In this sampling method, every kth element is chosen after a random start.
Systematic sampling
This term refers to the degree of agreement or consistency between or among raters or observers.
Inter-rater reliability (or Inter-observer reliability)
This research approach involves analyzing data that was collected by someone else originally for a different purpose.
Secondary analysis
A descriptive statistic that portrays how far away from the mean individual scores on average are located.
Standard deviation
This qualitative technique involves writing down thoughts, code meanings, theoretical ideas, preliminary conclusions, and other useful thoughts for analysis.
Memoing
An unbiased, precise, scientific procedure for selecting research respondents.
Random Sampling
This is a type of composite measure composed of several items that have a logical or empirical structure among them.
Scales
Instead of focusing on results, this type of evaluation checks how well a program is being run or carried out.
Process evaluation
The effect size when the proportion of unsuccessful outcomes in one group is divided by the risk of unsuccessful outcomes in another group.
Risk ratio
The science of symbols and meanings, commonly associated with content analysis and based on language, that examines the agreements we have about the meanings associated with particular signs.
Semiotics
The design in which participants are randomly assigned to treatment or control conditions to establish causal interference in program evaluation.
Experimental design
The degree to which a measure relates to other variables as expected within a theoretical framework.
Construct validity
The difference between the true population parameter and the estimated population parameter.
Sampling error
This value represents the likelihood that results can be attributed to chance.
p-value
A statistical significance test used when both the independent and dependent variables are nominal level.
Chi-square test
The tendency to respond in a manner viewed favorably by others.
Social desirability bias
When the information we collect consistently reflects a false picture of the concept we seek to measure, because of either the way we collect the data or the dynamics of those who are providing the data.
Systematic error
This term refers to underlying meanings, requiring researcher judgment.
Latent content
Presenting data in the form of summary averages or measures such as mode, mean, and median.
Central tendency
A theory beginning with observation rather than hypotheses and seeking to discover patterns to develop theories,
Grounded theory
This type of experimental design lacks random assignment but still includes an intervention and a comparison group.
Quasi-experimental design
A variable other than the independent variable that may be responsible for the changes in the dependent variable.
Extraneous variable
In content analysis, this term refers to the observable and measurable elements of a communication, like words or colors.
Manifest content
An effect size statistic that divides the difference between the experimental group mean and the control group mean by the pooled standard deviation of the two groups.
Cohen’s d
The distribution of values around some central value, such as an average.
Dispersion