Glossary

accountability

The idea that researchers are responsible for conducting research that is ethical, honest, and following accepted research practices.

action research

research that is conducted for the purpose of creating social change

aggregate matching

In nonequivalent comparison group designs, the process in which researchers match the population profile of the comparison and experimental groups.

alternate/multiple forms reliability

A type of reliability in which multiple forms of a tool yield the same results from the same participants.

artifacts

Artifacts are a source of data for qualitative researcher that exist in some form already, without the research having to create it. They represent a very broad category that can range from print media, to clothing, to tools, to art, to live performances.

assent form

Comparable to the informed consent for BUT this is for children who are old enough to understand and make a decision about a research project.

assumptions

The characteristics we assume about our data, like that it is normally distributed, that makes it suitable for certain types of statistical tests

availability sampling

researcher gathers data from whatever cases happen to be convenient or available

beneficence

One of the three values indicated in the Belmont report. An obligation to protect people from harm by maximizing benefits and minimizing risks.

BIASES

Biases are conscious or subconscious preferences that lead us to favor some things over others.

bivariate analysis

a group of statistical techniques that examines the relationship between two variables

bracketing

A qualitative research technique where the researcher attempts to capture and track their subjective assumptions during the research process. * note, there are other definitions of bracketing, but this is the most widely used.

BRUSO model

An acronym, BRUSO for writing questions in survey research. The letters stand for: “brief,” “relevant,” “unambiguous,” “specific,” and “objective.”

case studies

Case studies are a type of qualitative research design that focus on a defined case and gathers data to provide a very rich, full understanding of that case. It usually involves gathering data from multiple different sources to get a well-rounded case description.

categorical variables

variables whose values are organized into mutually exclusive groups but whose numerical values cannot be used in mathematical operations.

chronbach’s alpha

Statistical tool used to asses the internal consistency of an instrument. See also split-half approach.

cluster sampling

a sampling approach that begins by sampling groups (or clusters) of population elements and then selects elements from within those groups

coding

Part of the qualitative data analysis process where we begin to interpret and assign meaning to the data.

coercion

When a participant faces undue or excess pressure to participate by either favorable or unfavorable means, this is known as coercion and must be avoided by researchers

comparison group

the group of participants in our study who do not receive the intervention we are researching in experiments without random assignment

concurrent validity

A type of Criterion validity. Examines how well a tool provides the same scores as an already existing tool.

conditions

The different levels of the independent variable in an experimental design.

confidence interval

a range of values in which the true value is likely to be, to provide a more accurate description of their data

confound

a variable whose influence makes it difficult to understand the relationship between an independent and dependent variable

constant comparison

Constant comparison reflects the motion that takes place in some qualitative analysis approaches whereby the researcher moves back and forth between the data and the emerging categories and evolving understanding they have in their results. They are continually checking what they believed to be the results against the raw data they are working with.

constructivist

Constructivist research is a qualitative design that seeks to develop a deep understanding of the meaning that people attach to events, experiences, or phenomena.

constructs

Conditions that are not directly observable and represent states of being, experiences, and ideas.

content validity

The extent to which a measure “covers” the construct of interest, i.e., it's comprehensiveness to measure the construct.

context-dependent

Research findings are applicable to the group of people who contributed to the knowledge building and the situation in which it took place.

contingency table

a visual representation of across-tabulation of categorical variables to demonstrate all the possible occurrences of categories

continuous variables

variables whose values are mutually exclusive and can be used in mathematical operations

control group

the group of participants in our study who do not receive the intervention we are researching in experiments with random assignment

control variable

a confounding variable whose effects are accounted for mathematically in quantitative analysis to isolate the relationship between an independent and dependent variable

correlation

a relationship between two variables in which their values change together.

correlation coefficient

a statistically derived value between -1 and 1 that tells us the magnitude and direction of the relationship between two variables

covariation

when the values of two variables change at the same time

criterion validity

The extent to which people’s scores on a measure are correlated with other variables (known as criteria) that one would expect them to be correlated with.

