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• Research


  A systematic investigation that requires data to be collected, analyzed, and interpreted of any social or natural phenomena where results and conclusions are aimed at contributing to generalizable knowledge
• Research


  • Must follow the scientific method – a standardized set of techniques for building scientific knowledge
• Inductive reasoning


  Aims to infer theoretical concepts and patterns from observed data; also known as Theory Building research
• Deductive reasoning


  Aims to test concepts and patterns known from theory using new empirical data; also known as Theory Testing research
• Qualitative research


  Often referred to as inductive research; aims to understand or make sense of the world based on the experiences and perceptions of individuals
• Quantitative research


  Often referred to as deductive research; aims to understand the world by generalizability using controlled, value-neutral processes
• Although qualitative and quantitative research can be conducted separately, these are often done alongside each other in higher education
• Basic research


  Also known as theoretical research; aims to test existing or generate new theories to advance knowledge or understanding; often identified when the research discovers new phenomena or new ideas of general interest
• Applied research


  Aims to use the acquired knowledge in order to contribute directly to the understanding or resolution of practical issues; often identified when the research contributes to the solution of specific practical problems
• Empirical knowledge


  Information gathered through experience and direct data collection
• Nonempirical knowledge


  Roots from introspection, vicarious experiences, and people's analysis of events
• Scientific knowledge


  A generalized body of laws and theories that explains a phenomenon acquired using the scientific method; can be imperfect or far from the truth since it is based on the various theories currently accepted at the time
• Exploratory research


  Often conducted in new areas of inquiry where it intends to scope out the magnitude of a particular phenomenon, problem, or behavior, to generate new ideas, and also to test the feasibility of undertaking an extensive study regarding the phenomenon; seeks to investigate and under-researched aspect of life
• Explanatory research


  Provides explanations of an observed phenomenon by answering the 'why' and 'how' questions; attempts to correct the dots by identifying causal factors and outcomes of the phenomenon; and often seeks to explain an aspect of social life
• Descriptive research


  Used to describe an aspect of life richly; related to explanatory research but instead answers the 'who', 'what', 'when', and 'where' questions; observations are based on the scientific method and are therefore more reliable than descriptions provided by untrained individuals
• Research design


  A strategic plan of how to go about answering the research questions; a plan on how to collect, analyze, and interpret the research data; touches on all parts of the research and acts as a blueprint
• Research methodology


  The rationale for the research design and is broader in terms of concepts on which it touches; justifies one's choice of data collection, analysis method, and procedures
• Research methods


  Specific set of tools that a researcher uses throughout the study; based on the methodology