Accuracy

A term used in survey research to refer to the match between the target

population and the sample.

Apparency

Clear, understandable representation of the data

Case Study

The collection and presentation of detailed information about a particular participant or small group, frequently including the accounts of subjects themselves.

Confirmability

Objectivity; the findings of the study could be confirmed by another person conducting the same study

Confidence Interval

The range around a numeric statistical value obtained from a sample, within

which the actual, corresponding value for the population is likely to fall, at a

given level of probability (Alreck, 444).

Confidence Level

The specific probability of obtaining some result from a sample if it did not

exist in the population as a whole, at or below which the relationship will be

regarded as statistically significant (Alreck, 444).

Construct Validity

Seeks an agreement between a theoretical concept and a specific measuring

device, such as observation.

Context sensitivity

 Awareness by a qualitative researcher of factors such as values and beliefs that

influence cultural behaviors

Control Group

A group in an experiment that receives not treatment in order to compare the

treated group against a norm.

Data

Recorded observations, usually in numeric or textual form

Dependability

Being able to account for changes in the design of the study and the changing

conditions surrounding what was studied.

A quality of an observational study that allows researchers to pursue inquiries

on new topics or questions that emerge from initial research

Deviation

The distance between the mean and a particular data point in a

given distribution.

Variable

A variable that is measured solely in whole units, e.g., gender and

siblings

Distribution

The range of values of a particular variable.

Electronic Text

A "paper" or linear text that has been essentially "copied" into an electronic

medium.

Generalizability

Generalizability

The extent to which research findings and conclusions from a study conducted

on a sample population can be applied to the population at large.

Hypertext

Internal Consistency

The extent to which all questions or items assess the same characteristic, skill,

or quality.

Kinesics