RESEARCH METHOD

Research Method



Research Method

Internal consistency

Internal consistency is the extent to which tests or procedures assess the same characteristic, skill or quality. It is a measure of the precision between the observers or of the measuring instruments used in a study. This type of reliability often helps researchers interpret data and predict the value of scores and the limits of the relationship among variables. For example, a researcher designs a questionnaire to find out about college students' dissatisfaction with a particular textbook. Analyzing the internal consistency of the survey items dealing with dissatisfaction will reveal the extent to which items on the questionnaire focus on the notion of dissatisfaction(Patten 2007).

Simple regression

The most commonly used form of regression is linear regression, and the most common type of linear regression is called ordinary least squares regression. Linear regression uses the values from an existing data set consisting of measurements of the values of two variables, X and Y, to develop a model that is useful for predicting the value of the dependent variable, Y for given values of X(Patten 2007).

Zero order correlation

What is the meaning of zero or near zero correlation? It means simply that two things vary separately. That is, when the magnitudes of one thing are high; the other's magnitudes are sometimes high, and sometimes low. It is through such uncorrelated variation--such independence of things--that we can sharply discriminate between phenomena. One is that the more distinct and unrelated the covariation, the greater the independence. Then, a zero correlation represents complete independence and -1.00 or 1.00 indicates complete dependence. Independence viewed in this way is called statistical independence. Two variables are then statistically independent if their correlation is zero(Patten 2007).

Logic model

Developing a logic model is a useful way to illustrate how a project's performance measures are related to its specific problems, goals and objectives, and design. OJJDP's grant solicitations include logic models that are specific to the grant program. Some solicitations have multiple logic models to address different activities or focus areas. OJJDP logic models are designed to help applicants select the most relevant performance measures for their program(Patten 2007).

Structural equation modeling (SEM)

Structural equation modeling (SEM) grows out of and serves purposes similar to multiple regression, but in a more powerful way which takes into account the modeling of interactions, nonlinearities, correlated independents, measurement error, correlated error terms, multiple latent independents each measured by multiple indicators, and one or more ...