DEFINITION Research

• Research - the scientific investigation of phenomena which includes collection, presentation, analysis, and interpretation of facts that lines an individual's speculation with reality.
• Research - an investigation that enables one to prove or establish reliable facts and reach new and logical conclusions.
• Empirical - research is based on direct experience or observation by the researcher.

  • researcher must be directly involved in the whole process of the investigation 
• Cyclical - research starts with a problem and ends with a problem.

  • research questions lead to data collection which leads to interpretations and then to new constructs or problems.
• Analytical - research utilizes proven analytical procedures in gathering data, whether historical, descriptive, experimental and case study.

  • critical analysis of all data that are utilized is needed to maintain the element of accuracy and to avoid error in the interpretation
• Systematic - research is conducted in an objective or unbiased manner following logical, orderly, and sequential procedures.

  • the investigation is done step by step
• Replicable - research design and procedures are replicated or repeated to enable the researcher to arrive at valid and conclusive results

  • the element of replicability has a very strong resemblance with the cyclical nature of research
• Construct - refers to any of the following: something that exists theoretically but is not directly observable; a concept developed for describing relations among phenomena or for other research purposes...
• Data - factual information (as measurements or statistics) used as basis for reasoning, discussion, calculation, or interpretation.
• Hypothesis - a tentative explanation based on theory to predict a casual relationship between variables
• Measurement - process of obtaining a numerical description of extent to which persons, organizations, or things possess specified characteristics.
• Models - representations of objects, principles, processes, or ideas often used for imitation or emulation. It may also be a pictorial, graphic representation or schematic diagram of key concepts.
• Participant/s - individuals whose psychological and/or behavioral characteristics and responses are the object of study in a research project.
• Population - the target group under investigation, and is the entire set under consideration.
• Questionnaire - structured sets of questions on specified subjects that are used to gather information, attitudes or opnions.
• Reliability - the degree to which a measure yields consistent results. if the measure instrument is reliable, then administering it to similar groups will yield similar and trustworthy results.
• Sample - the population researched in a particular study; the desired percentage drawn from the total population.
• Theory - a general explanation about a specific behavior or set of events that is based on known principles and serves to organize related events in a meaningful way.
• Unit of analysis - the basic observable entity or phenomenon being analyzed by a study and for which data are collected in the form of variables.
• Validity - the degree to which a study accurately reflects or assesses the specific concept that the researcher is attempting to measure. a method can be reliable but may not be valid.
• Triangulation - refers to the use of multiple methods or sources of data to validate and corroborate findings. it involves the integration of different perspectives, methods, data sources, or researchers to enhance the credibility...
• Variable - any characteristic or trait that can vary from on person to another (race, gender, academic major, socio-economic status, academic performance, political beliefs, etc.)
• Independent Variable - variable that an experimenter or a researcher manipulates or changes, and is assumed to have a direct impact on the dependent variable.
• Dependent Variable - the variable being tested and measured in a research or experiment. it is expected to change as a result of an experimental manipulation of the independent variable.
• Controlled Variable - is a factor in an experiment or research study that allow researches to reduce likelihood of confounding variable- variables that could interfere with the interpretation of results.