Terms before doing Research!

Research

Definition

Refers to a search for knowledge. As a scientific investigation. ‘a careful of a subject, especially in order to discover new facts of information about it’(Hornby, 2000).
Redman and Mory (1923) defined research as a ‘systematized effort to gain new knowledge’. A movement from known to unknown.
Clifford Woody showed that ‘research comprises defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions; collecting, organizing and evaluating data; making deductions and reaching conclusions; and at last carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis (Kothari, 2007).
Slesinger and Stephenson (1930) defined as ‘the manipulating of things, concepts or symbols for the purpose of generalizing to extend, correct or verify knowledge, whether that knowledge aids in construction of theory or in the practice of an art’ .
diligent and systematic inquiry or investigation into a subject in order to discover or revise facts, theories, applications, etc.: recent research in medicine(Dictionary.com, 2009).

Synonyms of research

inquest, inquisition, investigation, probe, analysis, examination, experiment, inquiry, study, exploration, groundwork, quest

Method

Definition

a procedure, technique, or way of doing something, esp. in accordance with a definite plan: There are three possible methods of repairing this motor.
a manner or mode of procedure, esp. an orderly, logical, or systematic way of instruction, inquiry, investigation, experiment, presentation, etc.: the empirical method of inquiry.
The procedures and techniques characteristic of a particular discipline or field of knowledge: This field course gives an overview of archaeological method.

Synonyms of method

fashion, manner, mode, modus operandi, style, system, wise, order, organization, pattern, plan, empirical

Research Method

All those method that can be used for conduction of research.

Methodology

Wikipedia

“the analysis of the principles of methods, rules, and postulates employed by a discipline”;
“the systematic study of methods that are, can be, or have been applied within a discipline”; or
“a particular procedure or set of procedures.

A body of practices, procedures, and rules used by those who work in a discipline or engage in an inquiry; a set of working methods: the methodology of genetic studies; a poll marred by faulty methodology. (Dictionary.com)

Methodology includes the following concepts as they relate to a particular discipline or field of inquiry:

a collection of theories, concepts or ideas;
comparative study of different approaches; and
critique of the individual methods ‘

Synonyms of methodology

approach, design, manner, mode, plan, practice, procedure, process, program, style, technique, way

Research Methodology

A research methodology defines what the activity of research is, how to proceed, how to measure progress, and what constitutes success. AI methodology is a jumbled mess. Different methodologies define distinct schools which wage religious wars against each other.

is a way to systematically solve the research problem. May be understood as a science of studying how research is done scientifically.

Planning

Dictionary.com

a scheme or method of acting, doing, proceeding, making, etc., developed in advance: battle plans.
A scheme, program, or method worked out beforehand for the accomplishment of an objective: a plan of attack.

Wikipedia

Planning in organizations and public policy is both the organizational process of creating and maintaining a plan; and the psychological process of thinking about the activities required to create a desired goal on some scale. As such, it is a fundamental property of intelligent behavior. This thought process is essential to the creation and refinement of a plan, or integration of it with other plans, that is, it combines forecasting of developments with the preparation of scenarios of how to react to them.

The term is also used to describe the formal procedures used in such an endeavor, such as the creation of documents diagrams, or meetings to discuss the important issues to be addressed, the objectives to be met, and the strategy to be followed. Beyond this, planning has a different meaning depending on the political or economic context in which it is used.

Research plan

After identifying and defining the problem as also accomplishing the relating task, researcher must arrange his ideas in order and write them in the form of an experimental plan or what can be described as ‘RP’

Experiment

The process of examining the truth of a statistical hypothesis, relating to some research problem. Two types:

Absolute experiment:-the impact of one fertilizer
Comparative ex:- the impact of one fertilizer compared with other

A test under controlled conditions that is made to demonstrate a known truth, examine the validity of a hypothesis, or determine the efficacy of something previously untried. the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation (D.com)

In scientific inquiry, an experiment (Latin: ex- periri, “to try out”) is a method of investigating particular types of research questions or solving particular types of problems. The experiment is a cornerstone in the empirical approach to acquiring deeper knowledge about the world and is used in both natural sciences as well as in social sciences. An experiment is defined, in science, as a method of investigating less known fields, solving practical problems and proving theoretical assumptions. (wikipedia)

Synonyms of Experiment

trial, analyze, assay, check, exercise, investigate, observation, probe, research, search, test, agreement

Experimental unit

The pre-determined plots or the blocks, where different treatment are used.

