Lesson 4.

1 Research Terminologies

What is Research?

Research is a process of systematic inquiry that entails collection of data; documentation of critical information; and
analysis and interpretation of that data/information, in accordance with suitable methodologies set by specific professional
fields and academic disciplines.

Research is conducted to evaluate the validity of a hypothesis or an interpretive framework; to assemble a body of
substantive knowledge and findings for sharing them in appropriate manners; and to generate questions for further inquiries.
As a Grade 10 student, you are expected to create basic research. But before planning and coming up with the different parts
of your study, it is just appropriate to be familiar with some of the used terms in research writing. Although some terms you
will meet while researching are not listed below, these jargons are likewise the common and useful ones to know and learn
beforehand. Through this, you will become ready once you finally use them as you investigate for some problems or issues of
your interest.

TERM DEFINITION

abstract A brief overview of a research study

Applied Research Conducted to generate knowledge that influences or improves practice

Basic Research Research that tests theories

Conceptual A variable, such as anxiety, may be defined as a feeling of uneasiness

concepts The building blocks of theories

constitutive The basic, dictionary meaning

Control group In experiments, the one that does not get the treatment

Correlational A type of research design that depicts a relationship between variables, but not necessarily one
study of cause -effect

data Information used as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or calculation.

Delimitations It addresses how the study will be narrowed in scope.

Dependent variable The concept that the researcher is most interested in understanding

Descriptive study Research design that describes “what is” e.g. a survey

experiment A research design used to find “cause-effect” relationships the “effect of…on…”

Experimental Group The one that gets the treatment

External validity How generalizable the results are as it concerns other populations and locations

extraneous Variables that may influence or contaminate the data

heterogeneous Groups under study are very different or varied.

homogeneous Groups that are very similar

Independent The concept being studied that usually indicates the influence or cause; the one that the
variable researcher is manipulating

hypothesis A statement written by the researcher that states the relationship among or between
variables

Inductive The basis for the qualitative research approach

Internal validity The extent to which a study measures what it is supposed to measure (accuracy within a
study)

Introduction Establishes the scope, context and significance of the research to be conducted.

Limitations identify potential weaknesses of the study.

Measures of Averages e.g. the mean)

mean The arithmetic average

median The middle where half the scores fall above, half below, eliminates the influence of outliers

Methodology Systematic approach to the conduct of a process. It includes steps of procedure, application of
techniques, systems of analysis, and the modes of inquiry employed by a discipline.

mode The score that occurs the most

Null Hypothesis The proposition, to be tested statistically, that the experimental intervention has "no effect,"
meaning that the treatment and control groups will not differ as a result of the intervention.
Investigators usually hope that the data will demonstrate some effect from the intervention, thus
allowing the investigator to reject the null hypothesis.

Operational How a term is used in a study

Participant Also called respondents, their characteristics and responses are the object of study in
research

IV. LEARNING PHASES AND LEARNING

TERM DEFINITION

Principle The person who oversees a research

population the target group under investigation. The population is the entire set under
consideration. Samples are drawn from populations

Purpose of the specific research aims and objectives for the research.
study

random By chance

Qualitative Trying to verify or generate descriptive theory that is grounded in the data gleaned from the
Research investigation (naturalistic).

Quantitative Answer a specific research question by showing statistical evidence that the data may be
Research addressed in a particular way (experimental).

Questionnaire Structured sets of questions on specified subjects that are used to gather information.

Random Everybody has the same chance of being assigned to any group.
sample

Research A systematic, objective way to generate facts

Research The method for finding out what the researcher wants to know, experiment, and correlate…
design

Research The method of research design (paradigm as well as statistics and analysis) as well as the
Methodology approximate timeline for completion of the study.

Relationship The bond or connection between two variables

sample A smaller group that represents population of interest

Significance of It is written as part of the introduction section of a thesis. It provides details to the reader on how
the the study will contribute such as what the study will contribute and who will benefit from it.
Study

Standard A measure of spread; the average deviation of a group of scores from the mean
deviation

Statement of Part of the introduction which enumerates the research questions which the study
the sought to answer.
problem

Statistical Application of statistical processes and theory to the compilation, presentation, discussion, and
Analysis interpretation of numerical data.

Statistical An important finding that did not likely happen by chance

Statistics Mathematical tools based on the normal curve used to analyze data; it must match with
research designs

T-score A standard score on the normal curve where the mean is assigned “50” deviations of “10”.
Allows more simple interpretation of student achievement

subject The people who are being studied

T-test A parametric statistical tool that compares differences between the means of two groups:
assumptions for use include normal distribution and at least interval data

theory An generalization that presents a representation about relationships among phenomena

validity Accuracy, the extent to which a test or study measures what it is supposed to measure

variable A quality of interest or concepts that can be manipulated, observed or studied