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Glossary

Analysis

An analysis in a literature review refers to a thoughtful and organized exploration of a study’s insights, contributions, and significance to the broader academic field. It involves drawing connections between sources, interpreting patterns, and identifying implications rather than just reporting what each article says.

Boolean Operators

Boolean operators are specific words—AND, OR, and NOT—used in database searches to expand or refine search results.

AND narrows a search by including only results that contain all specified terms.
OR broadens a search to include results with any of the specified terms.

NOT excludes results containing the specified term.
These operators help researchers strategically navigate databases to find the most relevant scholarly sources.

Conceptual Framework

A visual or written explanation that shows how the key concepts in a study are connected.

Control Variable

In quantitative research, a variable that the researcher intentionally keeps constant to prevent it from influencing the relationship between independent and dependent variables (Creswell & Creswell, 2018).

Convergent Parallel

A mixed methods approach where you collect quantitative data (like surveys) and qualitative data (like interviews) at the same time, analyze them separately, and then compare or combine the results to get a fuller understanding.

Delimitation

The intentional boundaries or limits set by the researcher to narrow the scope of the study, such as focusing on a specific population, context, or set of variables, making the project manageable and aligned with its purpose (Creswell & Poth, 2018).

Dependent Variable

The outcome or result that is measured in a study. It is the variable that researchers observe and assess to determine the effect of the independent variable. The dependent variable depends on the changes made to the independent variable. (Creswell & Creswell, 2018; Fraenkel, et al., 2019)

Descriptive Variable

In descriptive research, a variable that is measured or observed to describe characteristics or attributes of a population without seeking causal or correlational relationships (Creswell & Creswell, 2018).

Embedded Design

A mixed methods approach where one type of data (qualitative or quantitative) is collected inside a larger study of the opposite type. For example, a researcher might add a few interviews to a big survey to give more context to the numbers.

Explanatory Sequential

A mixed methods approach where you begin with quantitative data (such as surveys or test scores) and then follow up with qualitative data (such as interviews) to help explain or add meaning to the numbers.

Exploratory Sequential

A mixed methods approach where you begin with qualitative data (such as interviews or focus groups) to identify themes, and then follow up with quantitative data (such as surveys) to test or expand on those themes.

External Validity

The degree to which the results of a study can be generalized beyond the specific context or sample to other populations, settings, or times (Fraenkel, et al., 2019).

Extraneous Variable

Any variable not intentionally studied but that could still affect the dependent variable if not controlled, potentially introducing noise or error into the findings (Patton, 2015).

Fair Sampling

Fair sampling, refers to the assumption that the data collected is representative of the entire population being studied. In simpler terms, it means the sample accurately reflects the characteristics of the larger group it's drawn from.

Gap

A gap in the literature refers to an area or perspective that has not been thoroughly researched or addressed in existing scholarship. Identifying gaps allows researchers to position their own studies as contributing new insights or addressing overlooked populations, settings, or frameworks.

Hypothesis

In quantitative research, a clear, testable statement predicting an expected relationship or difference between variables, typically derived from theory and prior evidence (Creswell & Creswell, 2018).

Independent Variable

An independent variable is the variable that a researcher manipulates or categorizes to examine its effect on another variable. It represents the cause in a cause-and-effect relationship. In experimental research, the independent variable is deliberately changed to observe how it influences the outcome. (Creswell & Creswell, 2018; Fraenkel, Wallen, & Hyun, 2019)

Internal Validity

The extent to which a study demonstrates a clear causal relationship between variables, free from other influencing factors or bias. Strong internal validity ensures that observed effects are due to the independent variable and not other influences (Gall, et al., 2007).

Limitation

Constraints or weaknesses of the study that are outside the researcher’s control, such as small sample size or reliance on self-reported data, which may affect the generalizability or interpretation of the results (Patton, 2015; Mertens, 2020).

Literature Review

A literature review is a curated and critically analyzed collection of scholarly sources that addresses a single research topic. It demonstrates familiarity with existing research, identifies themes and gaps, and situates the researcher’s work within the academic conversation. A strong literature review includes both summary and analysis.

Methodological Triangulation

A strategy used to enhance the credibility and validity of research findings by collecting data through multiple methods (e.g., interviews, observations, and surveys) to cross-check and confirm results (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2018; Denzin & Lincoln, 2018).

Mixed Methods Research

A methodology that combines both qualitative and quantitative research techniques within a single study to provide a more comprehensive understanding of a research problem. It allows for the integration of numeric trends and rich contextual insights (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2018).

Multiphase Design

A mixed methods approach that uses several stages of data collection and analysis over time, sometimes combining different methods at different points. For example, a researcher might run a survey, then follow with interviews, and later do another survey to see how things have changed.

Null Hypothesis

A statement in quantitative research asserting that there is no relationship or difference between variables, used as a basis for statistical testing (Creswell & Creswell, 2018).

Peer-Reviewed Journal

A peer-reviewed journal is a scholarly publication in which each article is evaluated by experts in the field before publication. These reviewers assess the rigor of the methodology, the relevance of the scholarship, and the contribution to the field. Peer-reviewed journals are considered the gold standard for academic sources in a literature review.

Purposive Sample

Purposive sampling is a non-probability sampling technique where researchers intentionally select participants based on specific characteristics or qualities relevant to the research question. This method focuses on choosing individuals who can provide the most informative data and insights, rather than aiming for a broad representation of the entire population.

Qualitative Research

A method of inquiry focused on exploring meaning, experiences, and understanding through narrative data. It is inductive, flexible, and rooted in the context and perspectives of participants (Creswell & Poth, 2018; Merriam & Tisdell, 2016; Patton, 2015).

Quantitative Research

A systematic investigation that relies on numerical data, structured tools, and statistical analysis to test hypotheses, identify patterns, and generalize findings (Fraenkel et al., 2019; Creswell & Creswell, 2018).

Research Question

In qualitative research, open-ended, exploratory questions designed to guide the investigation of meaning, experience, or process related to the research problem (Creswell & Poth, 2018).

Summary

A summary is a concise representation of the main points, ideas, or arguments presented in a scholarly source. In the context of a literature review, it reflects the essential premises of a study or article, capturing the core contributions of the work without interpretation or judgment.

T-test

A t-test is a statistical test used to compare the means of two groups and determine if there's a statistically significant difference between them. It's primarily used when the population standard deviation is unknown and the sample size is small (typically less than 30).

Theme

A theme is a meaningful pattern or thread that emerges from analyzing multiple scholarly sources. A theme reflects deeper conceptual connections such as the use of similar theoretical frameworks or research findings that support a particular theory or hypothesis.

Theoretical Framework

A formal theory or model drawn from scholarly literature used to explain and interpret the relationships between variables in a quantitative study, providing a lens for analysis (Creswell & Creswell, 2018; Patton, 2015).

Theoretical Perspective

The broad philosophical or worldview stance that underpins a qualitative study, shaping how the researcher understands reality and approaches knowledge (Lincoln & Guba, 1985; Mertens, 2020).

Validated Survey Instrument

A data collection tool that has been tested for reliability and validity, ensuring it accurately measures what it claims to measure. Use of validated instruments supports research quality and enhances generalizability (Fraenkel et al., 2019).

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Crafting the Dissertation Copyright © by Dr. Martin and Dr. Nichole LaGrow is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.