An experimental unit is the portion of experimental material to which a treatment is applied. Randomization of treatments is implied among experimental units.

Design

Design is used both as a noun and a verb.

As a verb, “to design” refers to the process of originating and developing a plan for a product, structure, system, or component with intention
As a noun, “a design” is used for either the final (solution) plan (e.g. proposal, drawing, model, description) or the result of implementing that plan in the form of the final product of a design process

D.com

the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan); “he contributed to the design of a new instrument”
an outline, sketch, or plan, as of the form and structure of a work of art, an edifice, or a machine to be executed or constructed.

Synonyms of Design

blueprint, cast, chart, conceive, contrive, devise, formulate, frame, lay, plan, project, scheme

Research Design

The arrangement of conditions for collection and analysis of data in a manner that aims to combine relevance to the research purpose with economy in procedure (Claire Selltiz)

Experimental Design

Design of experiments, or experimental design, is the design of all information-gathering exercises where variation is present, whether under the full control of the experimenter or not. (The latter situation is usually called an observational study.) Often the experimenter is interested in the effect of some process or intervention (the “treatment”) on some objects (the “experimental units”), which may be people. Design of experiments is thus a discipline that has very broad application across all the natural and social sciences.(W)

Sample

D.com

a small part of anything or one of a number, intended to show the quality, style, or nature of the whole; specimen.
A part of anything presented for inspection, or shown as evidence of the quality of the whole; a specimen; as, goods are often purchased by samples.
A portion, piece, or segment that is representative of a whole.
a representative part or a single item from a larger whole or groupespecially when presented for inspection or shown as evidence of quality

Synonyms of sample

case, illustration, instance, representative, specimen, archetype, example, exemplar, pattern, prototype, replica, inspect

Sampling

D.com

the act or process of selecting a sample for testing, analyzing, etc.

The act, process, or technique of selecting an appropriate sample.

Sampling is that part of statistical practice concerned with the selection of individual observations intended to yield some knowledge about a population of concern, especially for the purposes of statistical inference. Each observation measures one or more properties (weight, location, etc.) of an observable entity enumerated to distinguish objects or individuals. Survey weights often need to be applied to the data to adjust for the sample design. Results from probability theory and statistical theory are employed to guide practice.

The procedure by which a few subjects are chosen from the universe to be studied in such as way that the sample can be used to estimate the same characteristics in the total is referred to as sampling. The advantages of using samples rather than surveying the population are that it is much less costly, quicker and, if selected properly, gives results with known accuracy that can be calculated mathematically. Even for relatively small samples, accuracy does not suffer even though precision or the amount of detailed information obtained, might. These are important considerations, since most research projects have both budget and time constraints.

Sampling frame

The elementary units or the group or cluster of such units may form the basis of sampling process in which case they are called as sampling units. A list containing all such sampling units is known as sf. Sf consists of a list of items from which the sample is to be drawn.

Sampling design

Is a definite plan for obtaining a sample from the sampling frame. Refers to the technique or the procedure the researcher would adopt in selecting some sampling units from which inferences about the population is drawn.

Sampling error

The error which occurred during surveying on small portion of the population and there would naturally be a certain amount of inaccuracy in the information collected.

Treatments

The different conditions under which ex. and control groups are put are usually referred to as T. suppose we used three fertilizer to see the impact on production.
The act, manner, or method of handling or dealing with someone or something: “the right to equal treatment in the criminal and juvenile justice system”
(D.com).

