| Term | Definition |
|---|
| category system | 1) in studies involving observation, prespecified plan for recording behaviors and events under observation; 2) in qualitative studies, system used to sort and organize data |
| checklist | tools based on category systems for recording appearance, frequency, or duration of prespecified behaviors or events |
| closed-ended questions | question that offers respondents a set of mutually exclusive response options |
| critical incidents techniques | method of obtaining data from study participants by in-depth exploration of specific incidents and behaviors related to topic under study |
| field notes | notes taken by researchers to record unstructured observations made in field, and interpretation of those observations |
| focus group interview | interview with group of individuals assembled to answer questions on given topic |
| grand tour question | broad question asked in unstructured interview to gain general overview of phenomenon, on basis of which more focused questions are subsequently asked |
| instrument | device used to collect data (eg questionnaire, test, observation schedule) |
| interview schedule | formal instrument that specifies wording of all questions to be asked of respondents in structured self-report studies |
| item | single question on instrument, or single statement on scale |
| life history | narrative self-report about person's life experiences vis-a-vis theme of interest |
| Likert scale | composite measure of attribute involving summation of scores on set of items that respondents typically rate for their degree of agreement or disagreement |
| log | in participant observation studies, observer's daily record of events and conversations |
| observational methods | include both structured and unstructured procedures; techniques for acquiring data through direct observation of phenomena |
| open-ended question | question in interview or questionnaire that does not restrict respondents' answers to preestablished response alternatives |
| Q sort | data collection method in which participants sort statements into piles (usually 9 or 11) according to some bipolar dimension (eg most helpful/least helpful) |
| rating scale | scale that requires ratings of object or concept along continuum |
| reactivity | measurement distortion arising from study participant's awareness of being observed, or, more generally, from effect of measurement procedure itself |
| response alternatives | may range from simple yes or no to complex expressions of opinions in closed-ended questions |
| response set bias | measurement error resulting from tendency of some individuals to respond to items in characteristic ways (eg always agreeing), independently of item content |
| scale | composite measure of attribute, involving combination of several related items, resulting in assignment of score to place ppl on continuum with respect to attribute |
| self-report | data collection method that involves direct verbal report by person being studied (eg by interview or questionnaire) |
| semantic differential | technique used to measure attitudes in which respondents rate concepts of interest on series of bipolar rating scales |
| semi-structured interview | open ended interview in which researcher is guided by list of specific topics to cover |
| summated rating scale | aka Likert rating scale |
| think aloud method | qualititive method used to collect data about cognitive processes (eg decision making) in which ppl's reflections on decisions or problem-solving are captured as they are being made |
| topic guide | list of broad question areas to be covered in semistructured interview or focus group interview |
| unstructured interview | interview in which researcher asks respondents questions without having predetermined plan regarding content or flow of info to be gathered |
| vignette | brief description of event, person, or situation to which respondents are asked to express their reactions |
| visual analog scale | scaling procedure used to measure certain clinical symptoms (eg pain, fatigue) by having ppl indicate on straight line intensity of symptom |
Combine with other sets
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