Glossary: Research

Qualitative research

A systematic approach to creating knowledge about how people interpret their surroundings, construct meaning, and interpret the meanings they construct. Qualitative research relies upon subtle and complex techniques of observation, recording data, and writing to develop an interpretive framework for analyzing and explaining why people do what they do and think what they think. Case study, observation, and ethnography are considered forms of qualitative research. Results are not usually considered generalizable, but are often transferable.

Quantitative research

Numerical data used to draw general conclusions across groups of people as a way of explaining particular behaviors or phenomena. It makes use of statistical, mathematical, and numerical analysis of empirical data collected using instruments such as questionnaires or through analyzing and manipulating pre-existing statistical data using computational techniques.

Quasi-experiment

A research design that resembles an experimental design but lacks one or more key elements of true experimentation, such as random assignment of participants to treatment conditions. Incorporates interpretation and transferability in order to compensate for lack of control of variables.

Questionnaire

Structured groups of questions used to gather information, attitudes, or opinions. Questionnaires can be either quantitative, including forced-choice questions, or qualitative, including open-ended questions.

Quixotic Reliability

Refers to the situation where a single manner of observation consistently, yet erroneously, yields the same result.