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Details Title: Educational Research Description: created by a grad student for a class in which James H. McMillan's Educational Research: Fundamentals for the Consumer is the required text Total Flash Cards: 29 Created: 10/08/2006 16:06:40	To study from this set of flash cards, or to create your own your own study flash cards, register HERE. If you are already a registered user, CLICK HERE.
Cards Term Measurement Definition assignment of numbers to differentiate values of a variable Term Evaluation Definition procedures for collecting information and using it to make decisions for which some value is placed on the results Term Assessment Definition - multiple meanings a.Measurement of a variable b.Evaluation c.Diagnosis of individual difficulties d.Procedures to gather information on student performance Term Define the terms measurement, evaluation, and assessment. Differentiate one from the other Definition 1.Measurement: assignment of numbers to differentiate values of a variable 2.Evaluation: procedures for collecting information and using it to make decisions for which some value is placed on the results 3.Assessment - multiple meanings a.Measurement of a variable b.Evaluation c.Diagnosis of individual difficulties d.Procedures to gather information on student performance Term Identify two reasons why measurement is a critically important component of quantitative research. Definition 1.Obtain information about the variables being studied 2.Provide a standard format for recording observations, performances, or other responses of subjects 3.Provide for a quantitative summary of the results from many subjects Term Differentiate the four measurement scales and provide educationally relevant examples of each. Definition Nominal - categories ie: Race Gender Types of schools (e.g., public, private, parochial) Ordinal - ordered categories ie: Finishing position in a race Ranks in the military Grade levels Interval - equal intervals between numbers on the scale ie: Test scores Achievement levels Ratio - equal intervals and an absolute zero (0) ie: Height Weight Time Term Define the term descriptive statistics Definition statistical procedures that summarize a set of numbers in terms of central tendency, variation, or relationships Term Describe the characteristics of a frequency distribution Definition an organization of the data set indicating the number of times (i.e., frequency) each score was present Types of presentations: Frequency table Frequency polygon Histogram Shapes of distributions: Term Describe the characteristics of a normal distribution, a positively skewed distribution, and an negatively skewed distribution Definition Normal - a set of scores that are equally distributed around a middle score (i.e., the mean) Positively skewed - a set of scores characterized by a large number of low scores and a small number of high scores Negatively skewed - a set of scores characterized by a large number of high scores and a small number of low scores See Figure 6.2 Term Explain the concept of central tendency and describe the characteristics of the mode, median, and mean as measures of central tendency. Definition the typical score Mode: the most frequently occurring score Median: the score above and below which one-half of the scores occur Mean 1. The arithmetic average of all scores 2. Statistical properties make it very useful 3. Concerns related to outlying scores Term Explain the concept of variation and describe th characteristic of the range and standard deviation as measures of variation Definition how different are the scores Range: the difference between the highest and lowest scores Standard deviation: The average distance of the scores from the mean The relationship to the normal distribution ±1 SD 68% of all scores in a distribution ±2 SD 97% of all scores in a distribution Use of percentile ranks - the percentage of scores at or below a specified score See Figure 6.4 Term Explain the relationship between the standard deviation and the normal curve. Definition Standard deviation: The average distance of the scores from the mean The relationship to the normal distribution ±1 SD 68% of all scores in a distribution ±2 SD 97% of all scores in a distribution Use of percentile ranks - the percentage of scores at or below a specified score See Figure 6.4 Term Explain the concept of relationship and describe the characteristics of the correlation coefficient as a measure of relationship. Interpret correlation coefficients in terms of direction and strength. Definition Correlation A measure of the relationship between two variables Strength - 0.00 to 1.00 0.00 indicates no relationship and consequently no predictability 1.00 indicates perfect relationship and consequently perfect predictability Direction - positive (+) or negative (-) Positive: high and low scores on the first variable are related to high and low scores respectively on the second variable Negative: high and low scores on the first variable are related to low and high scores respectively on the second variable Scatterplots - visualizations of correlations See the following web site for an interactive scatterplot demonstrating varying levels of correlations Term Define validity as it relates to educational measures Definition Validity: the extent to which inferences are appropriate, meaningful, and useful Term identify five characteristics of validity Definition Refers to the interpretation of the results A matter of degree Specific to a particular use or interpretation A unitary concept Involves an overall evaluative judgment Term explain the effect of validity on research Definition 1. If the research results are to have any value, validity of the measurement of a variable must exist a. Use of established and "new" instruments and the implications for establishing validity b. Importance of establishing validity prior to data collection (e.g., pilot tests) 2. Validity as a matter of degree (i.e., the extent to which...) 