Rise Career Glossary | Research & Development Terms and Definitions
Research and Development Terms
Frequently Used Terms in Research and Development
Analytical Chemistry: Analytical chemistry is a branch of chemistry that focuses on the identification and quantification of chemical components in substances. It involves the use of various instruments and techniques to separate, analyze, and measure these components accurately.
Biotechnology: Biotechnology refers to the application of biological systems, organisms, or their components to develop or produce useful products and technologies. It involves the use of genetic engineering, recombinant DNA technology, and other techniques to manipulate biological processes for specific purposes, such as pharmaceutical development or crop improvement.
Experimental Design: Experimental design refers to the process of planning and arranging experiments to ensure reliable and valid results. It involves determining the variables, controls, and sample sizes required, as well as the statistical methods to be used for data analysis.
Intellectual Property: Intellectual property refers to legal rights that protect intangible creations or inventions, such as patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets. It plays a crucial role in research and development by ensuring the exclusive rights and ownership of innovative ideas, products, or technologies.
Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS): LIMS is a software-based system that allows laboratories to efficiently manage and track scientific data, samples, and workflows. It helps streamline operations, improve data accuracy, and enhance regulatory compliance in research and development laboratories.
Product Development: Product development refers to the process of creating new or improved products, starting from the conceptualization stage to commercialization. It involves research, design, testing, and scaling up production to meet market demands and customer requirements.
Quality Control: Quality control (QC) involves ensuring that products, processes, and systems meet the specified requirements and standards. It focuses on monitoring and verifying product quality through inspections, testing, and statistical analysis to maintain consistency and customer satisfaction.
Research Ethics: Research ethics refers to a set of principles and guidelines that govern the conduct and integrity of research activities. It includes protecting human subjects, maintaining confidentiality, avoiding conflicts of interest, and complying with ethical and legal regulations in the pursuit of knowledge and innovation.
Sustainability: Sustainability in research and development refers to the ability to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It involves incorporating environmental, social, and economic considerations in the design, development, and production of innovative solutions that minimize negative impacts and promote long-term viability.
Validation: Validation is the process of establishing documented evidence that a system, process, or method performs as intended. In research and development, validation ensures that products or procedures are reliable, accurate, and consistently meet the required specifications and standards.