cross-sectional

Research that collects data at one point in time.

data dictionary

This is the document where you list your variable names, what the variables actually measure or represent, what each of the values of the variable mean if the meaning isn't obvious.

data triangulation

Including data from multiple sources to help enhance your understanding of a topic

database

a searchable collection of information

deconstructing data

The act of breaking piece of qualitative data apart during the analysis process to discern meaning and ultimately, the results of the study.

descriptive statistics

A technique for summarizing and presenting data.

direct relationship

Occurs when two variables move together in the same direction - as one increases, so does the other, or, as one decreases, so does the other

discrete variables

Variables with finite value choices.

dissemination

“a planned process that involves consideration of target audiences and the settings in which research findings are to be received and, where appropriate, communicating and interacting with wider policy and…service audiences in ways that will facilitate research uptake in decision-making processes and practice” (Wilson, Petticrew, Calnan, & Natareth, 2010, p. 91)

dissemination plan

how you plan to share your research findings

dissemination strategy

How you plan to share your research findings

document analysis

The analysis of documents (or other existing artifacts) as a source of data.

element

the units in your sampling frame, usually people or documents

empirical data

information about the social world gathered and analyzed through scientific observation or experimentation

equity-informed research agenda

A general approach to research that is conscientious of the dynamics of power and control created by the act of research and attempts to actively address these dynamics through the process and outcomes of research.

essence

Often the end result of a phenomological study, this is a description of the lived experience of the phenomenon being studied.

ethnography

Ethnography is a qualitative research design that is used when we are attempting to learn about a culture by observing people in their natural environment.

ex post facto

After the fact

exclusion criteria

characteristics that disqualify a person from being included in a sample

expedited review

Expedited review is the middle level of review. Studies considered under expedited review do not have to go before the full IRB board because they expose participants to minimal risk. However, the studies must be thoroughly reviewed by a member of the IRB committee.

experiment 

an operation or procedure carried out under controlled conditions in order to discover an unknown effect or law, to test or establish a hypothesis, or to illustrate a known law.

extraneous variables

variables and characteristics that have an effect on your outcome, but aren't the primary variable whose influence you're interested in testing.

face validity

The extent to which a measurement method appears “on its face” to measure the construct of interest

feasibility

whether you can practically and ethically complete the research project you propose

field notes

Notes that are taken by the researcher while we are in the field, gathering data.

generalize

(as in generalization) to make claims about a large population based on a smaller sample of people or items

histogram

a graphical display of a distribution.

human subject

The US Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) defines a human subject as “a living individual about whom an investigator (whether professional or student) conducting research obtains (1) data through intervention or interaction with the individual, or (2) identifiable private information” (USDHHS, 1993, para. 1). [2]

impact

Tthe long-term condition that occurs at the end of a defined time period after an intervention.

indirect observables

In measurement, conditions that are subtle and complex that we must use existing knowledge and intuition to define.

individual matching

In nonequivalent comparison group designs, the process by which researchers match individual cases in the experimental group to similar cases in the comparison group.

inter-rater reliability

The extent to which different observers are consistent in their assessment or rating of a particular characteristic or item.

interval

A higher level of measurement. Denoted by having mutually exclusive categories, a hierarchy (order), and equal spacing between values. This last item means that values may be added, subtracted, divided, and multiplied.

intra-rater reliability

Type of reliability in which a rater rates something the same way on two different occasions.

intuitions

yer gut feelin'

inverse relationship

occurs when two variables change in opposite directions - one goes up, the other goes down and vice versa

justice

One of the three ethical principles in the Belmont Report. States that benefits and burdens of research should be distributed fairly.

keywords

the words or phrases in your search query

level of measurement

The level that describes the type of operations can be conducted with your data. There are four nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio.

levels

The possible values of the variable - like a participant's age, income or gender.

linear regression

a statistical technique that can be used to predict how an independent variable affects a dependent variable in the context of other variables.

