Research Methods in Science Lectures

A statement of the problem that the research aims to address. It includes the research question, the theoretical framework, and the objectives of the study.

A plan that outlines the methods and procedures used to conduct the research. It involves seven key components: research design, data collection, sampling, data analysis, reporting, purpose, and action goal.

The type of research design used to answer your research question. It can include descriptive, correlational, or experimental designs, among others.

The type of data to be collected based on the research question. This could include qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods.

The process of defining concepts and variables in a measurable way. It establishes clear operational definitions to ensure consistency and clarity in data collection and analysis.

The process of selecting a representative sample of individuals or entities for your study. It considers aspects like population, sampling methods, and sample size.

A simplified representation of reality that highlights key concepts and their relationships. It uses measurable variables from the research question and depicts relationships between these variables.

A testable prediction about the relationship between variables. They are closely tied to research questions and provide specific statements about expected outcomes.

A variable's level of measurement describes the relationship between its values and how it can be measured.

A nominal level of measurement categorizes data without any inherent order. Examples include birthplace, gender, or favorite color.

An ordinal level of measurement categorizes data with a clear order but without equal intervals between categories. Examples include educational attainment (high school, bachelor's, master's) or satisfaction ratings (very dissatisfied, dissatisfied, neutral, satisfied, very satisfied).

An interval level of measurement has a fixed distance between values, but no true zero point. Examples include temperature measured in Celsius or Fahrenheit.

A ratio level of measurement has both an equal distance between values and a true zero point. Examples include height, weight, age, or income.

A variable is any characteristic or factor that can change or vary in an experiment or study.

The practice of using data collected by someone else for your own research project.

Data that is specifically collected by the researcher for their own study.

Data gathered by organizations or institutions for administrative purposes, like birth records or tax filings.

Data collected and stored in archives, often by other researchers.

A study that aims to replicate the findings of a previous study, ensuring transparency and reliability.

The study of development over time, focusing on changes within a population.

A research design that uses the same sample repeatedly over time.

The loss of participants in a longitudinal panel study, which can bias results.

A study of a group of individuals who share a common characteristic, observed over time.

Changes in a cohort due to aging.

Changes in a cohort due to external events affecting everyone.

Changes in a cohort due to shared experiences unique to that group.

An in-depth study of a small number of cases in a natural setting.

A type of research design where the researcher manipulates an independent variable to observe its effect on a dependent variable.

A research design that examines relationships between variables at a specific point in time.

A research design that involves collecting data from the same individuals over a period of time.

The extent to which a research study measures what it intends to measure.

The degree to which a study can confidently establish a causal relationship between variables.

The extent to which the results of a study can be generalized to other populations, settings, or situations.

The use of existing data for a new research purpose that was not the original intention of the data collection.

A structured conversation designed to gather insights from participants. It involves formulating research questions, creating interview guides, conducting interviews, transcribing responses, and analyzing the data.

A detailed plan outlining the questions and topics to be covered during an interview. It helps guide the conversation and ensure all relevant information is collected.

A list of topics or questions used during an interview to guide the conversation and ensure the interviewer covers all necessary areas. It can be flexible to allow for spontaneous discussions.

A structured, systematic process for analyzing text content to identify patterns, themes, and meanings. It involves breaking down the text into units of analysis and coding them according to predetermined criteria.

A variant of content analysis that focuses on quantifying the frequency of specific words, phrases, or concepts within a text. It uses statistical methods to identify patterns and trends.

A variant of content analysis that focuses on understanding the meaning and interpretation of text content. It uses qualitative methods to explore the nuances and complexities of the text.

A criterion for evaluating interview responses that considers whether the respondent provided all relevant information related to the question.

A criterion for evaluating interview responses that assesses whether the interviewer understands the respondent's answer clearly.