Terminology

• Generalizability


  The extent to which research findings can be applied or generalized to other populations, settings, or contexts beyond the study's sample
• Reliability


  The consistency and stability of research measurements, results, or findings. Reliable research produces consistent results under similar conditions
• Accuracy


  The correctness and precision of research data, analyses, and conclusions. Accurate research ensures that data are free from errors or biases
• Validity


  The extent to which a research study measures what it intends to measure and draws appropriate conclusions based on the collected data
• Types of validity


  • Internal Validity: The extent to which a study accurately reflects the causal relationships between variables within the study design
  • External Validity: The extent to which research findings can be generalized or applied to other populations, contexts, or settings
• Ecological Validity


  The degree to which research findings can be generalized or applied to real-world settings or situations. Ecologically valid research mimics real-life conditions, enhancing its applicability to practical scenarios
• Mundane Realism


  The extent to which a research study's procedures, tasks, or environments resemble everyday life experiences. High mundane realism enhances the study's ecological validity
• Ethics


  Principles and standards of conduct governing research practices, including participant rights, informed consent, confidentiality, avoiding harm, and ensuring research integrity
• Credibility


  The believability and trustworthiness of research findings, methodologies, and interpretations. Credible research is based on sound methodologies, rigorous analysis, and transparent reporting
• Triangulation


  The use of multiple methods, measures, or sources of data to corroborate findings and enhance the validity and reliability of research results
• Bias


  Systematic errors or distortions in research design, data collection, analysis, or interpretation that can influence research outcomes. Common types of bias include selection bias, confirmation bias, and observer bias
• Standardization


  The process of establishing uniform procedures, protocols, or measurement tools to ensure consistency and comparability across different study conditions or participants
• Control Group


  A group in an experiment that does not receive the experimental treatment or intervention, serving as a comparison to the experimental group
• Experimental Group


  The group in an experiment that receives the experimental treatment or intervention being studied
• Randomization


  The process of assigning participants to different experimental or control groups randomly, reducing bias and increasing the validity of experimental designs
• Counterbalancing


  A technique used in experimental designs to control for order effects by systematically varying the order in which different conditions or treatments are presented to participants
• Placebo Effect


  The phenomenon where participants' expectations or beliefs about receiving a treatment or intervention influence their response, even if the treatment is inert or has no real effect
• Double-Blind Study


  A research design in which both the participants and the researchers involved are unaware of who is receiving the treatment and who is in the control group, minimizing bias and placebo effects
• Single-Blind Study


  A research design in which either the participants or the researchers (but not both) are unaware of who is receiving the treatment, helping to reduce bias
• Correlation


  A statistical measure that indicates the degree of association or relationship between two variables. Correlation does not imply causation
• Causation

  The relationship between cause and effect, where changes in one variable (the independent variable) lead to changes in another variable (the dependent variable)
• Longitudinal Study

  A research design that follows participants over an extended period to study changes or developments over time
• Cross-Sectional Study


  A research design that collects data from participants at a single point in time, providing a snapshot of characteristics or relationships at that moment
• Survey Method


  A research method that involves collecting data from participants through questionnaires or surveys to gather information about attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, or demographics
• Experimental Design


  The structure or plan of an experiment that includes factors such as independent and dependent variables, control variables, randomization, and manipulation of conditions
• Quasi-Experimental Design


  A research design that resembles an experimental design but lacks random assignment to groups, often used when randomization is not feasible or ethical
• Case Study


  An in-depth examination of a single individual, group, or phenomenon, often used to explore rare or unique cases in depth
• Cross-Validation


  A technique used to assess the generalizability and robustness of statistical models by testing them on independent datasets or subsamples of the original data
• Factor Analysis


  A statistical technique used to identify underlying factors or dimensions that explain patterns of correlations among variables
• Response Bias


  Systematic tendencies of participants to respond in a certain way, such as social desirability bias (presenting oneself favorably) or acquiescence bias (tendency to agree with statements)
• Factorial Design


  An experimental design that examines the effects of multiple independent variables (factors) on one or more dependent variables, allowing for the study of interactions between variables
• Content Analysis


  A research method used to systematically analyze and categorize qualitative data, such as text or media content, to identify themes, patterns, or trends
• Grounded Theory


  A qualitative research approach focused on developing theories or explanations based on empirical data, often used in exploratory or hypothesis-generating research
• Convenience Sampling


  A non-probability sampling method where participants are selected based on convenience or accessibility, often leading to limited generalizability of findings