Research Methodology Final Exam Notes - Vocabulary Flashcards (B22)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts pulled from the lecture notes on research methodology and proposal development.

Research

An investigation to answer questions using a predefined set of procedures to collect evidence.

Methodology

The system of methods and procedures used to conduct research including design, data collection, and analysis.

Evidence

Data or facts used to support conclusions in research.

Sampling representativeness

A sampling process that ensures different groups in the population are represented; poor representativeness biases results.

Bias

Systematic error that distorts results due to design, sampling, or measurement.

Triangulation

Using multiple methods or data sources to verify findings and increase validity.

Relevance

The degree to which a topic is pertinent and appropriate to the problem and context.

Avoidance of duplication

Ensuring the topic has not been covered before to prevent redundancy.

Importance and urgency

A criterion for prioritizing problems based on significance and timeliness.

Feasibility

The practicality of carrying out a study given time, funds, materials, and resources.

Internal criteria

Factors considered within the project or researcher when prioritizing topics like relevance and duplication.

External criteria

Factors considered outside the project for prioritization such as community relevance and data availability.

Step 3 in proposal

The stage where objectives are formed for the study.

Objectives

Statements of the aims or goals that the study intends to achieve.

Specific objectives

Precise, measurable aims derived from the general objectives.

Action verbs

Verbs that express observable, measurable actions used in objectives (eg identify, compare, determine).

Non-action verbs

Verbs that do not express observable actions and should be avoided in objectives (eg appreciate).

What, Why, Who

Key questions addressed by objectives: what to study, why it matters, who is involved.

Where

A location related component that is often not included in core objectives.

Focus Group Discussion (FGD)

A guided group interview used to gather qualitative data from a small group.

Optimal FGD size

Typically 5 to 7 participants for focused group discussions.

Title specificity

A title should reflect specific aims and key parameters of the study.

Time specificity

Including a time frame or period in the title or description of the study.

Place specificity

Indicating the location or setting in the title or scope of the study.

People specificity

Avoiding person specific titles; research should generally be generalizable rather than about individuals.

Study area

The geographic or field setting where the study is conducted.

Study instruments

Tools or devices used to collect data (eg questionnaires, interviews, sensors).

Sampling techniques

Methods for selecting study participants (random, systematic, purposive, etc.).

Cross-sectional

A study design that measures exposure and outcome at a single point in time; yields prevalence data.

Prevalence study

A study focusing on the proportion of individuals with a condition at a given time.

Prospective cohort

A cohort study that follows participants forward in time to observe outcomes.

Case-control

An observational study starting with outcomes and looking backward to assess exposures; efficient for rare diseases.

Incidence rate

The rate at which new cases occur in a population over a period of time.

Association

A relationship between two variables such as exposure and disease.

Estimation objective

Objectives aimed at estimating quantities like incidence or prevalence.

Evaluation objective

Objectives aimed at assessing the effectiveness or impact of an intervention.

Vancouver referencing

A numeric citation style where references are numbered sequentially in text.

Journal article

A scholarly article published in a peer reviewed journal.

Book

A published book used as a reference source.

Plagiarism

Using others ideas or words without proper attribution and citation.

Quotation vs summarizing

Quoting uses exact words with quotation marks; summarizing requires attribution even when paraphrased.

Justification

The explanation of why the research problem is important; the rationale for the study.

Introduction

The opening section of a proposal presenting background and rationale.

Background

Context or prior information that situates the research topic.

Problem statement

A clear, concise description of the issue the research aims to address.