Basic Research Terminology

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
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
experimental group--the one that get the treatment
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)
measures of central tendency--averages; e.g., the mean
measures of variability--spread; e.g., standard deviation
mean--the arithmetic average
median--the middle where half the scores fall above, half below. eliminates the influence of
outliers
mode--the score that occurs most
no evidence--we don't know, haven't figured out how to attack the problem, or haven't cared
enough to try
operational definition--how a term is used in a study.
population--all of a group of interest
random--by chance
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. Also see
statistical significance
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 designs
T-score--a standard score on the normal curve where the mean is assigned "50" with deviations
of "10". Allows more simple interpretation of student achievement.
t-test--a parametric statistical tool that compares differences between the means of two groups;
assumptions for use include normal distribution and at least interval data.
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.
z-score--a standard score on the normal curve. Each z-score is counted as "1" from the mean,
plus or minus.