FNR

Descriptive Nomenclature

according to procedure

Fundamental Research

purpose is the development of theories by discovering broad generalizations or principles.

Historical research

describe “what was”. It is investigating, recording, analyzing and interpreting events of the past. The purpose of this research is to discover generalizations to understand the present

Applied Research

purpose is improving a product or a process – testing theoretical concepts in actual problem situation.

Action Research

purpose is to improve practices and, at the same time, to improve those who try to improve practices; it is focused on the immediate application, not on the development of theory, not upon general application.

Descriptive Research

describe “what is”. It is describing, analyzing and interpreting the conditions that now exist.

Experimental Research

describes “what will be” when certain variables are carefully controlled or manipulated

Upstream

implemented at national level

Midstream

production of new materials based on gained knowledge for regional SCUs

Downstream

technology dissemination/demonstration at provincial level

commodity

product development

Non-commodity

integrated discipline

quantitative research

Investigation aims to assess a prestated theory (Deductive Reasoning) Often involves hypothesis testing

quantitative

Attempts to minimise the influence of the researcher on the outcome Quantitative data infers statistics

qualitative research

Investigation aims to create a novel theory (Inductive Reasoning)  Researcher becomes an inherent part of the study - ethnography

epistemology

How should we be attempting to assess knowledge?

interpretivism

understand a phenomena

ontology

Does the data exist in a tangible or an intangible form?

objectivism

explain independent external outcomes

constructionism

understand how social factors interact

reductionism

is the practice of analyzing and describing a complex phenomenon in terms of phenomena that are held to represent a simpler or more fundamental level, especially when this is said to provide a sufficient explanation.

Research design

an “objective, accurate, systematic analysis of a determine body of empirical data, in order to discover recurring relationships among phenomena” (

objective

unbiased, unprejudiced, detached, impersonal

accurate

strive to be definite, precise and exact.

systematic

imply that science is methodical, thorough and regular in its procedure

analysis

concerned with the identification and study of the component parts or elements which make up the things which you study

determinate

there are relatively agreed-upon defined traits or boundaries which specify what kind of things or boundaries you study

research method

s simply a technique for collecting data. Choice of research method reflects decisions about the type of instruments or techniques to be used.

biomedical research methods

include: 1) Chemical, Mechanical, Mathematical and Computer Simulations; 2) In-vitro tests; 3) Non-human models, 4) Human studies; 5) Epidemiological Studies

food and nutrition research

integrate the effects of the physical and chemical qualities of food on the totality of nutrient intake and promotion of well-being as well as understand the impacts of various diets and related nutritional interventions underpinning health

nutritional epidemiology

the assessment of diet and its relationship to disease etiology in populations. The study of dietary determinants of disease. The study of disease frequency, distribution and determinants – with nutritional exposure or outcome variables.

research question

is a statement that identifies the phenomenon to be studied. This could be gathered from theory, literature or experience. Among these, literature is the most important component.

Literature Review

This is the process of knowing more about previous studies done related to the research to be conducted

theoretical framework

is the theory from which the research problem was derived in the case of EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES, or to which it is linked (for survey studies). In formulating theoretical framework, you may look at the various theories upon which you can base your study.

conceptual framework

presents the relationship between the specific concepts for study.

Hypothesis formulation

n educational guess about the outcome of the study to answer. “What is really being studied?”

research design

provides a framework for the collection and analysis of data.

Choice of research design reflects decisions about priorities given to the dimensions of the research process

quantitative research

used to generate numerical data or data that can be transformed into usable statistics. It also generalizes results from a larger sample population. It uses measurable data to formulate facts and uncover patterns in research collection methods are much more structured. The collection methods include various forms of surveys and systematic observations.