Research Glossary

Yousuf Jalal
 Abstract
A summary of a study that describes
the hypotheses, procedures, and
conclusions.
TEACH A COURSE 2
 Population
General term for the larger group from which a
sample is selected or the group to which the
researcher would like to generalize the results
of the study.
TEACH A COURSE 3
Accessible Population
The population from which the
researcher can realistically select
subjects. Also called available
population
TEACH A COURSE 4
 Target Population
The population to which the researcher
would ideally like to generalize study
results.
TEACH A COURSE 5
 Accidental Sampling
The process of including whoever happens to
be available in a sample (e.g., volunteers).
Also called accidental sampling or haphazard
sampling.
TEACH A COURSE 6
 Action Research
Any systematic inquiry conducted by teachers,
principals, school counselors, or other stake
holders in the teaching–learning environment to
gather information about the ways in which their
particular schools operate, the teachers teach,
and the students learn.
TEACH A COURSE 7
 Anonymity
State of being unknown; study participants
are anonymous when their identities are
hidden from the researcher.

TEACH A COURSE 8
 Applied Research
Research conducted for the purpose of
applying, or testing, a theory to determine
its usefulness in solving practical problems.

TEACH A COURSE 9
 Basic Research
Research conducted for the purpose of
developing or refining a theory.

TEACH A COURSE 10
 Aptitude Test
A measure of potential used to predict how
well an individual is likely to perform in a future
situation.

TEACH A COURSE 11
 Assessment
General term for the process of collecting,
synthesizing, and interpreting information;
also, the instrument used for such purposes.
A test is a type of assessment.
TEACH A COURSE 12
 Case Study
The in-depth investigation of one unit (e.g.,
individual, group, institution, organization,
program, or document).

TEACH A COURSE 13
 closed-ended item
An item on a questionnaire that requires the
respondent to choose from among response
options (e.g., by circling a letter, checking a
list, or numbering preferences). Also called
closed-ended item.
TEACH A COURSE 14
 Cognitive Test
An assessment designed to measure
intellectual processes

TEACH A COURSE 15
Deductive Hypothesis
A hypothesis derived from theory that
provides evidence to support, expand, or
contradict the theory.
TEACH A COURSE 16
 Deductive Reasoning
Reasoning that involves developing
specific predictions based on general
principles, observations, or experiences.
TEACH A COURSE 17
 Diagnostic Test
A type of achievement test that yields
scores for multiple areas of achievement
to facilitate identification of a student’s
weak and strong areas.
TEACH A COURSE 18
 Educational Research
The formal, systematic application of the
scientific method to the study of educational
problems.

TEACH A COURSE 19
 Formative Evaluation
Evaluation whose function is to form and
improve a program or product under
development so that weaknesses that can be
remedied during implementation.
TEACH A COURSE 20
Summative Evaluation
• Evaluation whose function is to summarize
the overall quality or worth of a program or
product at its completion.

TEACH A COURSE 21
Historical Research
A qualitative approach in which the
researcher focuses on collecting and
evaluating data to understand and
interpret past events.
TEACH A COURSE 22
 Mean
•The arithmetic average of
a set of scores
TEACH A COURSE 23
 Median
•The midpoint in a distribution;
50% of the scores are above the
median and 50% are below.
TEACH A COURSE 24
 Mode
•The score that is attained by more
subjects in a group than any other
score
TEACH A COURSE 25
 Range
•The difference between the highest
and lowest score in a distribution.

TEACH A COURSE 26
Probability Sampling
• The process of selecting a sample using a
sampling technique that permits the
researcher to specify the probability, or
chance, that each member of a defined
population will be selected for the sample.
TEACH A COURSE 27
Qualitative Research
• The collection, analysis, and interpretation of
comprehensive narrative and visual data to gain
insights into a particular phenomenon of
interest. Sometimes called naturalistic research,
naturalistic inquiry, or field-oriented research.
TEACH A COURSE 28
Qualitative Sampling
• The process of selecting a small number of
individuals for a study in such a way that
the selected individuals can help the
researcher understand the phenomenon
under investigation.
TEACH A COURSE 29
Quantitative Research
•The collection of numerical data to
explain, predict and/or control
phenomena of interest.
TEACH A COURSE 30
 Quota Sampling
•The process of selecting a sample based
on required, exact numbers (i.e.,
quotas) of persons of varying
characteristics.
TEACH A COURSE 31
 Random Sampling
•The process of selecting individuals
for a sample on a completely chance
basis.
TEACH A COURSE 32
 Validity
• The degree to which a test measures what it is
intended to measure; a test is valid for a
particular purpose for a particular group. In
qualitative research, validity refers to the
degree to which qualitative data accurately
gauge what the researcher is trying to measure.
TEACH A COURSE 33
 Reliability
• The degree to which a test (or qualitative
research data) consistently measures
whatever it measures.

TEACH A COURSE 34
 Research
•The formal, systematic application of
the scientific method to the study of
problems.
TEACH A COURSE 35
 Sample
• A number of individuals, items, or events
selected from a population for a study,
preferably in such a way that they
represent the larger group from which they
were selected.
TEACH A COURSE 36
 Sampling
• The process of selecting a number of
individuals (i.e., a sample) from a
population, preferably in such a way that
the selected individuals represent the
larger group from which they were
TEACH A COURSE
selected. 37
 Sampling Error
•Expected, chance variation in variables
that occurs when a sample is selected
from a population.
TEACH A COURSE 38
 Scientific Method
• An orderly process that entails recognition and
definition of a problem, formulation of
hypotheses, collection of data, and statement
of conclusions regarding confirmation or
disconfirmation of the hypotheses.
TEACH A COURSE 39
 Simple Random
Sampling
• The process of selecting a sample in such a
way that all individuals in the defined
population have an equal and independent
chance of selection for the sample.
TEACH A COURSE 40
Stratified Sampling
• A purposive process of selecting a sample:
The population is subdivided into
subgroups, and participants are
strategically selected from each subgroup.
TEACH A COURSE 41
 Hypothesis
An explanation for the occurrence of
certain behaviors, phenomena, or
events; a prediction of research findings.
TEACH A COURSE 42
 Null Hypothesis
A hypothesis stating that there is no relation
(or difference) between variables and that
any relation/difference found will be due to
chance; i.e., the result of sampling error.
TEACH A COURSE 43
 Type I Error
•The rejection by the researcher
of a null hypothesis that is
actually true.
TEACH A COURSE 44
 Type II Error
•The failure of a researcher to
reject a null hypothesis that
is really false.
TEACH A COURSE 45
 Any
Question?

Best of Luck

TEACH A COURSE 46