Glossary: Research

Probability

The chance that a phenomenon has a of occurring randomly. As a statistical measure, it shown as p (the "p" factor).

Qualitative research

A systematic approach to creating knowledge about how people interpret their surroundings, construct meaning, and interpret the meanings they construct. Qualitative research relies upon subtle and complex techniques of observation, recording data, and writing to develop an interpretive framework for analyzing and explaining why people do what they do and think what they think. Case study, observation, and ethnography are considered forms of qualitative research. Results are not usually considered generalizable, but are often transferable.

Quantitative research

Numerical data used to draw general conclusions across groups of people as a way of explaining particular behaviors or phenomena. It makes use of statistical, mathematical, and numerical analysis of empirical data collected using instruments such as questionnaires or through analyzing and manipulating pre-existing statistical data using computational techniques.

Quasi-experiment

A research design that resembles an experimental design but lacks one or more key elements of true experimentation, such as random assignment of participants to treatment conditions. Incorporates interpretation and transferability in order to compensate for lack of control of variables.

Questionnaire

Structured groups of questions used to gather information, attitudes, or opinions. Questionnaires can be either quantitative, including forced-choice questions, or qualitative, including open-ended questions.

Quixotic Reliability

Refers to the situation where a single manner of observation consistently, yet erroneously, yields the same result.

Randomization/ Random Sampling

The process of randomly assigning participants or units to different experimental conditions or treatment groups. The primary purpose of randomization is to ensure that each participant is allocated randomly to experimental and control groups.

Range

The difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution. Range= Highest score- Lowest score

Reliability

The extent to which a measure, method or instrument yields the same result on repeated trials. Reliability is a prerequisite for validity. If a data collection approach is unreliable, then it cannot produce trustworthy results.

Representative Sample

A sample in which the participants closely match the characteristics of the population, and thus, all segments of the population are represented in the sample. A representative sample allows results to be generalized from the sample to the population.

Response Rate

In survey research, the percentage of questionnaires completed and returned out of total sent out.

Rhetorical Inquiry

Seeks to understand how language, symbols, and persuasion are used to shape meaning, influence attitudes, and construct social realities.The process entails identifying a motivational concern, posing questions, engaging in a heuristic search, creating a new theory or hypotheses, and justifying the theory.

Rigor

Degree to which research methods are scrupulously and meticulously carried out in order to recognize important influences occurring in a experiment.

Sample

A percentage of a total population researched in a study. Researchers often try to select a “sample population” that is believed to be representative of the behaviors or other qualities (race, ethnicity, gender) of people for whom results will be generalized.

Sampling Error

The degree to which the results from the sample deviate from those that would be obtained from the entire population, because of random error in the selection of respondent and the corresponding reduction in reliability.