Synonyms of Treatment

care, regimen, therapy, action, antidote, application, cure, handling, management, method, procedure, remedy

Replication

the repetition of an experiment in order to test the validity of its conclusion; “scientists will not believe an experimental result until they have seen at least one replication” (D.com)
In scientific research, the repetition of an experiment to confirm findings or to ensure accuracy. (D.com)

Synonyms of Replication

carbon copy, duplicate, facsimile, image, likeness, replica, reproduction,

Control

D.com

A standard of comparison for checking or verifying the results of an experiment. In an experiment to test the effectiveness of a new drug, for example, one group of subjects (the control group) receives an inactive substance or placebo , while a comparison group receives the drug being tested.

Used to minimize the influence of extraneous variable.

Synonyms of Control

direct, dominate, govern, rule, collect, contain, cool, simmer down, regulate, command, domination, dominion

Hypothesis

A hypothesis (from Greek
ὑπόθεσις) consists either of a suggested explanation for an observable phenomenon or of a reasoned proposal predicting a possible causal correlation among multiple phenomena. The term derives from the Greek, hypotithenai meaning “to put under” or “to suppose.”

A tentative theory or supposition provisionally adopted to explain certain facts, and to guide in the investigation of others; hence, frequently called a working hypothesis.(D.com)

Synonyms of hypothesis

conjectural, hypothetical, theoretical, assumption, belief, deduction, guess, premise, proposal, supposition, system, theory

Random

D.com

proceeding, made, or occurring without definite aim, reason, or pattern: the random selection of numbers.
Statistics. of or characterizing a process of selection in which each item of a set has an equal probability of being chosen.

Synonyms of Random

chance, desultory, haphazard, hit-or-miss, indiscriminate, spot, unplanned, accidental, adventitious, aimless, arbitrary, capricious

Randomization

a deliberately haphazard arrangement of observations so as to simulate chance

To make random in arrangement, especially in order to control the variables in an experiment.

Randomization is the process of making something random

Randomization is a core principle in the statistical theory of design of experiments. Its use was extensively promoted by R.A. Fisher in his book Statistical Methods for Research Workers. Randomization involves randomly allocating the experimental units across the treatment groups. Thus, if the experiment compares a new drug against a standard drug used as a control, the patients should be allocated to new drug or control by a random process.

Thesis

D.com

an interpretive method, originally used to relate specific entities or events to the absolute idea, in which some assertible proposition (thesis) is necessarily opposed by an equally assertible and apparently contradictory proposition (antithesis), the mutual contradiction being reconciled on a higher level of truth by a third proposition (synthesis).

A thesis statement declares what you believe and what you intend to prove. A good thesis statement makes the difference between a thoughtful research project and a simple retelling of facts.

A good tentative thesis will help you focus your search for information. But don’t rush! You must do a lot of background reading before you know enough about a subject to identify key or essential questions. You may not know how you stand on an issue until you have examined the evidence. You will likely begin your research with a working, preliminary or tentative thesis which you will continue to refine until you are certain of where the evidence leads.

Synonyms of thesis

contention, dissertation, postulate, premise, supposition, theory, argument, belief, composition, discourse, essay, exposition

Project

A plan or proposal; a scheme
An undertaking requiring concerted effort.
A project is something of a practical nature thrown out for consideration as to its being done. A design is a project when matured and settled, as a thing to be accomplished.
More generically, the Oxford English Dictionary suggests that business and science projects involve “a collaborative enterprise, frequently involving research or design, that is carefully planned to achieve a particular aim”.
PRINCE2 defines a project as “a management environment that is created for the purpose of delivering one or more business products according to a specified business case”

Project Proposal

A project proposal is written, to make an offer and to try to convince a supervisor or a future customer to accept it.

In a project proposal you state that, in exchange for time and/or money, you will give them something that they want (an analysis of a procedure, for example), make something they desire (a prototype of a new product), or do something they wish to have done (redesign an existing structure). In other words, you are asking a decision-maker to invest a resource, (time or money or both), so that the project you propose can be completed, and your readers, whether a future supervisor within your own organization, or your client for your project, will invest their resources carefully.

