Research Methodology

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on Research Methodology (course outline, concepts, design, measurement, sampling, analysis, ethics, and publication).

Research Methodology

A systematic approach to conducting research, including design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and ethical considerations.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

Specific abilities students should demonstrate by the end of the course.

Foundations of Research

Core elements such as meaning, objectives, theory, empiricism, and the research process.

Theory

A framework or set of ideas that explains observations and predicts phenomena.

Empiricism

Knowledge gained through observation, experience, and evidence.

Deductive Reasoning

Reasoning that moves from general theory to specific predictions or hypotheses.

Inductive Reasoning

Reasoning that builds general conclusions from specific observations.

Concept

An abstract idea or notion used to frame research questions and variables.

Construct

A measurable concept formed for a study.

Definition

The precise meaning of a term as used in research.

Variable

A characteristic that can take on different values or categories.

Research Process

The sequence from problem formulation to dissemination of findings.

Research Problem

A clearly identified issue or question that the study intends to address.

Research Question

A specific question the study seeks to answer.

Investigation Question

A guiding question for the investigation, similar to the research question.

Hypothesis

A testable statement about relationships between variables.

Null Hypothesis

A statement of no effect or no relationship to be tested against.

Alternative Hypothesis

A statement that there is an effect or relationship.

Research Design

The plan for collecting and analyzing data to answer the research question.

Exploratory Research Design

Preliminary studies to explore a problem when little is known.

Descriptive Research Design

Studies that describe characteristics of a population or phenomenon.

Experimental Design

Design that tests causal hypotheses by manipulating an independent variable and observing effects on a dependent variable.

Independent Variable

The variable deliberately changed or controlled by the researcher.

Dependent Variable

The variable measured to assess the effect of the independent variable.

Qualitative Research

Non-numeric research aimed at understanding meanings, experiences, and concepts.

Quantitative Research

Numeric research using statistical analysis to test hypotheses.

Measurement

Process of assigning values to variables; involves validity and reliability and levels of measurement.

Validity

The accuracy of a measurement—whether it measures what it intends to measure.

Reliability

Consistency or repeatability of measurements.

Levels of Measurement

Nominal, Ordinal, Interval, and Ratio—types of data scales.

Population

The entire group of interest from which a sample is drawn.

Simple Random Sample

Every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected.

Systematic Sample

Selecting every kth member after a random start.

Stratified Random Sample

Dividing the population into strata and sampling from each stratum.

Multi-stage Sampling

Sampling conducted in multiple stages or levels.

Univariate Analysis

Analysis of a single variable using frequencies and simple descriptors.

Cross Tabulations

A method to examine relationships between two categorical variables.

Chi-Square Test

A statistical test to assess association between categorical variables.

Interpretation of Data

Drawing conclusions and explaining the implications of findings.

Layout of a Research Paper

Structure of a manuscript: sections, order, and formatting guidelines.

Impact Factor

A measure of journal prestige based on average citations per article.

Plagiarism

Using others’ ideas or words without proper attribution.

Self-Plagiarism

Reusing one’s own previous work without disclosure or citation.

AI Tools in Research

Artificial intelligence tools used for searching, analyzing, writing, and detecting plagiarism in research.

Reference Management Software

Tools to organize citations and bibliographies (e.g., Zotero, Mendeley, EndNote).