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Qualitative data will normally be presented discursively (though multi-media is increasingly being used), and will focus on depth and subtlety in a single or small number of settings, rather than counting characteristics over a larger number of settings or responses from more people. This method can provide a rich and more in-depth data set. Researchers will often use qualitative methods to compliment quantitative methods and vice versa.
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A person’s well-being (physical, mental, emotional, social) looked at as a whole, usually by that person.
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Quantitative data is that which can be stored in reasonably well-defined categories, and in sufficient volume (i.e. number of responses) to permit tabular and cross-tabular presentations, and possibly statistical analysis. In other words, it is about counting and offering findings as numbers or percentages. The strength of this approach lies in the precision and clarity with which findings can be stated, and the scope which exists (via appropriate statistical tests) for establishing general validity. In some sectors, statistical presentation is respected more than any other format.
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A quasi-experiment is an experiment in which a potential cause (independent variable) has been manipulated, but conditions do not permit the use of a random selection of research subjects and/or the effective control of extraneous variables. Most field research which seeks to be an experiment is likely to fall into the quasi-experimental category.
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The process of putting study participants into groups ("experimental" or "control") purely by chance.
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A group of people (or animals or things) chosen from a larger group by chance. Sometimes this kind of sampling is done with a table of random numbers, or with a computer giving out random numbers, or by drawing lots.
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A design in which the subjects are put into groups (blocks) of the same size as the number of treatments. The members of each block are then randomly assigned to different treatment groups.
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All the values (amounts, numbers, scores) from lowest to highest; the distance the whole group covers.
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Rapid Assessment Process (RAP) is a way to investigate complicated situations in which issues are not yet well defined and where there is not sufficient time or other resources for long-term, traditional qualitative research. RAP uses intensive team interaction in both the collection and analysis of data, instead of prolonged fieldwork, iterative data analysis and additional data collection, to quickly develop a preliminary understanding of a situation from the insider's perspective.
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A scale with an absolute zero point and equal space between each point; for example, weight or height is measured on a ratio scale.
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A return to an earlier state or behavior, or a lack of improvement. For example, a “rehabilitated” criminal who commits another crime, or a “stabilized” client who needs treatment again.
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In the context of a research report, a reference is a formal system for drawing attention to a literature source, usually published, both in the report itself (for instance, when you want to identify the source of a quotation), and in the bibliography or reading list at the end of the report.
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A way of predicting one value or amount (the “effect” or “dependent variable”) from other values or amounts (the “causes” or “independent variables”); predicting the effect by what the cause looks like.
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The closeness with which the data being gathered feeds into the aims of the study.
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The extent to which the same result will be repeatedly achieved by using the same measure.
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Repeating a study to check the results; or a study that repeats an earlier one.
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People chosen because they can stand for a larger group, so that the researcher can link the findings about the sample to the larger group.
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Research population, or its derivatives such as survey population and experimental population, is the total number of potential subjects for your research. If this population is larger than you need or can cope with, then you should use a rational and unbiased process for reducing the number (sampling).
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The proportion of people asked to take part in research who actually become respondents. Non-response occurs when you have selected a sample and some of them do not provide data, which can occur for all sorts of reasons, but most often through your inability to make contact or their refusal. Usually face-to-face surveys will have a non-response rate of around 25%, and postal surveys closer to 50%.