Quiz #3

instrument

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ANOVA

A bivarate statistical test used to determine whether three or more groups are significantly different from each other based on a particular characteristic- also called one-way analysis of variance

structured observation

Deductive; Attempts to support or refute pre-determined hypothesis. Data collected is analyzed quantitatively (percentages, correlational study, central tendency- Common instruments- counting number of times a behavior occurs, yes/no, checklist.

observational research

Process of using all senses, particularity sight and hearing, to collect data, especially behaviors.- First hand account of behavior- the researcher usually makes observations in a naturalistic(public) or specifically designed context (setting where outsiders are allowed in) but does not deliberately attempt to manipulate the independent variable to produce changes in the dependent variable.

code book

a compilation of all the questions in an instrument, their response categories, and the code numbers assigned to each response category (also called a data dictionary)

mean

arithmetic average of all scores

t-test

bivarate test that determines whether two groups are significantly different based on a particular characteristic

correlation test

determines whether there is a statistically significant association between variables

bivariate statistics

examine two variables at a time

range

identifies the lowest and highest scores in a response - eg., if test scores range from 65 to 98, the range in scores is 65 to 98 or a total score range of 33 (98-65)

validity

observational research usually delivers strong validity as researchers are actually seeing first hand the behavior of interest.

positive relationship

positive relationship between two variables is an association in which the values of both variables cary in the sme direction (eg. fatty food intake goes up, weight goes up)

coding

process used to prepare data for analysis

subject focused

qualitative inquiries require that data collectors also be subject-focused- must build rapport with key people, be good listeners, be able to identify cues for further exploration, be able to spontaneously formulate new questions relevant to the people being studied, remember i some detail what is said for later recording of data , and accurately and comprehensively record what was said/observed

object-focused

quantitative inquiries require an object focused data collector (completely focused on the object being studied.) An object focused researcher collects data that reflect the perspectives and experience of the research participant without any interference (verbally or non-verbally communicating agreement or disagreement with responses, using verbal or non-verbal clues, tones of voice, expressions that might effect answers)

Statistical significance

refers to the significance of a relationship between tow variable determined by mathematical principals

Significance

refers to the strength of the relationship between two variables

Reliability

reliability is more difficult to ensure in observational studies, especially in unstructured design. Inter rater reliability (below) is most important to introduce. Different observers may have different perspectives/viewpoints. Having two or more observers minimizes occurrence of observer bias.

descriptive statistics

statistics that are used to summarize the responses for each variable

measures of variability

summarizes how the responses to a question vary of disperse away from their central tendencies (common statistics that measure variability of scores are range and standard deviation)

standard deviation

takes into account the extent to which ech of the scores or responses to a question vary from the mean score- often abbreviated to S.D.

statistical tests

test that determines statistical significance

chi-square test

test used to determine whether the values of one variable are associated with the values of another variable. Sometimes referred to as cross-tabs ar a cross-tabulation of these variables

frequency distribution

A statistic that describes the number of times each of the values of a cvariable are observed in a sample

measures of central tendency

A statistic that measures an entire set of scores in a single representative number.

unstructured observation

Inductive; Attempts to gain or deepen knowledge. Broad focus, room to insert unexpected behaviors. Open and flexible. Hypothesis has not been specifically defined, so a great deal of flexibility is allowed the observers in terms of what they note and record. Common instruments- notes, narratives, direct quotes

correlation coefficient

Special feature of a correlation test designed so that a correlations test score falls somewhere between a -1 or a +1. A statistical measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other

unobtrusive measures

measures of non-human entities such as social artifacts (for instance, state of care/neglect of neighborhood parks in communities) or archived data such as historical documents

median

middle score- that is, half the scores are above, half below

mode

most frequent score

negative relationship

negative relationship between two variables is an association in which the value of each variable carries an opposite direction (amount of exercise goes down, weight goes up)