistical value ranging from $-1$ to $+1$ that indicates the strength and direction of the relationship between variables.

Positive Correlation

A relationship where as one variable increases, the other variable also tends to increase.

Negative Correlation

A relationship where as one variable increases, the other variable tends to decrease.

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)

A statistical technique used to compare the means of three or more groups.

Hypothesis

A testable statement or prediction about variables or relationships in a research study.

Null Hypothesis ($H_0$)

A hypothesis, represented by $H_0$, stating that there is no significant relationship, difference, or effect.

Alternative Hypothesis ($H_1$ / $H_a$)

A hypothesis, represented by $H_1$ or $H_a$, stating that there is a significant relationship, difference, or effect.

Level of Significance (\text{\alpha})

The criterion used to determine whether a statistical result is considered statistically significant, commonly set at \text{\alpha} = 0.05.

p-value

A calculated value used in hypothesis testing that is compared against the significance level \text{\alpha} to determine statistical significance.

Decision Rule (Hypothesis Testing)

The statistical rule stating if p < \text{\alpha}, reject $H_0$; if p > \text{\alpha}, fail to reject $H_0$.

Frequency Distribution Table

A tabular presentation showing categories or values together with their corresponding frequencies and percentages.

Bar Graph

A visual display useful for comparing frequencies or quantities across different categories.

Line Graph

A visual display useful for showing trends or patterns of change over time.

Pie Chart

A circular chart representing parts of a whole, useful for showing the proportion or percentage of respondents belonging to different categories.

Scatter Plot

A graph displaying paired numerical observations for two quantitative variables to examine their relationship or pattern.

Research Conclusion

The section of a research report that summarizes major findings and states what can reasonably be concluded based on analyzed data.

Research Recommendation

The section of a research report that suggests practical, evidence-based actions to be taken based on the findings and conclusions.

APA Style

A standard academic referencing and citation format, emphasized in its 7th edition for quantitative research.

Plagiarism

The act of using another person's ideas, information, words, or findings without appropriate acknowledgment and citation.

APA 7th Edition Book Reference Sequence

The standard sequence for referencing a book in APA 7th edition: Author \text{\rightarrow} Year \text{\rightarrow} Title \text{\rightarrow} Publisher.