macro
magnitude

The strength of a correlation, determined by the absolute value of a correlation coefficient

measurement

The process by which we describe and ascribe meaning to the key facts, concepts, or other phenomena that we are investigating.

measurement error

The differerence between that value that we get when we measure something and the true value

measurement validity

Refers to the ability of a tool to measure what it claims to measure.

member-checking

Member checking involves taking your results back to participants to see if we "got it right" in our analysis. While our findings bring together many different peoples' data into one set of findings, participants should still be able to recognize their input and feel like their ideas and experiences have been captured adequately.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)

A written agreement between parties that want to participate in a collaborative project.

meso
meta-analysis

a study that combines raw data from multiple quantitative studies and analyzes the pooled data using statistics

meta-research

uses the scientific method to analyze and improve the scientific production of knowledge (e.g., systematic review, meta-analysis)

micro

individual

mixed methods research

when researchers use both quantitative and qualitative methods in a project

narratives

Those stories that we compose as human beings that allow us to make meaning of our experiences and the world around us

negative correlation

occurs when two variables change in opposite directions - one goes up, the other goes down and vice versa

negative relationship

relationship in which the independent and dependent variables move in opposite directions (e.g., as one goes up, the other goes down). Also called an inverse relationship.

neutrality

The idea that qualitative researchers attempt to limit or at the very least account for their own biases, motivations, interests and opinions during the research process.

nomothetic

A type of understanding that

non-probability sampling

sampling approaches for which a person’s likelihood of being selected for membership in the sample is unknown

nonresponse Bias

The bias that occurs when those who respond to your request to participate in a study are different from those who do not respond to you request to participate in a study.

null hypothesis

the assumption that no relationship exists between the variables in question

observational terms

In measurement, conditions that are easy to identify and verify through direct observation.

observations/cases

The rows in your data set. In social work, these are often your study participants (people), but can be anything from census tracts to black bears to trains.

observer triangulation

including more than one member of your research team to aid in analyzing the data

operational definitions

The concrete and specific defintion of something in terms of the operations by which observations can be categorized.

operationalization

The process of determining how to measure a construct that cannot be directly observed

oral histories

Oral histories are a type of qualitative research design that offers a detailed accounting of a person's life, some event, or experience. This story(ies) is aimed at answering a specific research question.

ordinal

Level of measurement that follows nominal level. Has mutually exclusive categories and a hierarchy (order).

participant

Those who are asked to contribute data in a research study; sometimes called respondents or subjects.

periodicity

the tendency for a pattern to occur at regular intervals

phenomenology

A qualitative research design that aims to capture and describe the lived experience of some event or "phenomenon" for a group of people.

pilot testing

Testing out your research materials in advance on people who are not included as participants in your study.

population

the larger group of people you want to be able to make conclusions about based on the conclusions you draw from the people in your sample

positionality

describes an individual’s world view and the position they adopt about a research task and its social and political context

positive correlation

Occurs when two variables move together in the same direction - as one increases, so does the other, or, as one decreases, so does the other

positive relationship

relationship in which both the independent and dependent variables move in the same direction (e.g., as one goes up, so does the other)

power

the odds you will detect a significant relationship between variables when one is truly present in your sample

predictive validity

A type of criterion validity that examines how well your tool predicts a future criterion.

probability proportionate to size

in cluster sampling, giving clusters different chances of being selected based on their size so that each element within those clusters has an equal chance of being selected

probability sampling

sampling approaches for which a person’s likelihood of being selected from the sampling frame is known

probes

Probes a brief prompts or follow up questions that are used in qualitative interviewing to help draw out additional information on a particular question or idea.

professional development

the "uptake of formal and informal learning opportunities that deepen and extend...professional competence, including knowledge, beliefs, motivation, and self-regulatory skills" (Richter, Kunter, Klusmann, Lüdtke, & Baumert, 2014)

program evaluation

The systematic process by which we determine if social programs are meeting their goals, how well the program runs, whether the program had the desired effect, and whether the program has merit according to stakeholders (including in terms of the monetary costs and benefits)

pseudoscience

claims about the world that appear scientific but are incompatible with the values and practices of science

psychometrics

The science of measurement. Involves using theory to assess measurement procedures and tools.

