Nature, Purposes, and Processes of Research

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the nature, types, phases, and essential characteristics of research as presented in the lecture notes.

Research

A process of steps used to collect and analyze information to increase our understanding of a topic or issue (Creswell & Creswell, 2018).

Systematic

A characteristic of research where it is anchored in the scientific method and follows an organized procedure rather than random guessing.

Empirical

A characteristic of research that relies on observable evidence and sensory experience, supporting John Locke's tabula rasa or 'blank slate.'

Logical

A characteristic of research guided by reason, coherent analysis, and factual information rather than personal viewpoints or assumptions.

Replicable

A characteristic of research where another researcher can repeat the same procedures under similar conditions and obtain comparable results.

Basic Research

Research that aims to expand theoretical knowledge without immediate application or being directly involved in solving a pragmatic problem.

Applied Research

Research that seeks practical solutions to immediate societal problems and focuses on answering real-world questions to provide immediate solutions.

Descriptive Research

Research aiming to give a verbal portrayal or picture of a person, thing, event, group, or situation; often limited to a certain period.

Correlational Research

Research that shows the relationships or connectedness of two factors or agents without focusing on causes or ways of development.

Explanatory Research

Research concerned with assessing the relations between variables and the reasons behind behaviors, such as identifying mediating roles in youth vaping.

Exploratory Research

Research that determines the nature of a problem for better understanding without intending to offer final or conclusive solutions.

Action Research

Research that studies the ongoing practice of a school, organization, or community to obtain results that will improve the system.

Quantitative Research

Research concerned with objective meaning and the measurement of data, presenting results in numerical forms subject to statistical analysis.

Qualitative Research

Research concerned with subjective meaning, focusing on people's thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and lifestyles expressed through verbal language.

Inception

The stage where ideas begin to form, driven by human curiosity.

Invention

The stage where ideas are developed into something tangible or useful.

Innovation

The stage where products derived from ideas are being improved over time.

Phase 1: Conceptualization

The research phase involving formulating the problem, reviewing literature, developing frameworks, and formulating hypotheses.

Phase 2: Design and Planning

The research phase where the design, methodology, population, locale, and data collection methods are identified.

Phase 3: Empirical Phase

The research phase dedicated to the actual data collection.

Phase 4: Analytic Phase

The research phase involving data analysis, interpretation of responses, and writing the final research report.

Phase 5: Dissemination

The final research phase focused on disseminating the research findings.

Research Problem

The foundation of a study that determines the purpose, design, methodology, scope, and significance (Leedy and Ormrod, 2021).

Relevance

A characteristic of a good research problem where it addresses actual concerns, social realities, or gaps in existing knowledge (Mertens, 2020).

Originality

A characteristic defined by Neuman (2014) as contributing a new perspective, context, method, or population rather than repeating previous work.

Ethics

The principle ensuring research respects participants' dignity, rights, welfare, confidentiality, and informed consent.

Feasibility

The determination of whether a study can be realistically conducted and completed within limitations like time and resources (Leedy & Ormrod, 2021).

Researchability

A characteristic meaning the topic is answerable through observable evidence and systematic inquiry using the scientific method.

Research Gap

An area, issue, population, variable, or context that has not been sufficiently explored or addressed in literature (Creswell & Creswell, 2018).

CER Model

The Claim-Evidence-Reasoning model used to construct evidence-based arguments to justify a research direction.

Claim

The part of the CER model representing the proposed research direction.

Evidence

The part of the CER model where supporting data, observations, literature, or contextual information is presented.

Reasoning

The part of the CER model that explains how the evidence supports the proposed study.