Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a variable?
What is a variable?
A variable is a characteristic or attribute of an individual, group, educational system, or the environment that is of interest in a research study.
What are the key variables for the researcher who is interested in low levels of literacy?
What are the key variables for the researcher who is interested in low levels of literacy?
The key variables that define literacy include: reading fluency, reading comprehension, vocabulary, interest in reading, etc.
Which of the following reasons are important for identifying key variables?
Which of the following reasons are important for identifying key variables?
- The Instrument will measure the key variables. (correct)
- The key variables provide focus to the Methods section. (correct)
- The key variables are the terms to be operationally defined If an Operational Definition of Terms section is necessary. (correct)
- The key variables provide focus when writing the Introduction section. (correct)
- The key variables must be directly measured or manipulated for the research study to be valid. (correct)
- The key variables are the major terms to use when searching for research articles for the Literature Review. (correct)
What is research design?
What is research design?
Which type of research design examines teachers' knowledge of literacy development?
Which type of research design examines teachers' knowledge of literacy development?
Which type of research design examines the effect of one variable that cannot be manipulated on other variables?
Which type of research design examines the effect of one variable that cannot be manipulated on other variables?
Which type of research design examines the relationship between variables?
Which type of research design examines the relationship between variables?
Which type of research design examines the effect of a variable that the researcher manipulates on other variables?
Which type of research design examines the effect of a variable that the researcher manipulates on other variables?
What is a null hypothesis?
What is a null hypothesis?
What are the three basic formats for writing research hypotheses, and what do they depend on?
What are the three basic formats for writing research hypotheses, and what do they depend on?
What is the key identifying factor of a causal comparative study?
What is the key identifying factor of a causal comparative study?
What is the key identifying factor of experimental and quasi-experimental designs?
What is the key identifying factor of experimental and quasi-experimental designs?
What is the key identifying factor of correlational designs?
What is the key identifying factor of correlational designs?
Every purpose must have a matching research question or research hypothesis.
Every purpose must have a matching research question or research hypothesis.
What is the purpose of the research study about the effect of telling stories on nursery children's literacy skills?
What is the purpose of the research study about the effect of telling stories on nursery children's literacy skills?
What is the main research question for the purpose of examining the effect of telling stories on nursery children's literacy skills?
What is the main research question for the purpose of examining the effect of telling stories on nursery children's literacy skills?
What is the purpose of determining the frequency that university students engage in examination malpractice?
What is the purpose of determining the frequency that university students engage in examination malpractice?
What is the purpose of determining if there is a relationship between intrinsic motivation and social studies achievement test scores?
What is the purpose of determining if there is a relationship between intrinsic motivation and social studies achievement test scores?
What is the purpose of identifying differences between trained and untrained teachers in their dedication to teaching?
What is the purpose of identifying differences between trained and untrained teachers in their dedication to teaching?
What is the purpose of examining teachers' knowledge of classroom management strategies?
What is the purpose of examining teachers' knowledge of classroom management strategies?
What is the purpose of examining the effect of signing an academic honesty pledge on university students' cheating behaviors?
What is the purpose of examining the effect of signing an academic honesty pledge on university students' cheating behaviors?
What is the purpose of determining if there is a relationship between age and motivation to study?
What is the purpose of determining if there is a relationship between age and motivation to study?
What is the purpose of examining the effect of computerized instruction on students' math skills?
What is the purpose of examining the effect of computerized instruction on students' math skills?
Flashcards
Key Variables
Key Variables
Characteristics of individuals, groups, or environments that are the focus of research.
Variable
Variable
A characteristic or attribute that can vary and is of interest in a research study.
Research Design
Research Design
How the key variables will be studied in a research project.
Descriptive Research
Descriptive Research
Describes the current state of variables without trying to establish cause-and-effect.
Signup and view all the flashcards
Causal-Comparative Research
Causal-Comparative Research
Examines the effect of variables that cannot be manipulated.
Signup and view all the flashcards
Correlational Research
Correlational Research
Examines the relationship between two or more continuous variables in the same group.
