M - N

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• mean

  The arithmetic average of a set of data in which the values of all observations are added together and divided by the number of observations.
  

• measurement scales

  Measurement of a trait or event by assigning a number or category to represent it. The methods used to display data will depend on the type of scale used to measure the variable(s). There are four scales of measurement: nominal, ordinal, interval or ratio.
  

• median

  The outcome that divides an ordered distribution exactly into halves.
  

• mediating factors

  Factors that explain how and why an event will occur. For example, a "mediator variable" may explain how external physical events take on internal psychological significance.
  

• meta-analysis

  A technique that allows one to combine the findings from existing research studies on a particular topic to determine whether significant trends can be found.
  

• method/methodology

  While method describes what the researcher has done, methodology provides the reasons for doing it.
  

• mode

  The most frequent value (number, score, amount) in a group of values. For example, the mode in the group of “3, 5, 3, 100” is “3.”
  

• morbidity

  Sickness, or a measure of how frequent or prevalent sickness is.
  

• multivariate analysis

  The study of two or more effects (dependent variables) at one time.
  

• narrative

  Narrative or biographical approaches to research are primarily qualitative, and include gathering and using data in the form of diaries, stories and life histories.
  

• nominal scale

  A scale that uses groupings instead of ranking (scoring, numbering). For example, eye color could be grouped by “blue,” “brown,” or “green,” not given different numbers. Other groupings used on a nominal scale could be by diagnosis, age, sex, or race.
  

• non-linear relationship

  A relationship between two variables that are not directly related to each other.
  

• non-parametric statistical procedures

  Tests that don’t need to make strong assumptions about characteristics of people who take the tests.
  

• non-participant observation

  Non-participant observation is where the researcher attempts to remove or detach themselves as an actor from the research situation.
  

• non-random sampling

  Non-random sampling means that the principle of randomness has not been maintained in the selection of a sample. Often it involves structured sampling whereby the sample group is carefully matched to the overall population on key variables. Non-random sampling is often done for convenience, or is the only approach possible in the circumstances.
  

• normal frequency distribution

  A bell-shaped curve of values (amounts, numbers, scores) in which the average, the midpoint, and the most frequent score are all the same.