Vocabulary+for+Research+Methods+EDU+582

=**This document contains the vocabulary definitions for the course EDU 582 Research Methods **=



=**This is a 47 vocabulary item list for Research Methods EDU 582** =



This is a link to the EDU 582 vocabulary definitions in my blog.[|Carlos' Blog]

=** This are the definitions for Research Methods EDU 582. **=

whom they want to observe and how and when they want to obserse. || It's a prediction of the outcome of the study. The prediction can be based upon an educated guess or formal theory. || experimental study, a group of students is given hands-on manipulatives and another group is given math testbooks. Then, researchers compare their scores and see which group has the greatest math achievement. || research || Researchers observe and describe current conditions. Then, they look at the past in order to identify possible causes of the condition. || in order to trace developmental trends. || quantitative variables. || At the end, did it work? || In qualitative research, it creates theory. Researchers try to develop theory that explains the events they have observed. || sample || It's one in which every member of a population is given an equal chance of being included in the sample. || percentages A, B, C, D. Sample must represent the same proportion of characteristics as the population. || information. || validity || To determine content validity, researchers make judgments of the appropriateness of the contents. || reliability || In the case of experimental researcher, two or more observers unobtrusively measure at the same time. || test || It's a test designed to facilitate a comparison of indidual's performance with that of a norm group. (NRTs) || referenced tests || They are tests designed to measure to which extent individual examinnees have met performance standards. (CRTs) || Statistics || It summarizes data, so they can be easily comprehended. || distribution || They descriptive statistics. They describe how many students earned each score. || statistics || They help researchers make generalizations of the characteristics of the population based on data obtained by studying samples. || significance || It's a statistical difference of .05 or less. || test || It's an index that distills data into something more manageable. || coefficient, r || It's used when researchers want to know the relationship between two quantitative sets of scores. || positive relatioship || When comparing two variables, if it is high in one, it is high in the other. || negative relationship || When comparing two variables, if it is high in one, it is low in the other. || Multiple sources of data, and multiple methods of collecting data. || deviation || It's how far the scores are from the mean. || definitons || Patten, M. L., Understanding research methods an overview of the essentials, sixth edition (2007) Glendale, CA: Pyrczack Publishing. ||
 * 1. Empirical research || It's research done through observation. Researchers plan why they want to do the observations,
 * 2. Data || It's imformation gathered through the course of program. Data has no meaning until we analyze it. ||
 * 3. Research hypothesis || It's a statement indicating what results are expected.
 * 4. Experimental research || In experimental research, treatments are given fot the research purpose. For example, in a math
 * 5. Experimental group || It receives intervention. ||
 * 6. Control group || It does not receive the intervention. ||
 * 7.Causal-comparative
 * 8.Longitudinal research || In longitudinal research, researchers repeatedly measure traits of the participants over a period of time
 * 9.Correlational research || In correlational research, researchers are interested in the degree of relationship among two or more
 * 10.Variable || It's a trait or characteristic with two or more categories. ||
 * 11. Independent variable || The independent variable is the stimulus or input, which causes changes in the dependent variable. Predictor. ||
 * 12. Dependent variable || The dependent variable is the response or output. Critirion = Standard ||
 * 13. Operational definition || Redefining a variable in terms of physical steps is called operationalizing the variable. ||
 * 14. Formative evaluation || It's collecting the information through the course of the program. ||
 * 15. Summative evaluation || It's when evaluators collect information about the participants' attainment of the ultimate goal at the end of the programs.
 * 16. Grounded theory || In quantitative research, it tends to explain existing theory.
 * 17. Phenomenological || Examining perceptions is known as a phenomenological approach to acquire knowledge. ||
 * 18. Simple random
 * 19. Sample error || Failure to identify all members of a population is a major source of bias sampling. Bias sampling causes error. ||
 * 20. Sample of convenience || When researchers take samples that are conveniently available to them. For example, a class they teach. ||
 * 21. Stratified sampling || Population with important characteristics relevant to the study. e.g., high school grade level, proficiency level,
 * 22. Purposive sampling || When researchers use this method, they purposively select individuals they believe wil be good sources of
 * 23. Instrument || It's any type of measurement device such as test, questionnaire, schedule interview, or personality scale. ||
 * 24. Instrumentation || It's the term used as a heading in the section of the report where the measurement devices used in the research are described. ||
 * 25. Focus groups || It's used by qualitative researchers. It consists of six or twelve participants. They gather together to discuss a topic. They are led by a facilitator. The facilitator describes the topic to be discussed and tries to create a nonthreatening environment. ||
 * 26. Validity || The extend that a measurement device measures what is designed to measure and how accurately it does, so. ||
 * 27. Content
 * 28. Predictive validity || It's predicting the success of the job. ||
 * 29. Reliability || A test is said to be reliable if it yields consistent results. ||
 * 30. Inter-observer
 * 31. Norn-referenced
 * 32. Criterion-
 * 33. Descriptive
 * 34.Frequency
 * 35.Inferential
 * 36. Statistical
 * 37. Nominal level || It's naming. ||
 * 38. Ordinal level || It's ordering ||
 * 39. Interval level || They are equal distances among the scores they yield. The interval scale does not have an absolute zero. ||
 * 40. Ratio scale || The ratio scale has an equal interval with an absolute zero. ||
 * 41. Chi-square(X²)
 * 42. Cenral tendency || It's the middle of the Bell shaped curve. ||
 * 43.Variability || It refers to the amount by which participants vary or differ from each other. ||
 * 44. Correlation
 * 45. Direct or
 * 46. Indirect or
 * 47. Data triangulation || We cannot rely on one source of information such as survey, focus groups or pair discussion.
 * 48. Standard
 * Source for