Signup and view all the flashcards
Continuous Variable
Continuous Variable
A variable that can take on a wide range of values.
Signup and view all the flashcards
Operational Definition
Operational Definition
A clear, precise definition of a variable that specifies how it will be measured.
Signup and view all the flashcards
Introduction Section
Introduction Section
Part of the research paper that introduces the research topic and key variables.
Signup and view all the flashcards
Literature Review
Literature Review
Identifying and summarizing relevant research articles.
Signup and view all the flashcards
Method Section
Method Section
Details the procedures used in collecting and analyzing data
Signup and view all the flashcards
Instrument
Instrument
The tool used to measure variables.
Signup and view all the flashcards
Thesis Topic
Thesis Topic
The subject of a research project or thesis.
Signup and view all the flashcards
Independent Variable
Independent Variable
Variable that is manipulated or observed.
Signup and view all the flashcards
Dependent Variable
Dependent Variable
Variable that is measured to see the effect of the independent variable.
Signup and view all the flashcards
Literacy
Literacy
The ability to read and write and understand information.
Signup and view all the flashcards
Reading Fluency
Reading Fluency
The ability to read text accurately and with appropriate speed.
Signup and view all the flashcards
Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension
Understanding what you read.
Signup and view all the flashcards
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
Knowledge of words and their meanings.
Signup and view all the flashcards
Motivation
Motivation
Internal drive to accomplish tasks or achieve goals.
Signup and view all the flashcards
External Motivation
External Motivation
Motivation driven by factors outside of the individual.
Signup and view all the flashcards
Academic Achievement
Academic Achievement
Students' success in school.
Signup and view all the flashcards
Examination Malpractice
Examination Malpractice
Improper or dishonest actions taken during examinations
Signup and view all the flashcards
Teaching Method
Teaching Method
Specific strategies used by teachers to deliver instruction
Signup and view all the flashcards
Counseling Program
Counseling Program
organized set of activities designed to give support or guidance.
Signup and view all the flashcardsStudy Notes
Key Variables and Research Design
- Research projects center around variables, which are characteristics of individuals, groups, systems, or environments relevant to the study.
- Variables can be simple (e.g., gender, age) or complex (e.g., socioeconomic status, academic achievement).
- Variables may relate to educational systems (teaching methods, funding) or environments (computer availability).
- Identifying key variables is crucial for a focused study.
Importance of Identifying Key Variables
- Key variables focus the introduction section.
- They guide research article searches in literature reviews.
- They provide terms for operational definitions (if needed).
- They guide the methods section.
- Instruments must directly measure or manipulate key variables for valid research.
Research Design
- Research design determines how key variables are studied.
- Four primary types exist:
- Descriptive: Describes the current state of variables (e.g., teachers' literacy knowledge).
- Causal-Comparative (Ex Post Facto): Examines the effect of non-manipulable variables (e.g., gender) on other variables (e.g., examination malpractice).
- Correlational: Examines the relationship between continuous variables (e.g., academic achievement, motivation). Both variables must be measured in the same group.
- Experimental/Quasi-Experimental: Examines the effect of a manipulated variable on another (e.g., effect of story-telling on children's literacy); usually involves a treatment group and a control group.
Descriptive Studies
- Simplest design, and provide the least information.
- Best suited for diploma or first degree projects.
Purpose, Research Questions, and Hypotheses
- Purposes, research questions, and hypotheses are closely related.
- Research questions should focus on descriptive topics.
- Research hypotheses should address all comparisons.
- For example, comparing males and females on science scores uses a hypothesis, not a question.
- Statistical methods determine significance of differences to reject random chance as a cause.
Research Hypotheses
- Often stated as null hypotheses.
- Based on probability, account for chance events.
- Examples include:
- "There is no significant difference between males and females on interest in reading."
- "There is no significant effect of telling stories on children's reading comprehension."
Correlational Designs
- Examine relationships between two variables within the same group.
- Example hypothesis: "There is no significant relationship between children's reading fluency and interest in reading."
Practical Application
- Examples of research questions and hypotheses are presented for various topics.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
