List of Frequently Used Terms in Research Department

1. Abstract: An abstract is a concise summary of a research article or project, highlighting its key objectives, methodology, findings, and conclusions. It helps readers quickly understand the essence of the study without reading the entire paper.
2. Analysis: Analysis refers to the process of examining and interpreting data or information collected during a research study. It involves identifying patterns, trends, and relationships to draw meaningful insights and conclusions.
3. Bias: Bias refers to the systematic deviation from the truth or an accurate representation of reality in research. It can occur due to various factors such as sample selection, data collection methods, researcher's subjectivity, or funding sources, potentially impacting the validity and reliability of the study.
4. Control Group: A control group is a group of subjects in an experiment that does not receive the treatment or intervention being tested. It serves as a basis of comparison to evaluate the effectiveness or impact of the treatment on the experimental group.
5. Data Collection: Data collection involves gathering information or observations that are relevant to the research study. It can be done through various methods such as surveys, interviews, experiments, observations, or the analysis of existing data.
6. Ethics: Ethics in research refers to the moral principles and guidelines that ensure the rights, welfare, and confidentiality of research participants. It involves obtaining informed consent, maintaining privacy, minimizing harm, and adhering to professional codes of conduct.
7. Hypothesis: A hypothesis is a testable statement that predicts the relationship between variables or the outcome of a research study. It serves as a foundation for formulating research questions and designing experiments.
8. Interpretation: Interpretation involves explaining and making sense of research findings in the context of existing knowledge and literature. It requires critical thinking, considering alternative explanations, and identifying the implications and limitations of the study.
9. Literature Review: A literature review is an extensive examination and analysis of existing research and scholarly articles relevant to a particular research topic or question. It provides an overview of the current knowledge, identifies research gaps, and justifies the need for conducting the study.
10. Methodology: Methodology refers to the systematic approach or framework used to conduct research. It includes the study design, data collection methods, sampling techniques, statistical analysis, and any tools or instruments employed to gather information.
11. Null Hypothesis: The null hypothesis is a statement of no effect or relationship between variables. It assumes that any observed differences or associations are due to chance. Researchers aim to statistically reject the null hypothesis to establish the presence of an alternative hypothesis.
12. Observation: Observation involves systematically watching and recording behaviors, events, or phenomena in a natural or controlled setting. It is a primary data collection method used to gather qualitative or quantitative information for research purposes.
13. Peer Review: Peer review is a process in which experts in a particular field assess and evaluate the quality, rigor, and validity of research articles before they are published in academic journals. It ensures the credibility and reliability of the research.
14. Quantitative Research: Quantitative research is a systematic and empirical approach that focuses on collecting and analyzing numerical data to uncover patterns, relationships, and generalizable conclusions. It often involves large sample sizes, structured surveys, experiments, or statistical analysis.
15. Qualitative Research: Qualitative research is an exploratory and subjective approach that aims to understand and interpret social phenomena, experiences, or behaviors through interviews, observations, or textual analysis. It focuses on in-depth understanding rather than numerical measurements.
16. Reliability: Reliability refers to the consistency and dependability of research findings, measurements, or instruments. A study is considered reliable if it produces consistent results when repeated or when applied by different researchers using the same methods.
17. Sample Size: Sample size refers to the number of participants or observations included in a research study. It is determined based on statistical considerations, such as the desired level of precision, power, and the variability of the sample population.
18. Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis involves applying various mathematical techniques to analyze and interpret data collected in a research study. It includes descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, regression analysis, or hypothesis testing to draw meaningful insights and make generalizations.
19. Validity: Validity refers to the extent to which a research study accurately measures what it intends to measure or reflects the true phenomenon under investigation. It encompasses internal validity (extent to which the study design minimizes bias) and external validity (generalizability of the findings to the target population or real-world settings).