Demystifying Research Methods

Informal approach

drawing conclusions based on observations in daily life (e.g. what you see and your opinion) rather than using standard research methods.

Systematic approach

observations that are based on adequate research, following standard research methods according to a fixed, methodological plan.

Research

systematic approach involving an organised investigation into a topic to establish facts and draw conclusions.

Fundamental research & theoretical application

used to explore topics and build upon or develop new theories and hypotheses.

Applied research & practical application

conducted to acquire new knowledge

Research methods

the specific procedures, strategies, and techniques used for systematically collecting and analysing data

Research problem

helps you understand what the problem is, how it affects social, how all its different elements interact, and what you as a researcher can focus on.

Research objective

a statement or two that summaries what you are trying to achieve with your research

Research question

is the single question that your entire research project is designed to answer. It is the driving force behind your research and should guide every decision you make. The results of your research should directly answer this question.

Research sub-questions

are secondary questions that help you explore different aspects of your main research question. They break down a complex topic into smaller, more manageable parts, which helps to structure your research

Research ethics

refers to the ethical principles that guide all research. In the field of safety and security, research often involves people, so it is crucial that your work is conducted according to high ethical standards.

Data

A collection of raw facts, which on their own may not have a purpose and require processing.

Information

is the result of processing raw data. It is the perception of data, gained through analysis, which puts a set of data points into a context that has meaning.

Fact

information that is demonstrably true and can be proven through research methods, such as

observation or measurement

Theory

a logically consistent explanation about a specific behaviour or set of events that is based on known principles and is validated by empirical evidence.

Framework

is a structure, model, or tool used to investigate a research problem. It offers a specific, often step-by-step, approach to analysing information or solving a problem.

Opinion

a personal view or belief about a topic, which is not necessarily based on or supported by empirical evidence

Cognitive biases

is a pattern of systematic errors in thinking that results in a misperception of reality. These errors happen unconsciously due to the way our brains process information and can make us vulnerable to manipulation.

Logical fallacies

Errors in reasoning that are related to how you make claims and construct arguments.

Qualitative research

focuses on gathering non-numerical data about lived experiences, emotions, or behaviours, and the meanings individuals attach to them. It helps researchers gain a deep understanding of complex concepts, social interactions, or cultural phenomena. This type of research is useful for exploring how or why things have occurred by interpreting events and describing actions, often through methods like interviews and literature reviews.

Quantitative research

focuses on gathering numerical and statistical data that can be ranked, measured, or categorised through statistical analysis. It is used to uncover patterns or 25relationships and to make generalisations. This type of research is useful for finding out how many, how much, how often, or to what exact extent something occurs, often through methods like surveys and questionnaires.

Deductive thinking

A systematic, top-down approach that starts with a general theory or rule and moves to a specific conclusion

Inductive thinking

A systematic, bottom-up approach that starts with specific observations (also expressed in premises) and moves to find more general patterns, conclusions or theories.

Mixed-methods research

A research approach that combines quantitative and qualitative methods to gather and analyse data. This provides a more holistic understanding by integrating statistical data with deeper contextual insights.

Multi-method research

A research approach that uses two or more methods from the same family—either multiple qualitative methods or multiple quantitative methods—in a single study.

Triangulation

using multiple viewpoints to make your findings more reliable

Holism

understanding that a system (like workplace safety or an ecosystem) is more than just the sum of its parts. To understand it, you must look at the whole picture and the connections between the parts.

Research project

A scientific effort to answer a research question within a limited time, following a structured approach to achieve an observable result.

Preliminary research

where you find basic information about your topic, answering questions such as who, what, when and where. This initial research will also help you determine controversies related to your topic and determine if there are enough sources available to cover the topic effectively.

Case study

A detailed investigation of a particular problem, person, group, or event. It is like zooming in on one piece of the puzzle to understand how it fits into the bigger picture.

White literature

An umbrella term for traditionally published, peer-reviewed academic works. This includes scholarly articles in academic journals and books published by academic presses

Grey literature

An umbrella term that includes materials and research produced by organisations outside of traditional academic publishing. This includes technical reports from government agencies, theses, conference proceedings, and corporate reports.