PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2 – Lesson 1 & 2: Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on practical and quantitative research methods.

Reiterate

to say something again or a number of times, typically for emphasis or clarity.

Synthesis

the combination of ideas to form a theory or system.

Increment

an increase or addition, especially one of a series on a fixed scale.

Research

a careful and detailed study into a specific problem using the scientific method; a systematic effort to gain new knowledge.

Systematic

a definite set of procedures and steps that you will follow.

Organized

a structure or method in doing research.

Finding Answers

the end goal or outcome of research.

Questions

central to research; questions guide inquiry.

Research Paper

a piece of academic writing that provides analysis, interpretation, and argument based on in-depth independent research.

Abstract

a short, self-contained summary of completed research describing the work briefly and clearly.

Introduction

opens the paper after the title and abstract; leads from a general subject to a specific topic and sets the scope and significance.

Literature Review

an overview of explored sources showing how the research fits within a wider field and identifying gaps in existing knowledge.

Hypothesis

a stated expectation or prediction that will be tested by the research; plural: hypotheses.

Methodology

systematic methods to resolve a research problem, including data gathering, interpretation, and drawing conclusions.

Population

the entire group about which conclusions are to be drawn.

Sample

a smaller part or subgroup of the population selected for data collection.

Necessity (Reason for Sampling)

sampling is necessary when the whole population cannot be studied due to size or inaccessibility.

Practicality (Reason for Sampling)

sampling is easier and more efficient than studying the entire population.

Cost-effectiveness (Reason for Sampling)

fewer participants and resources needed when sampling.

Manageability (Reason for Sampling)

smaller datasets are easier to store, analyze, and manage.

Respondents

people who answer questionnaires; typically in quantitative research.

Participants

people who participate in qualitative studies (e.g., interviews) and often provide detailed answers.

Subjects

people involved in an experiment; typically in quantitative research.

Variable

any factor, trait, or condition that can be manipulated, controlled, or measured in a study.

Independent Variable

the variable that is deliberately changed or manipulated to observe its effect.

Dependent Variable

the variable that responds to changes in the independent variable and is measured.

Research Instrument

a tool used to collect, measure, or analyze data; should be validated and reliable.

Questionnaires

the main instrument for collecting data in survey research; a set of standardized questions.

Data

information collected, observed, generated, or created to validate findings.

Results (Findings)

the data or outcomes reported in a research study.

Discussion

the section that interprets findings and explains their significance in light of existing knowledge.

Objectives of Discussion

reiterate the problem and major findings, explain meaning, relate to similar studies, consider alternatives, acknowledge limitations, and suggest further research.

Conclusion

explains why the research matters and synthesizes key points beyond a simple summary.

Reference

the last page listing all sources cited; gives credit to consulted authors.

Appendix

space for supplementary materials that clarify the research but belong outside the main text.

Technical Definition

the precise definition of a term used within a specific field, often more specialized than common usage.

Operational Definition

definition of a term in terms of how it is measured or used in practice; often includes real-world application.

Experimental Research

a systematic approach where one or more variables are manipulated while others are controlled to observe effects.

True Experimental Research

an experimental design with random assignment to groups and high control over variables.

Quasi-Experimental Research

experiments similar to true experiments but without random assignment; practical in real-world settings.

Matched Comparison Quasi-Experimental Research

participants in treatment are matched with similar participants in a comparison group to reduce bias without randomization.

Time Series Quasi-Experimental Research

uses a series of pre-tests and post-tests to observe effects over time.

Single Subject Quasi-Experimental Research

quasi-experimental design focusing on a single subject with similar group characteristics.

Pre-Experimental Research

simplest form of experimental research with no control group or randomization; weaker internal validity.

Non-Experimental Research

research where variables are not manipulated or assigned; focuses on observation or analysis of existing conditions.

Descriptive Research

describes characteristics or behaviors of a group without manipulating it.

Correlational Research

examines statistical relationships between two or more variables but does not imply causation.

Comparative Research (Causal-Comparative/Ex Post Facto)

compares groups based on pre-existing differences to infer potential causes after the fact.

Survey Research

non-experimental method collecting data via questionnaires or interviews to describe a population's characteristics or opinions.

Cross-Sectional Survey Research

data collected at one point in time from a sample to provide a snapshot.

Longitudinal Survey Research

data collected from the same subjects repeatedly over time to study changes and trends.

Accuracy

the correctness and precision of data.

Objectiveness

being free from personal bias; facts over opinions.

Timeliness

data being fresh, current, and relevant.

Relevance

information that improves society or solves problems.

Clarity

clear, simple, and direct language in communication.

Systematic

an organized, orderly approach to research.

Empirical

based on observation and evidence.

Logical

reasonable and valid reasoning.

Cyclical

moving in repeating cycles or patterns.

Analytical

careful examination by breaking into parts and considering components.

Experimental

involving experiments or testing to observe effects.

Methodical

performed with method and order.

Replicable

able to be duplicated by others to obtain similar results.

Critical

requiring careful judgement and evaluation.

Latent Variable

a variable that cannot be observed directly but is inferred from other measures.

Manifest Variable

a variable that can be observed directly to provide evidence of latent constructs.

Exogenous Variable

a variable not affected by other variables in the system.

Endogenous Variable

a variable whose value is influenced by other factors in the system.

Continuous Variable

a variable that can take an infinite number of values and is measured.

Dichotomous/Binary Variable

a variable with only two possible values.

Population vs Sample

population is the entire group of interest; sample is the subset from which data are collected.