Understanding Research: An Introduction to Reading Practice Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the introductory concepts, paradigms, styles, sampling methods, and ethical principles of research as detailed in Chapters 1-3 of the lecture notes.

Research

A process of systematic inquiry, with the purpose of gaining more insight, which draws on empirical evidence.

Empirical research

Research that collects, analyses, and draws conclusions from data.

Conceptual or theoretical research

Research that summarises and critically examines the findings from other studies to push understanding through linking abstract ideas.

Quantitative data

Data that can be counted or expressed numerically.

Qualitative data

Verbal, textual, or visual data that cannot be counted.

Scientific method

A method or procedure consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses.

Hypothesis

A tentative (uncertain) and testable explanation for a natural or social phenomenon.

Pure research

Research done to extend the boundaries of knowledge in a particular discipline or field; also called "blue sky" research.

Applied research

Research done to provide answers to very specific real-world problems outside of the discipline or field of study.

Abstract

A summary of the main points made in an article, usually about $200$ words long, containing the purpose, methods, results, and conclusions.

Literature review

A discussion of previous research in a field that shows how a new study fits into the context of existing theories and studies.

Plagiarism

The act of using text written by others without clearly indicating it is a quote; also known as "intellectual theft."

Paradigm

A particular worldview that defines for researchers what is acceptable to research and how it should be conducted.

Postpositivism

A paradigm that aims to describe, control, and predict the world while rejecting the claim that truth can be known completely, often trying to falsify hypotheses.

Causal relationship

A relationship that exists between matters when one occurrence is the cause of another occurrence.

Generalisable

Means that the findings of one study can be applied more generally to similar groups or in other contexts.

Naturalistic setting

A real-world context in which research is conducted, such as a classroom, school, or organization.

Interpretivism

A paradigm whose purpose is to describe and understand how people make sense of their worlds and the meaning of their specific actions.

Critical paradigm

An orientation to research that sees reality as shaped by power dynamics and aims to critique, emancipate, and transform the social world.

Dialectic method

A method where researchers play two different perspectives out against each other to reach a deeper understanding of a phenomenon.

Research design

A plan of how the researcher will systematically collect and analyse the data needed to answer the research question.

Case study

A systematic and in-depth study of one particular case, such as a person, group, school, or community, in its context.

Ethnographic research

A style of research that describes the observable and learned patterns of behavior, customs, and ways of life of a culture-sharing group.

Action research

Research conducted by practitioners (like teachers) on their own practice to increase self-awareness and change a situation for the better.

Participatory research

A change-generating style of research where participants are co-researchers actively involved in identifying, investigating, and solving a problem.

Pilot study

A preliminary stage where research instruments are trialled with people similar to the actual study participants.

Quasi-experimental design

An experimental research style where participants are not randomly assigned to groups, but the effect of an intervention is still detected and measured.

Correlational studies

Studies that investigate how strongly different factors and outcomes relate to each other, typically using quantitative data.

Random sampling

A method where every member of the population has an equal chance of being included in the sample.

Purposive sampling

A method where the researcher makes specific, targeted choices about which people or groups to include based on a particular purpose.

Stratified sampling

A method used when the population consists of subgroups that may have different opinions, ensuring the sample includes representatives from each subgroup.

Autonomy

An ethical principle meaning the researcher must respect participants' right to consent voluntarily and withdraw from a study at any time.

Non-maleficence

The ethical principle of "do no harm" to research participants or other people.

Beneficence

The ethical principle that research must be beneficial, either to the participants directly or to society at large.