CRIM170 Research Methods Exam 2

An experimental design where neither the researchers nor the participants know who is in the control or experimental group.

The inability to generalize research findings to the larger population.

A threat to internal validity that occurs when the sample is not representative of the population. For example, if a researcher wants to study the effects of exercise on weight loss but only recruits people from a gym, the results may not be generalizable to the population as a whole.

A threat to internal validity that occurs when participants become aware of which group they are assigned to and change their behavior accordingly.

A threat to internal validity that is illustrated by a possible decrease in crime resulting from quarantine procedures related to the corona virus.

The consistency of research findings. It describes whether a technique yields the same result/finding each time it's administered.

The absence of spuriousness ensures that no rival or alternative factors are responsible for the observed relationship between two variables.

A statistical relationship between two variables.

A sampling method where participants suggest additional informants for the study, creating a chain reaction.

A type of sampling aiming for representativeness of the larger population. It involves dividing the population into groups and sampling proportionally from each group.

The process of selecting observations for a study. It involves choosing which individuals or units will be included in the research.

Sampling techniques that rely on random selection to ensure every individual in the population has an equal chance of being chosen.

A sampling method where the researcher relies on easily accessible participants. It often results in biased samples that are not representative.

A situation where two or more variables mutually influence each other, making it difficult to determine which is the cause and which is the effect.

The presence of a negative relationship indicates that as one variable increases, the other decreases, and vice versa.

A research approach that aims to test theoretical propositions by comparing empirical observations to theoretical predictions.

This refers to a set of categories that cover all possible options for a given variable, but where only one category can be true for any individual.

This refers to a set of categories that capture all possible options for a given variable, ensuring that all individuals fit into one of the categories.

A threat to internal validity that occurs when changes to the measurement instrument or data collection procedures introduce bias or inconsistencies in the data.

The process of systematically examining evidence from multiple sources and cases to gain a comprehensive understanding of a phenomenon.

The process of identifying general patterns and relationships by analyzing data from a large sample of cases.

A sampling technique where every nth element of the population is selected for the sample.

The process of defining how a concept will be measured in a research study.

The highest level of measurement, allowing for comparison, ranking, and meaningful differences.

A list of all members of the population from which a sample is drawn.

Internal validity refers to the extent to which a study can confidently establish a causal relationship between the independent and dependent variables. It ensures that observed changes in the dependent variable are indeed caused by the manipulation of the independent variable and not by other extraneous factors.

Threats to internal validity are factors that could potentially explain the observed relationship between variables other than the intended causal relationship.

A selection bias occurs when the groups being compared are not equivalent at the start of the study, potentially leading to differences in outcomes that are not due to the treatment.

History threat refers to the influence of external events on the study's outcome. These events can occur during the study period and affect both the treatment and control groups.

Maturation refers to naturally occurring changes within participants over time that can affect the study's outcome. These changes are independent of the treatment.

A measurement scale that allows for ranking, comparison, meaningful differences, and a true zero point. For example, measuring height in centimeters allows for comparison (A is taller than B), ranking (A is tallest), meaningful differences (A is 5cm taller than B), and a true zero (someone 0 cm tall doesn't exist).

A measurement scale that only classifies data into mutually exclusive categories. Each category does not have a numerical value and there is no inherent order. For example, classifying people into different gender categories (male, female, non-binary) or blood types (A, B, AB, O).

A measurement scale that allows for ranking data but not meaningful differences. It assigns categories to data based on their order or rank but the intervals between categories are not equal. For example, ranking students from best to worst in a class.

A measurement scale that allows for ranking and measuring the difference between data points, but does not have a true zero point. The intervals between data points are equal, but the zero point is arbitrary. For example, the Celsius temperature scale has equal intervals between 0 and 10 degrees and 10 and 20 degrees, but 0 degrees doesn't represent the absence of temperature.

Research that collects and analyzes data from the real world to test hypotheses and draw conclusions.

Data gathered through observations, experiments, or surveys to support or refute a hypothesis or theory.

The process of carefully observing and recording data from the real world to understand a phenomenon or test a hypothesis.

A research approach that uses empirical evidence to test and modify theories.

Methods for collecting data from the real world, such as experiments, surveys, and observations.

A research design that involves studying the same individuals or groups over a period of time, allowing researchers to observe changes or trends.

A sampling technique where participants are chosen randomly from the population, ensuring that every individual has an equal chance of being selected.

The extent to which research findings can be confidently generalized to the larger population from which the sample was drawn.

A type of research design that involves manipulating an independent variable to observe its effects on a dependent variable, while controlling other factors.