3. Judged on the basis of available evidence 4. Varying levels of validity evidence are reported in articles Term Identify three sources of validity evidence and give an example of each. Definition 1. Test content - evidence of the extent to which items on a test are representative of the larger domain of content or items from which they are drawn 2. Internal structure - evidence of the extent to which the relationships between items and parts of the instrument are consistent with those reflected in the theoretical basis of the instrument or its intended use 3. Relationships with other variables - evidence of the extent to which scores from an instrument are related to similar as well as different traits a. Convergent evidence - scores correlate with measures of the same thing being measured b. Discriminate evidence - scores do not correlate with measures of something different than that being measured c. Predictability - the extent to which test scores predict performance on a criterion variable Term Define reliability of measurement as it relates to educational measures Definition the extent to which scores are free from error Term identify several sources of measurement error Definition (see Table 6.3, p. 138) 1.Test construction and administration (e.g., ambiguous questions, confusing directions, changes in scoring, interrupted testing, etc.) 2.Subject's characteristics (e.g., test anxiety, lack of motivation, fatigue, guessing, etc.) Term explain the effect of reliability of research Definition 1.If the results are to have any value, reliability of the measurement of a variable must exist a. Established prior to conducting the research (e.g., pilot study) b. Necessary but not sufficient condition for validity (i.e., to be valid, an instrument must be reliable, but a reliable instrument is not necessarily valid) 2. Conditions affecting reliability a. Length of the test (i.e., longer tests are typically more reliable) b. Subjects 1.Instruments used with heterogeneous samples typically have higher reliability than those used with homogeneous samples 2.Scores for older subjects are typically more reliable than those for younger children c. Trait being measured (i.e., cognitive traits are more reliable than affective characteristics) 3.Enhancing reliability a. Standardized administration procedures (e.g., directions, conditions, etc.) b. Appropriate reading level c. Reasonable length of the testing period d. Counterbalancing the order of testing if several tests are being given Term Identify five types of reliability estimates and give an example of each. Definition 1.Stability (i.e., test-retest) a. Testing the same subject using the same test on two occasions b. Limitation - carryover effects from the first to second administration of the test 2.Equivalence (i.e., parallel form) a. Testing the same subject with two parallel (i.e., equal) forms of the same test taken at the same time b. Limitation - difficulty in creating parallel forms 3.Equivalence and stability a. Testing the same subject with two forms of the same test taken at different times b. Limitation - difficulty in creating parallel forms 4.Internal consistency a. Testing the same subject with one test and "artificially" splitting the test into two halves b. Forms 1.KR 20 a) Dichotomously scored items (i.e., right or wrong) b) Typical of cognitive measures 2.Cronbach alpha a) Non-dichotomously scored items (e.g., strongly agree, agree, disagree, strongly disagree) b) Typical of non-cognitive measures c. Limitations - must have a minimum of ten (10) questions 5.Agreement a. Used when traditional estimates such as stability, equivalence, equivalence and stability, or internal consistency are not applicable b. Typically some form of agreement is used (e.g., raters agreeing with one another) c. Situations in which this estimate is used 1.Observational measures - agreement between raters making the same observation 2.Insufficient numbers of test items on an instrument - agreement across the percentage of responses that are the same for several subjects 3.Data with highly skewed distributions - percentage of agreement in the number of subjects Term Identify the conditions affecting reliability Definition 1.Length of the test (i.e., longer tests are typically more reliable) 2.Subjects a.Instruments used with heterogeneous samples typically have higher reliability than those used with homogeneous samples b.Scores for older subjects are typically more reliable than those for younger children 3.Trait being measured (i.e., cognitive traits are more reliable than affective characteristics) Term identify the ways by which reliability can be enhanced Definition 1.Standardized administration procedures (e.g., directions, conditions, etc.) 2.Appropriate reading level 3.Reasonable length of the testing period 4.Counterbalancing the order of testing if several tests are being given Term Explain the relationship between validity and reliability Definition reliability refers to the tool of measurement, validity refers not only to reliability of the measure, but to how the results are evaluated and how conclusions are drawn from the measurement; how well the study studies what it purports to study Term Explain the difference between cognitive and non-cognitive measures Definition Cognitive measures focus on what a person knows or is able to do mentally Non-cognitive measures focus on affective traits or characteristics (e.g, personality traits, attitudes, values, interests, preferences, etc.) Term explain the difference between commercial and locally developed measures Definition Commercially prepared measures are developed for widespread use with a focus on technical merit Locally prepared measures are developed by a researcher for specific situations with some, but not extensive, concern for technical characteristics Term Mode Definition the most frequently occurring score Term Median Definition the score above and below which one-half of the scores occur Term Mean Definition The arithmetic average of all scores