Kumar-2011-Research-Methodology_-A-Step-by-Step-Guide-for-Beginners

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Glossary
Alternate hypothesis: The formulation of an alternate hypothesis is a convention in scientific
circles. Its main function is to specify explicitly the relationship that will be considered
as true in case the research hypothesis proves to be wrong. In a way, an alternate hypothesis is
the opposite of the research hypothesis.
Ambiguous question: An ambiguous question is one that contains more than one meaning
and that can be interpreted differently by different respondents.
Applied research: Most research in the social sciences is applied in nature. Applied research
is one where research techniques, procedures and methods that form the body of research
methodology are applied to collect information about various aspects of a situation, issue,
problem or phenomenon so that the information gathered can be utilised for other purposes
such as policy formulation, programme development, programme modification and evaluation,
enhancement of the understanding about a phenomenon, establishing causality and
outcomes, identifying needs and developing strategies.
Area chart: For variables measured on an interval or a ratio scale, information about the subcategories
of a variable can also be presented in the form of an area chart. It is plotted in the
same way as a line diagram with the area under each line shaded to highlight the magnitude of
the subcategory in relation to other subcategories. Thus an area chart displays the area under
the curve in relation to the subcategories of a variable.
Attitudinal scales: Those scales that are designed to measure attitudes towards an issue are
called attitudinal scales. In the social sciences there are three types of scale: the summated rating
scale (Likert scale), the equal-appearing interval scale (Thurstone scale) and the cumulative
scale (Guttman scale).
Attitudinal score: A number that you calculate having assigned a numerical value to the
response given by a respondent to an attitudinal statement or question. Different attitude
scales have different ways of calculating the attitudinal score.
Attitudinal value: An attitudinal scale comprises many statements reflecting attitudes towards
an issue. The extent to which each statement reflects this attitude varies from statement to
statement. Some statements are more important in determining the attitude than others. The
attitudinal value of a statement refers to the weight calculated or given to a statement to reflect
its significance in reflecting the attitude: the greater the significance or extent, the greater the
attitudinal value or weight.
Attribute variables: Those variables that cannot be manipulated, changed or controlled, and that
reflect the characteristics of the study population. For example, age, gender, education and income.
Bar chart: The bar chart or diagram is one of the ways of graphically displaying categorical
data. A bar chart is identical to a histogram, except that in a bar chart the rectangles representing