AMDM Vocabulary Flashcards

Key Terms in Research Methodology

• Population: The complete set of individuals or instances we aim to study.
• Sample: A smaller, representative subset of the population selected for analysis.
• Census: A sample that encompasses the entire population, providing a comprehensive overview.
• Population Parameter: A quantifiable characteristic of a population model, often estimated from sample data (e.g., mean income).
• Statistic/Sample Statistic: Values derived from sampled data that estimate population parameters (e.g., mean income from a sample).

Types of Studies and Data Collection

• Observational Study: Research based on collected data without manipulating variables.
• Experiment: Research method where factors are manipulated to observe effects on subjects, typically involving random assignments.
• Experimental Units: Individuals on whom the experiment is conducted; referred to as subjects or participants when human.
• Treatment: The controlled condition applied to experimental units; can vary in levels or combination of factors.

Study Design Features

• Statistically Significant: An observed difference considered unlikely to have occurred by chance, warranting further examination.
• Control Group: Group receiving a baseline treatment to which outcomes are compared.
• Blind Study: Participants or evaluators unaware of treatment group assignments to reduce bias.
• Double Blind: Both participants and evaluators are unaware of group assignments, ensuring unbiased results.
• Placebo: An inactive treatment to prevent psychological influences on results, allowing true treatment effects to be measured.

Hypotheses and Data Analysis

• Alternative Hypothesis: Accepted if the null hypothesis is rejected, indicating a statistically significant effect.
• Null Hypothesis: Proposes no significant difference among experimental conditions.
• Data Collection: Essential process of gathering information to test hypotheses in a structured setting.

Research Considerations

• Fact/Opinion: Facts are verifiable; opinions are subjective and cannot be proven true or false.
• Participant: Involves the researcher actively engaging in the study context.
• Population Mean: True average of a complete population, symbolized by the Greek letter mu (μ).

Psychological and Ethical Implications

• Psychological Effect: Influences on mood or feeling that may affect study outcomes.
• Questionnaire/Survey: Tool for gathering information on attitudes and behaviors through structured questions.
• Research Question: Clearly defined inquiry guiding the experimental process.
• Sample Mean: The calculated average of a sample, denoted as x̄, used to estimate the population mean.

Research Limitations and Data Types

• Study Limitation: Factors that may detract from findings, such as sample size or demographic representation.
• Ethics: Framework governing research conduct and relationships.
• Informed Consent: Agreement from participants after being fully briefed on risks.
• Pilot Study: Preliminary research to assess feasibility before a larger study.
• Primary Data: Original data collected firsthand for a specific purpose.
• Secondary Data: Existing data originally collected for another purpose.

Statistical Concepts

• Average/Mean: Calculated by dividing the sum of values by the total number of values.
• Margin of Error: Indicates the expected range of outcomes for a population based on sample data.
• Cluster Sampling: Involves surveying distinct groups to represent the population, effective for efficiency but needs to ensure representation.
• Convenience Sampling: Involves using readily available data, potentially compromising reliability.
• Inference Population: The group to which findings from a sample survey are intended to generalize.
• Random Assignment: Technique ensuring participants are assigned to groups by chance to minimize bias.