Glossary

Sample

The group of subjects from which data is collected. In other words, the group of people who participate in the study and whose data is used by the researcher.

"Silver Standard" (Promising research)

Examines the relationship between the program or practice on student achievement but cannot determine the cause, or controls everything except the assignment of groups (random assignment) or other aspects of the study.

Silver Standard (Promising rsearch)

Examines the relationship between the program or practice on student achievement but cannot determine the cause, or controls everything except the assignment of groups (random assignment) or other aspects of the study.

Statistical significance

A research term used to indicate whether results from a study are very probably not due to chance. For example' a study reports that it found that student test scores improved after a reading intervention program was initiated at a school, and that these findings are "statistically significant." That means that researcher is reasonably certain that student test scores did actually improve over time. If research findings are not statically significant, any increases reported may be due to chance rather than a result of the intervention.

Systematic methods

Data collection methods that are consistent and scientific-i.e. that follow the scientific method-used for collecting observations.

Theory

A set of propositions that are interrelated in an ordered fashion such that some may be deductible from others, thus permitting an explanation to be developed for the phenomenon under consideration. The theory provides the organization of a research project, determines the use of methods and the interpretation of the results.

Theoretically based studies

Theoretically based studies examine the theoretical basis for a program or practice. Such studies answer the questions: What is the theory behind this program or practice? What are the theory's guiding principles? What does the theory explain?

Validity

The degree to which a test measures what it is intended to measure. The test is valid for a particular purpose or group. It doesn't directly refer to the strength of the conclusions.