A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
(Work in Progress)
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Action research
"Investigation designed to facilitate change in real settings" (Mason & Bramble, 1989, p.427).
Applied research
"Investigations that search for solutions to practical problems" (Mason & Bramble, 1989, p.427).
Between-subjects design
"A different group of subjects is tested in each experimental condition" (Marken, 1981, p.110).
Case Study
"A case study is an idiographic examination of a single individual, group, or society" (Babbie, 1998, p.305).
Causal relationship
"A relationship where variation in one variable causes variation in another." (retrieved August 20, 2000, http://trochim.human.cornell.edu/tutorial/colosi/lcolosi4.htm).
Coding
"Is the transformation or reduction of raw data into a set of standard categories for statistical analysis. It is frequently used in scoring responses to open-ended interview questions and in content analysis of mass media" (Sommer & Sommer, 1997, p.359).
Correlation
Correlation is a measure of the degree of relationship or association between two variables. A value close to +1 indicates a strong positive correlation, a value close to -1 indicates a strong negative correlation, while a value close to 0 indicates a weak or no correlation.
Empirical Testing
Empirical testing relies upon experiment and observation in searching for knowledge.
External validity
"Generalizability of research findings" (Sommer & Sommer, 1997, p.361)
Grounded Theory
"Grounded theory refers to the attempt to derive theories from an analysis of the patterns, themes, and common categories discovered among observational data" (Babbie, 1998, p.305).
Informed consent
Informed consent is informing the participants of the potential risks that may be involved and having them voluntarily agreeing to participate. Sometimes a signed document is used for this purpose.
Internal validity
" Degree to which a procedure measures what it is supposed to measure" (Sommer & Sommer, 1997, p.362)
Observational Statement
"A statement whose truth or falseness can be established only by empirical means" (Leavitt, 1991, p.23).
Participant Observation
"Participant observation is a form of field research in which the researcher participates as an actor in the events under study" (Babbie, 1998, p.305).
"The observer joins in the activities of the individual or group being observed" (Leavitt, 1991, p.151).
Probes
"Probes are primarily questions that interviewers interpose to get a respondent to clarify a point, to explain further what she meant, to continue talking, or to shift the topic" (Zeisel, 1984, p.140).
Theory
"A statement or set of statements that integrate and summarize, in as general a way as possible, what is already known and can be used to predict what the researcher may expect to observe in the future." Grosof & Sardy, 1985, p.13).
"A theory is a set of assumptions or guesses about why a particular relationship exists. It is tested by seeing if other relationships implied by the theory also exist." (Marken, 1981, p.7).
Units of Analysis
Units of analysis are the people or things the characteristics of which the researcher focuses upon in the effort to achieve the research objective.
Unobtrusive Observation
"Subjects are unaware that they are being observed" (Leavitt, 1991, p.151).
Within-subjects design
"The same group of subjects is tested in each experimental condition" (Marken, 1981, p.110).
Copyright © 2000 by Hisham S. Gabr. All rights reserved.
This page last revised 09/05/03