Research Methods Terms For Final Exam

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Coding

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process of organizing data, specifying designations and symbols as appropriate; usually the process results in data reduction

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primary source

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an original or first-hand account of an event or experience

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secondary source

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an account that is at least one step removed from an event or experience

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grounded theory

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theory based on a study of the data rather than on some prior set of axioms and theorems

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participant-observer

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the role assumed by the researcher in ethnographic research such that the researcher becomes a participant in the situation being observed

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Foreshadowed problems (in ethnographic research)

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specific research problems, possibly stated in question form, that provide a focus for the research

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Triangulation (in ethnographic research)

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qualitative cross-validation of data using multiple data sources or multiple data-collection procedures

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delphi method

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a method for systematic solicitation and collection of judgments on a topic through sequential questionnaires interspersed with summarized information and feedback

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Stratified random sampling

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a sampling procedure in which the population is divided into two or more subpopulations, called strata, and elements for the sample are then randomly selected from the strata

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Sampling fraction (aka sampling ratio)

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the ratio of sample size to population size; often deisginated n/N - for a simple random sample, the sampling fraction equals the probability of any member of the population being selected for the sample

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Proportional allocation (in stratified random sampling)

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selecting the sample in a manner such that the sample size is divided among the strata proportional to population sizes of the strata

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cluster sampling

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the selection of groups of elements, called clusters, rather than single elements; all elements of a cluster are included in the sample, and the clusters are selected randomly from the larger population of clusters

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systematic sampling

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a selection procedure in which all sample elements are determined by the selection of the first element, because each element on a selection list is separated from the first element by a multiple of the selection interval

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Periodicity (in systematic sampling)

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a periodic characteristic that follows the listing of the elements and the selection interval so that a bias is introduced into the sample - (example: list of people are ordered & the order is something you are interested in - mortgage example)

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Meta analysis

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a statistical procedure used to summarize the results across numerous, independently conducted research studies

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External criticism

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(in historical research) evaluates the validity of the document – that is, where, when, and by whom it was produced

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internal criticism

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(in historical research) evaluates (and establishes) the meaning, accuracy, and trustworthiness of the content of the document

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organization

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defined groups of people who interact in regular and structured ways; there is collective social action based on rules and relations that have been developed by consensus

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privileged observer

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observer that assumes a role that makes him or her a participant from a culture other than the one of primary interest (makes field notes to record observations); happens when the observer could not fit in a role in the culture they are interested in - (example: an older individual with a PhD would not fit the role of a freshman student and instead takes on the teacher role)

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latent variable

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a variable that is present (or potentially present) but not visible - (example: In a study of school achievement, a latent variable might be parental attitude toward academics)

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equal allocation

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selecting the sample in a manner such that equal numbers are selected from the strata; the sampling fraction will vary among strata unless there are equal population sizes - make sure that each strata has enough data to get a proper estimate of the sd. (Native American example) - relates to width of confidence interval - we want equal confidence of accuracy

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effect size

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ES= X bar t minus X bar c divided by S sub c or S sub p; a measure of the magnitude of a treatment effect; independent of sample size; used in meta-analysis; (sizes - .2=small, .5=medium, .8=large); here's another definition too: a standard score (z-score) of the mean of one group referenced in the distribution of another group, often a control group; expressed in standard deviation units

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NVIVO

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a software program used in qualitative research; organizes data, enabling analyses; an upgrade of NUD*IST 4 that is also available from Scolari; features expanded abilities to view relations between documents, a function to explore models, advanced search tools, and the ability to manage multisite and multistage projects

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vote counting (box-score)

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models causal reasoning - create a box of a large number of studies showing whether the results were significantly positive or not

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inverse chi square

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combining p-values on a set of studies

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lie die

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A six-sided die is sent out with a survey, and the survey-taker is given a specific number (like 4) to lie on. The survey-taker rolls the die before answering the question. If the die comes up with a number other than 4, the person tells the truth. If a 4 comes up, then the person lies. It creates a situation in which the survey-taker lies 1/6 of the time. This gives reasonable doubt and is used when sensitive data and information is being collected.