Research Foundations
This term refers to the systematic process used to collect and analyze information to increase our understanding of a topic.
What is research?
This element states what the study intends to accomplish, typically beginning with “The purpose of this study is…”
What is the purpose statement?
This variable is manipulated by the researcher to observe its effect on an outcome.
What is the independent variable?
This type of interviewing uses a set of predetermined questions.
What is a structured interview?
This sample type ensures every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected.
What is simple random sampling?
This type of reasoning moves from general principles to specific predictions.
What is deductive reasoning?
These guide the direction of an investigation and are often organized as qualitative, quantitative, or mixed.
What are research questions?
This variable represents the outcome of interest in a quantitative study.
What is the dependent variable?
In qualitative studies, this is the primary “instrument” of data collection.
What is the researcher (or the researcher as instrument)?
This refers to the specific group of individuals from whom data are actually collected.
What is the sample?
This part of a study describes why the topic matters and the gap in knowledge.
What is the problem statement?
This type of RQ focuses on describing the condition of a variable or population.
What are descriptive research questions?
This design involves random assignment to treatment and control groups.
What is a true experiment (or randomized experimental design)?
This qualitative design focuses on shared cultural patterns within a group.
What is ethnography?
This sampling technique recruits participants through referrals from other participants.
What is snowball sampling?
This is a figure or drawing that displays the research literature on a topic.
What is a literature map?
This type of RQ examines whether two or more variables are related.
What are correlational research questions?
This threat to internal validity occurs when participants drop out at different rates across groups.
What is attrition (mortality threat)?
This strategy involves verifying findings with participants to ensure accuracy of interpretations.
What is member checking?
These principles ensure participants are fully aware of what the study involves before agreeing to take part.
What is informed consent?
This term refers to the process of judging whether a study’s conclusions are trustworthy by examining the alignment between its research questions, design, methods, and interpretations.
What is evaluating the study’s validity (or methodological rigor)?
This hypothesis specifies the expected direction or nature of an effect, while its counterpart states that any observed differences in the sample are due to chance alone.
What is the alternative hypothesis? and What is the null hypothesis.
This term describes the degree to which findings can be generalized to other populations.
What is external validity?
This interpretive lens acknowledges the researcher’s positionality and its influence on knowledge production.
What is reflexivity?
This ethical principle requires that participants not be harmed and that risks are minimized relative to benefits.
What is beneficence?