Experiments
In a true experiment, participants must be assigned to conditions using this method to reduce bias.
What is random assignment?
A survey question that provides preformatted response choices for the respondent to circle or check; also called a fixed-choice question
What is a closed-ended question?
A sampling method that relies on participants referring others, often used in studies of hidden populations.
What is a snowball sample? (also known as a network)
A method used in case reports that clarifies the context and makes it possible for the reader vicariously to experience it.
What is a thick description?
When someone only seeks out evidence that supports their existing beliefs, ignoring contradictory information.
What is confirmation bias?
A variable that is hypothesized to cause—or lead to—variation in the dependent variable
What is an independent variable?
A statistic that measures the reliability of items in an index or scale
What is cronbach's alpha?
A semi-structured interview differs from a structured interview because the interviewer can do what?
What is ask follow-up questions?
A case study that compares multiple similar cases to identify patterns.
What is a comparative case study?
A third variable that influences both the independent and dependent variable, making it appear as though they are related when they are not.
What is a spurious relationship?
A problem that occurs when participants drop out of a study at different rates across experimental conditions.
What is attrition (mortality)?
The process of administering the same survey at two points in time to assess reliability.
What is test-retest reliability?
A limitation of qualitative interviews when the researcher’s own biases shape the way questions are asked and interpreted.
What is interviewer bias?
The process where researchers reflect on their own role and how their experiences may have influenced the study.
What is reflexivity?
A problem with retrospective studies in criminology, where participants struggle to accurately recall past events.
What is memory distortion?
A research design in which neither the researcher nor the participants know who is receiving the treatment or placebo.
What is a double-blind procedure/control?
Research in which information is obtained through the responses that all available members of an entire population give to questions
What is a census?
The point at which subject selection is ended in intensive interviewing, when new interviews seem to yield little additional information
What is a saturation point?
A strategy used in case studies to increase validity by collecting data from multiple sources.
What is triangulation?
Whether a study done fifty years ago is still able to demonstrate the same findings and behavior today.
What is temporal validity?
The Hawthorne Effect describes how people change their behavior when they know they are being observed. This is an issue for which type of validity?
What is internal validity?
A situation where survey respondents lie or misrepresent themselves to appear more socially desirable.
What is social desirability bias?
The process of analyzing qualitative interviews by coding themes without predefined categories.
What is inductive coding?
The major concern with case studies that makes them difficult to generalize to larger populations.
What is lack of external validity?
The concern that laboratory-based research may lack real-world applicability because conditions are too artificial.
What is low ecological validity?