Research Process & Types of Research – Key Vocabulary

36 vocabulary flashcards covering every major step in the research process, key methodological concepts, and classifications of research types discussed in the lecture notes.

Research Process

An eight-step sequence guiding studies: topic selection, literature review, question formulation, research design, data collection, data analysis, drawing conclusions, and report writing.

Selection of Topic

The critical first step of choosing a clear, focused, and relevant research problem to investigate.

Literature Review

Critical reading, evaluation, and organization of existing studies to identify trends, gaps, and foundational knowledge for new research.

Research Question

A clear, specific inquiry that directs a study, often structured as: Question word + Variable 1 + Relationship + Variable 2 + Context.

FINER Criteria

Guidelines for crafting questions: Feasible, Interesting, Novel, Ethical, and Relevant.

Research Design

The study’s blueprint detailing sampling, methods, tools, and analytic procedures chosen to answer the research question.

Data Collection

Implementation of instruments (surveys, experiments, interviews, etc.) to gather observations or measurements from a sample.

Data Analysis

Organizing and processing collected data with statistical or qualitative techniques to extract patterns and answer questions.

Drawing Conclusions

Summarizing findings, discussing implications, and directly answering the study’s questions or hypotheses.

Report Writing

Communicating research outcomes with accuracy, objectivity, clarity, conciseness, and in the prescribed format.

Basic (Pure) Research

Study aimed at acquiring new knowledge or testing theory without immediate practical application.

Applied Research

Research conducted to solve specific, real-world problems using existing knowledge and methods.

Quantitative Research

Investigation that collects and analyzes numerical data to quantify relationships, patterns, and trends, using statistical methods.

Qualitative Research

Exploration of subjective experiences and perceptions through non-numerical data such as words, observations, or visuals.

Descriptive/Observational Research

Studies that observe and measure phenomena in natural settings without manipulating variables.

Experimental Research

Research that manipulates independent variables to observe effects on dependent variables, aiming to establish causation.

Developmental Research

Designing, creating, and evaluating products, technologies, or programs for improvement and innovation.

Independent Variable

The variable deliberately manipulated by researchers to observe its effect in an experiment.

Dependent Variable

The outcome measured in an experiment, expected to change in response to the independent variable.

Control Variable

A factor kept constant to ensure that observed effects are due to the independent variable alone.

One-way ANOVA

A statistical test comparing means of three or more groups to determine if at least one differs significantly.

Continuous Data

Numerical information that can take any value within a range, such as height or temperature.

Discrete Data

Countable numerical information, e.g., number of boys in a class.

Categorical Data

Non-numerical data representing groups or categories, such as education level or sex.

Systematic Sampling

Sampling approach that divides a population into regular intervals or grids and selects units in a consistent pattern.

Longitudinal Study

Research that follows the same subjects over an extended period to observe changes.

Cross-sectional Study

Research comparing different population segments at a single point in time.

Field Experimentation

Experimental research conducted in natural, real-world settings rather than a laboratory.

Natural Experimentation

Study where researchers observe effects without controlling the environment; variables change naturally.

Data Collection Strategy

Specific method such as surveys, structured interviews, or in-depth observations used to gather data.

Tensile Strength

The resistance of a material (e.g., handmade paper) to breaking under tension.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

UN-defined global objectives; in research, topics may align with goals like SDG 12 Responsible Consumption & Production.

Blueprint

Another term for the research design, outlining each procedural element of a study.

Feasibility

Assessment of whether a study can be completed with available time, skills, budget, and resources.

Novelty

The extent to which research generates new knowledge, confirms, refutes, or extends existing findings.