Research Methods & Designs
A qualitative method where a small group discusses a topic guided by a moderator to explore attitudes, perceptions, and ideas.
Focus group
Include key questions but allow follow-up or variation based on participant responses.
Semi-Structured Interviews –
Allows for detailed, unrestricted responses.
Open-Ended Question
Group that does not receive the experimental treatment.
Control Group
the tools or instruments used to assess variables.
Measures
Non-numeric, exploratory research methods used to understand meaning, experience, or concepts (e.g., interviews, focus groups).
Qualitative Methods
Open, conversational format with few or no pre-set questions.
Unstructured Interviews
Provides limited answer options (e.g., yes/no, multiple choice).
Closed-Ended Question
Group that receives the variable being tested.
Treatment Group
The person who leads and facilitates discussion in a focus group.
Focus Group Moderator
A method for analyzing text, media, or communication content by categorizing patterns.
Content Analysis
Data is collected at one point in time.
Cross-Sectional
Randomly placing participants into groups to ensure equal chance and reduce bias.
Random Assignment
One-on-one conversations designed to gather detailed insights.
Interviews
The obvious, surface-level meaning of content.
Manifest Content
Research design that manipulates variables to determine cause and effect.
Experiments
The individuals who take part in a study.
Participants
Use a fixed set of questions in the same order for every participant.
Structured Interviews
The underlying, hidden meaning or themes in content.
Latent Content
The deliberate change of a variable in an experiment.
Manipulation
The step-by-step process followed during a study.
Procedure