quantitative data

numerical data

quantitative methods

quantitative methods examine numerical data to precisely describe and predict elements of the social world

questionnaire

The actual tool that collects data in survey research.

random errors

Errors lack any perceptable pattern.

ratio

The highest level of measurement. Denoted by mutually exclusive categories, a hierarchy (order), values can be added, subtracted, multiplied, and divided, and the presence of an absolute zero.

reciprocal determinism

Concept advanced by Albert Bandura that human behavior both shapes and is shaped by their environment.

reconstruction

The act of putting the deconstructed qualitative back together during the analysis process in the search for meaning and ultimately the results of the study.

recruitment

the process by which the researcher informs potential participants about the study and attempts to get them to participate

reliability

The ability of a measurement tool to measure a phenomenon the same way, time after time. Note: Reliability does not imply validity.

respect for persons

One of the three ethical principles espoused in the Belmont Report. Treating people as autonomous beings who have the right to make their own decisions. Acknowledging participants' personal dignity.

sample

the group of people you successfully recruit from your sampling frame to participate in your study

sampling distribution

the set of all possible samples you could possibly draw for your study

sampling frame

the list of people from which a researcher will draw her sample

secondary data

Data someone else has collected that you have permission to use in your research.

sequence

in mixed methods research, this refers to the order each method is used

signposting

the words used to identify the organization and structure of your literature review to your reader

simple random sampling

selecting elements from a list using randomly generated numbers

split-half reliability

A reliability evaluation that examines the internal consistency of a a measurement tool. This process involves comparing one half of a tool to the other half of the same tool and evaluating the results.

spurious

A relationship where it appears that two variables are related BUT they aren't. Another variable is actually influencing the relationship.

spurious relationship

when a relationship between two variables appears to be causal but can in fact be explained by influence of a third variable

strata

the characteristic by which the sample is divided in stratified random sampling

stratified random sampling

dividing the study population into subgroups based on a characteristic (or strata) and then drawing a sample from each subgroup

systematic errors

Errors that are generally predictable.

systematic sampling

selecting every kth element from your sampling frame

target population

the group of people whose needs your study addresses

temporality

as a criteria for causal relationship, the cause must come before the effect

Test

this is a test to see if the box pops up

test-retest reliability

The extent to which scores obtained on a scale or other measure are consistent across time

the literature

published works that document a scholarly conversation on a specific topic within and between disciplines

transferability

whether a research result is applicable in another context or situation

transparency

The process of research is record and described in such a way that the steps the researcher took throughout the research process are clear.

triangulation

Triangulation of data refers to the use of multiple types, measures or sources of data in a research project to increase the confidence that we have in our findings.

trustworthy data

Data that accurately portrays information that was shared in or by the original source.

unit of analysis

entity that a researcher wants to say something about at the end of her study (individual, group, or organization)

unit of observation

the entities that a researcher actually observes, measures, or collects in the course of trying to learn something about her unit of analysis (individuals, groups, or organizations)

univariate data analysis

Univariate data analysis is a quantitative method in which a variable is examined individually to determine its distribution.

validity

The extent to which the scores from a measure represent the variable they are intended to.

variable name

The name of your variable.

variables

“a logical grouping of attributes that can be observed and measured and is expected to vary from person to person in a population” (Gillespie & Wagner, 2018, p. 9)

vulnerable populations

People who are at risk of undue influence or coercion. Examples are children, prisoners, parolees, and persons with impaired mental capabilities. Additional groups may be vulnerable if they are deemed to be unable to give consent.

word

thing that is a thing

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Scientific Inquiry in Social Work (2nd Edition) Copyright © 2020 by Matthew DeCarlo, Cory Cummings, and Kate Agnelli is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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