research and other stuff

• Descriptive research


  Aims to describe and document characteristics without manipulating variables
• Explanatory research


  Known as causal, seeks to identify cause-and-effect relationships
• Qualitative research


  Focuses on gathering non-numerical data to explore meanings
• Quantitative research


  Collecting and analyzing numerical data to quantify relationships
• Correlational research


  Examines the relationship between variables without manipulating them
• Experiment


  Involving manipulation of variables to observe their outcome
• Case study


  In-depth examination of a single individual to understand complexities and characteristics
• Applied research


  Focuses on solving specific problems or addressing practical questions
• Grounded theory


  Research methodology that develops theories
• Observation


  Method involving direct or indirect observation of the subject
• Action research


  Involves researchers collaborating with stakeholders to identify and address practical problems
• Basic research


  Pure research aimed at expanding knowledge and understanding
• Ethnography


  Method involving immersive observation and interaction within a culture or community
• Focus Groups


  Technique involving small groups of participants discussing topics to gather opinion
• Interviews


  Method involving direct questioning of individuals to gather information
• Research questions


  Clear and focused inquiry that a researcher wants to answer through their study
• Research hypothesis


  Statement that predicts the relationship between variables in a research study
• Independent variable


  Variable that is manipulated
• Dependent variable


  Variable that is measured to see if it changes in response to the independent variable
• Null hypothesis


  Statement that suggests there is no significant relationship between variables in a study
• Non-directional hypothesis


  Predicts a relationship between variables without specifying the direction of the relationship
• Directional hypothesis


  Hypothesis that predicts the direction of the relationship. Specifies whether the relationship is expected to be positive or negative
• Causal Hypothesis


  Proposes a cause-and-effect relationship between variables
• Primary Sources


  Original materials or first-hand accounts created at the time of the event. Direct evidence (diaries, letters, interviews, photographs, and speeches)
• Secondary Sources


  Interpretation or evaluations of primary sources. Provide commentary or analysis (books, documentaries, and reviews)
• Tertiary Sources


  Compile information from primary and secondary sources. Aimed at providing a summary of a topic (Encyclopedias, textbooks, and dictionaries)
• Important ideas


  • Concepts that are crucial and relevant to the given context
• Less Important ideas


  • Concepts that are minor in comparison to important ideas. Provide additional context or detail