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Research Design and Methods

Case Study

Definition An in-depth study of a single case or a small group. Example A researcher wants to st...

Confounding Variable

Definition An outside influence that affects the dependent and independent variables, potentially...

Construct

Definition An abstract concept used in research (e.g., intelligence, stress). Example A research...

Correlation

Definition A statistical measure that describes the extent to which two variables are related. E...

Cross-Sectional Study

Definition A study that analyzes data from a population at a single point in time. Example A res...

Dependent Variable

Definition The variable that is measured in a study to see the effect of the independent variable...

Experiment

Definition A research method that involves manipulating one variable to determine its effect on a...

Hypothesis

Definition A testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables. Example A...

Hypothesis

Definition A testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables. Example A...

Independent Variable

Definition The variable that is manipulated to observe its effect on the dependent variable. Exa...

Informed Consent

Definition Ensuring participants are fully aware of the study and voluntarily agree to participat...

Institutional Review Board

Definition A committee that reviews research proposals to ensure ethical standards are met. Exam...

Literature Review

Definition A summary of existing research related to a specific topic. Example A researcher want...

Longitudinal Study

Definition Research that involves repeated observations of the same variables over time. Example...

Measurement

Definition The process of assigning numbers or labels to phenomena according to specific rules. ...

Null Hypothesis

Definition A statement that there is no effect or no relationship between variables. Example A r...

Observational Research

Definition Research in which the investigator observes and records behavior without manipulating ...

Observer Bias

Definition When the researcher's expectations influence the data. Example In a 1963 study conduc...

Operational Definition

Definition A precise explanation of how a concept will be measured in a study. Example A researc...

Population

Definition The entire group of individuals relevant to a particular research question. Example A...

Qualitative Research

Definition Research involving non-numerical data, often used to understand concepts or experience...

Quantitative Research

Definition Research involving numerical data and statistical analysis. Example A researcher want...

Reliability

Definition The consistency of a measure or test over time or across different observers. Example...

Replication

Definition Replication refers to the process of repeating an experiment or study under similar co...

Research Problem

Definition The issue or topic that a researcher seeks to address. Example A researcher is review...

Research Question

Defintion A question that guides the focus of a research study. Example A researcher has previou...

Sample

Definition A subset of a population selected for study. Example A researcher is interested in vo...

Sampling Bias

Definition When the sample is not representative of the population. Example A researcher wishes ...

Social Desirability Bias

Definition When participants give answers they think are socially acceptable. Example In a study...

Survey

Definition A method of data collection using questionnaires or interviews to gather information f...

Theory

Definition A theory in research is a systematically organized set of concepts, definitions, and p...

Validity

Definition The degree to which a test or study measures what it claims to measure. Example  A qu...