Glossary of Research Terms

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Qualitative research

An unstructured, exploratory research methodology based on small samples intended to provide insight and understanding for the problem setting.

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Quality control

The checking of field workers to see if the field procedures are being properly implemented.

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Quantitative research

A research methodology which seeks to quantify the data and, typically, applies some form of statistical analysis.

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Quasi-experimental design

An experimental design used when the research is unable to achieve full manipulation of scheduling or allocation of treatments to test units, but can still apply part of the apparatus of true experimentation; for example, time series and multiple time series designs.

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Questioning error

Error attributable to the interviewer asking the question incorrectly or not probing when more information is needed.

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Questionnaire

A formalized set of questions for obtaining information from respondents.

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Quota sampling

A nonprobability sampling technique consisting of two-stage restricted judgmental sampling.

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