Muhammad Asif

ID NO: (11150)

Basic Research Terminologies:

Knowing common research terminology helps you understand how to read
and interpret scholarly journal articles so you can more effectively apply the
results to real world human performance. The following are basic research
terms and definitions.

abstract----a brief overview of a research study

constitutive definition--the basic, dictionary meaning

construct--a term that describes a human variable that is not directly

measurable (e.g., motivation, self esteem). Also known as a psychological
construct

control group--in experiments, the one that doesn't get the treatment

correlational study--a type of research design that depicts a relationship

between variables, but not necessarily one of cause-effect

data--information. can be numbers or words. plural form of datum. the

"data show" not "shows"

dependent variable--the quality you are observing

descriptive study--research design that describes "what is" (e.g., a

survey)

experiment--a research design used to find "cause-effect" relationships.

the "effect of...on..". lots of variations. top shelf in research

external validity--how generalizable the results are outside of the study as

it concerns other populations and locations.

independent variable--the one you are manipulating. The effect of

(independent, such as training method) on....
internal validity--the extent to which a study measures what it is supposed
to (accuracy within the study.

random sample--everybody had the same chance of being assigned to any

group. sometimes confused with who you ran into by chance

research--a systematic, objective way to generate facts or knowledge

research design--the game plan or method for finding out what you want
to know. experiments, correlations, descriptive studies

sample--a smaller group that represents a population of interest

significance--two meanings: significance of the study means why it is

importance.

standard deviation--a measure of spread. the average deviation of a

group of scores from the mean

statistical significance--an important finding that did not likely happen by

chance. p<.05 means that there were less than 5 chances in 100 that the
result would have happened randomly

statistics--mathematical tools based on the normal curve used to analyze

data. researchers must match statistics with research design.

the extent to which--a favorite phrase of researchers that means "how

much". implies ranges and probabilities and avoids absolutes

validity----accuracy. the extent to which a test or study measures what it is

supposed to measure

variable----a quality of interest that can be manipulated or observed.