RESEARCH

DATA ANALYSIS - The process by which data are organized to better understood patterns of behavior within the target population. Data analysis is an umbrella term that refers to many particular forms of analysis such as content analysis, path analysis, regression analysis, etc.

HYPOTHESIS - A statement that predicts the relationship between the independent (casual) and dependent (outcome) variables.

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH - A field of social research that is carried out in a naturalistic settings and generates data largely through observations and interviews. Compared to quantitative research, which is principally concerned with making inferences from randomly selected samples to a larger population, qualitative research is primarily focused on describing small samples in non-statistical ways.

QUESTIONNAIRE - A survey document with questions that are used to gather from individuals to be used in research.

RESPONDENT - The person who responds to a survey questionnaire and provides information for analysis.

RESEARCH QUESTIONNAIRE - A clear statement in the form of questions of the specific issue that a researcher wishes to answer using data from one or more sources.

SAMPLE - A group that is selected from a larger group (the population). By studying the sample, the researcher tries to draw valid conclusions about the population.

SAMPLE SIZE - The number of subjects in a study. Larger samples are preferable to smaller samples, all else being equal.

THESIS STATEMENT - After a brief introduction of your topic, you state your point of view on the topic directly and often in one sentence.