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POS 301
Final exam vocab
53
Political Studies
Undergraduate 3
04/28/2009

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Term
Cluster Sample
Definition
A probability sample that is used when no list of elements exists. The sampling frame initially consists of clusters of elements.
Term
Confidence
Definition
The degree of belief that an estimated range of values-- more specifically, a high or low value-- includes or covers the population parameter.
Term
Convenience Sample
Definition
A nonprobability sample in which the selection of elements is determined by the researcher's convenience.
Term
Disproportionate Sample
Definition
A stratified sample in which elements sharing a characteristic are underrepresented or overrepresented in the sample.
Term
Element
Definition
A particular case or entity about which information is collected; the unit of analysis.
Term
Estimator
Definition
A statistic based on sample observations that is used to estimate the numerical value of an unknown population parameter.
Term
Expected Value
Definition
The mean or average value of a sample statistic based on repeated samples from a population.
Term
Nonprobability Sample
Definition
A sample for which each element in the total population has an unknown probability of being selected.
Term
Population
Definition
All the cases or observations covered by a hypothesis; all the units of analysis to which a hypothesis applies.
Term
Population Parameter
Definition
The incidence of a characteristic or an attribute in a population (not a sample).
Term
Probability Sample
Definition
A sample for which each element in the total population has a known probability of being selected.
Term
Proportionate Sample
Definition
A probability sample that draws elements from a stratified population at a rate proportional to the size of the samples.
Term
Purposive Sample
Definition
A nonprobability sample in which a researcher uses discretion in selecting elements for observation.
Term
Quota Sample
Definition
A nonprobability sample in which elements are sampled in proportion to their representation in the population.
Term
Random Digit Dialing
Definition
A procedure used to improve the representativeness of telephone samples by giving both listed and unlisted numbers a chance of selection.
Term
Sample
Definition
A subset of observations or cases drawn from a specified population.
Term
Random Start
Definition
Selection of a number at random to determine where to start selecting elements in a systematic sample.
Term
Sample Bias
Definition
The bias that occurs whenever some elements of a population are systematically excluded from a sample. It is usually do to an incomplete sampling frame or a nonprobability method of selecting elements.
Term
Sample Statistic
Definition
The estimator of a population characteristicor attribute that is calculated from sample data.
Term
Sampling Distribution
Definition
A theoretical (nonobserved) distribution of sample statistics calculated on samples of size N that, if known, permits the calculation of confidence intervals and the test of statistical hypotheses.
Term
Sampling Error
Definition
The difference between a sample element and a corresponding population parameter that arises because only a portion of a population is observed.
Term
Sampling Fraction
Definition
The proportion of the population included in a sample.
Term
Sampling Frame
Definition
The population from which a sample is drawn. Ideally it is the same as the total population of interest to a study.
Term
Sampling Interval
Definition
The number of elements in a sampling frame divided by the desired sample size.
Term
Sampling Unit
Definition
The entity listed in a sampling frame. It may be the same as an element, or it may be a group or a cluster of elements.
Term
Simple Random Sample
Definition
A probability sample in which each element has an equal chance of being selected.
Term
Snowball Sample
Definition
A sample in which respondents are asked to identify additional members of a population.
Term
Standard Error
Definition
The standard deviation or measure of variability or dispersion of a sampling distribution.
Term
Statistical Inference
Definition
The mathematical theory and techniques for making conjectures about the unknown characteristics (parameters) of populations based on samples.
Term
Stratified Sample
Definition
A probability sample in which elements sharing one or more characteristics are grouped, and elements are selected from each group in proportion to the group's representation in the total population.
Term
Stratum
Definition
A subgroup of a population that shares one or more characteristics.
Term
Systematic Sample
Definition
A probability sample in which elements are selected from a list at predetermined intervals.
Term
Weighting Factor
Definition
A mathematical factor used to make a disproportionate sample representative.
Term
Accretion Measures
Definition
Measures of phenomena through indirect observation of the accumulation of materials.
Term
Covert Observation
Definition
Observation in which the observer's presence or purpose is kept secret from those being observed.
Term
Direct Observation
Definition
Actual observation of behavior.
Term
Erosion measures
Definition
measures of phenomena through indirect observation of selective wear of some material.
Term
Field Study
Definition
Observation in a natural setting.
Term
Indirect Observation
Definition
Observation of physical traces of behavior.
Term
Informant
Definition
Person who helps a researcher employing participant observation methods interpret the activities and behavior of the informant and the group to which the informant belongs.
Term
Informed Consent
Definition
Procedures that inform potential research subjects about the proposed research in which they are being asked to participate. the principle that researchers must obtain the freely given consent of human subjects before they participate in a research project.
Term
Institutional Review Board
Definition
panel to which researchers must submit descriptions of proposed research involving human subjects for the purpose of ethics review.
Term
Overt Observation
Definition
Observation in which those being observed are informed of the observer's presence and purpose.
Term
Participant Observation
Definition
Observation in which the observer becomes a regular participant in the activities of those being observed.
Term
Primary Data
Definition
Data recorded and used by the researcher who is making the observations.
Term
Secondary Data
Definition
Data used by a researcher that was not personally collected by the researcher.
Term
Structured Observation
Definition
Systematic observation and recording of the incidence of specific behaviors.
Term
Unstructured Observation
Definition
Observation in which all behavior and activities are recorded.
Term
Content Analysis
Definition
A procedure by which verbal, nonquantitative records are transformed into quantitative data.
Term
Episodic Record
Definition
the portion of the written record that is not part of a regular, ongoing record-keeping enterprise.
Term
Intercoder Reliability
Definition
Demonstration that multiple analysts, following the same content analysis procedure, agree and obtain the same measurements.
Term
Running Record
Definition
The portion of the written record that is enduring and covers an extensive period of time.
Term
Written Record
Definition
Documents, reports, statistics, manuscripts, and other recorded materials available and useful for empirical research.
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