Terminology

• Research Strategy

  A general approach to research determined by the kind of question that the research study hopes to answer.
• Descriptive Research Strategy

  Not concerned with relationships between variables, rather, the description of individual variables.
• Correlational Research Strategy

  Attempts to describe the relationship (if one exists); it is not trying to explain relationships.
• Linear Relationships

  In a graph, showing the changing values of two variables, a pattern in which the data points tend to cluster around a straight line.
• Curvilinear Relationship

  A graph showing the changing values of two variables, a pattern which the data point tends to cluster around a curved line.
• Positive Relationships

  Increase in one variable tend to be accompanied by increases in the other.
• Negative Relationships

  Increases in one variable are accompanied by decreases in the other.
• Experimental Research Strategy

  A research strategy that attempts to establish the existence of a cause-and-effect relationship between two variables by manipulating one variable while measuring the second variable and controll all other variables.
• Quasi-Experimental Research Strategy

  A research strategy that aims to investigate cause-and-effect relationships between variables, resembling experiments but lacking full control in the assignment of individuals to treatment and countrol group.
• Nonexperimental and Correlational Research Strategy


  Compares two or more groups of scores, measuring only one variable for each individual and produces data.