Research Methods

clear relationship of cause and effect

one value in a data set that is used to describe the center, or middle point, in the set. Measures of central tendency include mean, median, and mode.

method used by researchers to examine data that has already been gathered by someone else

method used to analyze the content of written and visual texts, such as books, film, magazines, television, and advertisements

relationship between variables

process used to reach a conclusion by starting with a general hypothesis and generating a specific idea or argument

variable affected or changed by the independent variable

approach to statistics that explains the data and summarizes the sample

an approach to research that begins with the collection of qualitative data (nonnumerical data). Researchers then look for patterns in the data and form an argument based on these patterns.

effect that occurs when research study participants’ awareness of being studied influences their behavior

predictive statement about the relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable

interview in which a researcher talks with an individual at length

concept or feature that causes change in another variable

process used to reach a conclusion by starting with specific observations and drawing general conclusions

approach to analyzing data that begins with a hypothesis and explores if data are consistent with this hypothesis

committee that reviews research proposals to determine if they adhere to ethical guidelines

measure of central tendency calculated by adding all values in a data set and dividing the sum by the total number of values

value in a data set where half the values fall below it and half are above it

most frequently occurring value in a data set

method in which the researcher becomes part of the group they are studying

likelihood that a specific behavior or event will occur

approach that uses nonnumerical data, such as analysis of interview responses or observed behavior, to study the social world

approach that uses numerical data, such as percentages and rates, to study the social world

likelihood that if a study is repeated the researcher will obtain consistent results

refers to the ways that a researcher's expectations, beliefs, and values can influence the outcome of a study

interview using questions with no variation

collecting data from subjects who answer questions about behaviors and opinions, often in the form of a questionnaire

interview using open-ended questions that allow for more fluid interactions between the researcher and the respondent

extent to which a study measures what it is intended to measure

concept or feature with multiple values