PASS 1009CCJ DEFINITIONS

Indicates that a measure appears to measure the concept it is designed to measure

Research type used to identify causal relationships between variables

Sampling method where every person has an equal chance of being selected

Variables that also use numerical measurement, but the numerical measurement is not restricted to whole numbers

Written or electronic survey instruments that respondents fill out themselves

Convenience sampling, Quota sampling & Purposive sampling

Involves the researcher directly interacting with the survey participant during the data collection process

An approach to gather qualitative data that entails the researcher going into the field to observe and participate

Theory, Hypotheses, Research Design, Observation, Analysis and Findings, Empirical Generalisations 

Selecting a sample so that some members of the population have a higher chance of being drawn into the sample

Starting with a theory to guide research and ending with observation

Nominal/categorical, Ordinal, Ratio and Interval

The what, or who that is being studied and analyzed for a particular piece of research

Established when a measure corresponds to existing measures

A set of interrelated propositions, assumptions and definitions about a phenomenon

Starting with an observation to guide research and ending with a theory 

Occurs when a researcher applies conclusions based upon research using an individual unit of analysis to a group

Provides explanations about a topic and builds on knowledge gained from exploratory and descriptive research.

The total number of people who could be included in a particular survey

Creates a deeper understanding of a topic that was previously unknown

A way to work out the 24 hour rhythm of crime when the exact timing of many crimes is unknown

Identify overarching categories or themes from the summarized codes

Related to the generalizability of the experimental findings to other people in other situations and environments

A type of numerical data using deductive reasoning 

A research methodology used to identify spatiotemporal patterns in crime data

A testable statement about the relationship between variables

Norms for behaviour that distinguish what is and what is not acceptable

The gold standard of experimental designs/research

Label for the observable and measurable counterparts of concepts

The process of deciding how you will measure each concept

Variables measured using whole numbers only

The individual pieces of information gathered and later analyzed to answer a research question

The process of defining what is meant by a particular concept

Conducting spatial analysis on crime data to understand where and when crime occurred

Presents the overall state of the topic literature and identifies gaps in current knowledge 

Attributes or response categories that have no particular order

Has all the characteristics of interval measures but also has a non-arbitrary zero (no negative numbers)

Variables that influence or cause the variation in the dependent variable

Researchers attach simple, descriptive concepts to observed data

A type of non-numerical data that often uses inductive reasoning 

The notion that repeated experiments by others under the same conditions should result in consistent findings

An evaluation occurring in the formative/earlier stages of the development of or modification of a policy or program

Clusters of crime

Type of independent variable that is not focus of the research, but helps us isolate the role of independent variables

An apparent relationship between independent and dependent variables, when in fact they are not related

Describes what occurs, or how things happen

Method of choosing a smaller, representative group with which to conduct research instead of the whole population