Report

In writing, a report is a document characterized by information or other content reflective of inquiry or investigation, which is tailored to the context of a given situation and audience. The purpose of reports is usually to inform. However, reports may include persuasive elements, such as recommendations, suggestions, or other motivating conclusions that indicate possible future actions the report reader might take. Reports can be public or private, and often address questions posed by individuals in government, business, education, and science.

A report is an extended formal document with lots of pages that shows different types of information with details of the findings like e.g. Methodology, findings and added Appendices. The document structure is easily navigated by using a table of contents, so the audience can easily find specific information by clear headings and a set structure of text and images.

a written document describing the findings of some individual or group; “this accords with the recent study by Hill and Dale”

Synonyms of report

account, chronicle, description, history, narration, narrative, statement, version, hearsay, rumor, tattle, word

Evaluation

Evaluation is systematic determination of merit, worth, and significance of something or someone using criteria against a set of standards. Evaluation often is used to characterize and appraise subjects of interest in a wide range of human enterprises, including the arts, criminal justice, foundations and non-profit organizations, government, health care, and other human services.

The process of examining a system or system component to determine the extent to which specified properties are present.

Synonyms of evaluation

appraisal, assessment, estimation, judgment, analysis, assay, critique, interpretation, opinion, calculation, decision, estimate

Table

a table is a set of data elements (values) that is organized using a model of vertical columns (which are identified by their name) and horizontal rows. A table has a specified number of columns, but can have any number of rows. Each row is identified by the values appearing in a particular column subset which has been identified as a candidate key.

D.com

an arrangement of words, numbers, or signs, or combinations of them, as in parallel columns, to exhibit a set of facts or relations in a definite, compact, and comprehensive form; a synopsis or scheme.

Synonyms of table

chart, adjourn, delay, hold off, hold up, postpone, remit, shelve, stay, suspend, waive, appendix

Figure

D.com

A written or printed symbol representing something other than a letter, especially a number.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material; “the area covered can be seen from Figure 2″

Synonyms of figure

arithmetic, computation, number, cast, configuration, pattern, shape, design, device, motif, motive, cipher

Survey

D.com

A detailed inspection or investigation.

A gathering of a sample of data or opinions considered to be representative of a whole.

Statistical survey, a collection of quantitative information about members of a population

Census, a collection of information about every member of a population
Sampling (statistics), collecting information on only a sample of a population

Synonyms of survey

check, con, go over, inspect, peruse, scrutinize, study, traverse, view, eye, observe, regard

Baseline survey

survey to set baseline: a survey designed to establish initial conditions against which the effects of a finished project can be compared (MSN dictionary)

Rationale

the fundamental reason or reasons serving to account for something.
The rationale is that readers of research reports (i.e., decision makers, funders, etc.) will know exactly where to find the information they are looking for, regardless of the individual report.

Synonyms of rationale

logic, reason, explanation, justification, basis, exposition, grounds, motive, account, excuse, hypothesis, motivation

Objective

D.com

something that one’s efforts or actions are intended to attain or accomplish; purpose; goal; target: the objective of a military attack; the objective of a fund-raising drive.
The goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable); “the sole object of her trip was to see her children”

Synonyms of objective

concrete, corporeal, material, phenomenal, sensible, substantial, tangible, disinterested, dispassionate, equitable, impartial, indifferent

Review

A review is an evaluation of a publication, such as a movie, video game, musical composition, book, or a piece of hardware like a car, appliance, or computer. In addition to a critical statement, the review’s author may assign the work a rating to indicate its relative merit. More loosely, an author may review current events or items in the news.

the process of going over a subject again in study or recitation in order to fix it in the memory or summarize the facts.

Synonyms of review

abstract, epitomize, go over, recapitulate, run down, run through, summarize, sum up, wrap up, criticize, examination, inspection

Literature Review

A literature review discusses published information in a particular subject area, and sometimes information in a particular subject area within a certain time period.

