Glossary: Research

Narrative Inquiry

A qualitative research approach based on a researcher's narrative account of the investigation, not to be confused with a narrative examined by the researcher as data.

Naturalistic Inquiry

Observational research of a group in its natural setting rather than in experimental contexts that involve manipulation of variables or other types of interference.

Node

A qualitative data analysis technique used to identify and categorize recurring themes, concepts, or patterns within a dataset. In hypertext, each unit of information, connected by links.

Nominal Variable

A variable determined by categories which cannot be ordered by number, e.g., gender and color.

Norm

The norm in statistics is the average or usual performance. For example, students usually complete their high school graduation requirements when they are 18 years old. Even though some students graduate when they are younger or older, the norm is that any given student will graduate when he or she is 18 years old.

Normal distribution

A normal frequency distribution representing the probability that a majority of randomly selected members of a population will fall within the middle of the distribution, represented by the bell curve.

Null Hypothesis

A statement or assumption that there is no effect, no difference, or no relationship between variables in the population being studied. The proposition, to be tested statistically, that the experimental intervention has "no effect," meaning that the treatment and control groups will not differ as a result of the intervention. Investigators usually hope that the data will demonstrate some effect from the intervention, thus allowing the investigator to reject the null hypothesis.