Research Methods
What is quantitative research?
A deductive, top-down approach using numerical data to test hypotheses.
What is systematic observation?
Structured observation using a consistent method, often a coding system.
What is survey research?
A method that asks people about their behaviors, attitudes, beliefs, or characteristics.
What is social desirability bias?
Giving answers that seem socially acceptable instead of fully honest answers.
What is a population?
The entire group a researcher wants to study.
What is qualitative research?
An inductive, bottom-up approach that develops themes and conclusions from observations.
What is naturalistic observation?
Observing behavior in natural settings and recording descriptions.
What is a double-barreled question?
A question that asks about two things at once.
What is a response set?
A tendency to answer survey questions in a consistent pattern or from a particular perspective.
What is a sample?
The subset of the population that participates in a study.
What is a case study?
An in-depth study of one person, group, event, or case.
What is reactivity?
When people change their behavior because they know they are being observed.
What is a loaded question?
A question worded to push respondents toward a particular answer.
What is nonresponse bias?
Bias when people who do not respond differ systematically from those who do.
What is simple random sampling?
A probability method in which each population member has an equal chance of selection.
What is archival research?
Research using previously collected records or data.
What is reliability in observation?
The consistency of observations or measurements.
What is yea-saying?
A tendency to agree with statements regardless of their content.
What is a sampling-frame problem?
The list used to select participants does not adequately represent the target population.
Name three probability sampling techniques and define them.
Simple random sampling, stratified random sampling, and cluster sampling.
What is the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning?
Deductive reasoning tests theory-based predictions; inductive reasoning develops general conclusions from observations.
Name three methodological issues in behavioral observation.
Reliability, reactivity, and equipment.
Name three ways to improve survey question quality.
Use simple wording, avoid bias or ambiguity, and provide appropriate response options.
What is the difference between cross-sectional and longitudinal research?
Cross-sectional research collects data at one time; longitudinal research collects data across multiple time points.
What is the difference between random sampling and random assignment?
Sampling selects people from a population; assignment allocates participants to experimental conditions