Research Methods Quiz & Flashcards

Experimental research aims to manipulate independent variables to observe their effect on dependent variables.

Quantitative research emphasizes numerical data and statistical analysis, unlike qualitative research which focuses on descriptive data.

A confounding variable skews results by influencing both the independent and dependent variables, complicating causal interpretations.

A case study focuses on an in-depth analysis of a single subject or small group, providing detailed insights.

Random sampling ensures every member of a population has an equal chance of being selected, promoting representativeness.

Surveys with closed questions gather quantitative data, while qualitative methods focus on open-ended responses.

The IRB reviews research proposals to ensure ethical standards are upheld, protecting participants' rights.

A cross-sectional study examines different subjects at a single point in time, providing a snapshot of the situation.

Descriptive research aims to systematically describe a phenomenon without manipulating any variables.

Informed consent requires researchers to fully inform participants about the study, allowing them to make educated decisions.

Longitudinal studies often face high dropout rates, which can affect the reliability of the results over time.

Meta-analysis combines results from multiple studies to identify overall trends or effects, providing a broader perspective.

A pilot study assesses the feasibility and design of a larger study before full implementation.

Reliability refers to the consistency of a measure across different instances or conditions.

The placebo effect occurs when participants experience changes due to their expectations rather than the actual treatment.

Qualitative research allows for in-depth understanding of experiences and meanings, providing rich contextual data.

The dependent variable is the outcome that is measured in response to the manipulation of the independent variable.

In qualitative research, the researcher engages deeply with participants to gather rich, contextual information.

Internal validity measures how accurately a study determines cause-and-effect relationships between variables.

A hypothesis is an educated guess that predicts the relationship between two or more variables, guiding research.

Qualitative coding categorizes and labels qualitative data to identify themes and patterns for analysis.

Sampling bias occurs when certain members of a population are systematically excluded, leading to unrepresentative results.

Statistical significance assesses whether research results are likely due to chance or reflect a true effect in the population.

Longitudinal studies track the same subjects over time, while cross-sectional studies analyze different subjects at one point in time.

External validity measures the extent to which research findings can be generalized to other settings, populations, or times.

Correlational research focuses on identifying relationships between variables without manipulating them.

Operationalizing a variable involves defining it in measurable terms to facilitate effective data collection.

A common misconception is that qualitative research relies solely on numerical data, while it actually focuses on descriptive, non-numerical data.

Researcher bias occurs when a researcher's expectations or preferences influence the outcomes of the study.

Surveys can lead to biased responses if participants misinterpret questions or provide socially desirable answers.

Focus groups are used to gather qualitative insights through discussions among participants guided by a facilitator.

A literature review summarizes existing research to identify gaps and provide context for new studies.

Validity refers to the accuracy of a measure in capturing what it intends to measure, while reliability refers to the consistency of the measure.

Qualitative data is subjective and descriptive, focusing on qualities and characteristics rather than numerical values.

Manipulative experimental designs aim to determine cause-and-effect relationships by changing one variable and observing the effects.

Attrition refers to the loss of participants from a study over time, which can impact the reliability of results.

Qualitative research typically gathers data through interviews, observations, and open-ended questions to explore deeper insights.

The primary strength of quantitative research is its ability to generalize results across larger populations due to its structured approach.