A literature review can be just a simple summary of the sources, but it usually has an organizational pattern and combines both summary and synthesis. A summary is a recap of the important information of the source, but a synthesis is a re-organization, or a reshuffling, of that information. It might give a new interpretation of old material or combine new with old interpretations. Or it might trace the intellectual progression of the field, including major debates. And depending on the situation, the literature review may evaluate the sources and advise the reader on the most pertinent or relevant.

Data

The word data is the plural of Latin datum, “something given,” but it is not always treated as a plural noun in English.
Data refers to a collection of organised information, usually the result of experience, observation or experiment, other information within a computer system, or a set of premises. This may consist of numbers, words, or images, particularly as measurements or observations of a set of variables.

Synonyms of data

fact, intelligence, knowledge, lore, facts, information, material, scoop, values, brass tacks, chapter and verse, circumstances

Analysis

Analysis (from Greek
ἀνάλυσις, “a breaking up”) is the process of breaking a complex topic or substance into smaller parts to gain a better understanding of it. The technique has been applied in the study of mathematics and logic since before Aristotle, though analysis as a formal concept is a relatively recent development.

Synonyms of analysis

anatomy, breakdown, dissection, examination, inspection, investigation, review, survey, clinical, expository, metaphorical, relative

Data Analysis

Data analysis is a process of gathering, modeling, and transforming data with the goal of highlighting useful information, suggesting conclusions, and supporting decision making. Data analysis has multiple facets and approaches, encompassing diverse techniques under a variety of names, in different business, science, and social science domains.

Data Collection

Data collection is a term used to describe a process of preparing and collecting data – for example as part of a process improvement or similar project.
Data collection usually takes place early on in an improvement project, and is often formalised through a data collection Plan
A formal data collection process is necessary as it ensures that data gathered is both defined and accurate and that subsequent decisions based on arguments embodied in the findings are valid

Citation

A citation is a reference to a source (not always the original source), published or unpublished (citation needed). A bibliographic citation is a reference to a book, article, web page, or other published item. Citations of both types should supply sufficient detail to identify the item uniquely.Different citation systems and styles are used in scientific citation, legal citation, prior art, and the humanities.
A quoting of an authoritative source for substantiation.
a short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage;

Synonyms of citation

allegation, award, cite, encomium, excerpt, honor, mention, notice, quotation, reference, summons, writ

Title

D.com

An identifying name given to a book, play, film, musical composition, or other work.
A written work that is published or about to be published: the titles in a press’s fall catalog.
a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with; “Title 8 provided federal help for schools”

Synonyms of title

opus, volume, work, dominion, possession, pretense, pretension, claim, portion, stake, appellation, cognomen

Abstract

a summary of a text, scientific article, document, speech, etc.; epitome.

An abstract is a brief summary of a research article, thesis, review, conference
proceeding or any in-depth analysis of a particular subject or discipline, and is often used to help the reader quickly ascertain the paper’s purpose. When used, an abstract always appears at the beginning of a manuscript, acting as the point-of-entry for any given scientific paper or patent application. Abstraction and indexing services are available for a number of academic disciplines, aimed at compiling a body of literature for that particular subject.

Synonyms of abstract

hypothetical, ideal, transcendent, transcendental, academic, speculative, abridgment, brief, condensation, epitome, disassociate, disengage

Introduction

D.com

the act of introducing or the state of being introduced.
a preliminary part, as of a book, musical composition, or the like, leading up to the main part.

Synonyms of introduction

admittance, entrance, ingress, foreword, induction, overture, preamble, preface, prelude, prologue, antecedent, elementary

Background

The ground or scenery located behind something.

Synonyms of Background

past, antecedent, circumstantial, incidental, inconspicuous, unobtrusive, accompaniment, atmosphere, backdrop, circumstances, conditions, context

Result

A result is the final consequence of a sequence of actions or events (broadly incidents and accidents) expressed qualitatively or quantitatively, being a loss, injury, disadvantage, advantage, gain, victory or simply a value. There may be a range of possible outcomes associated with an event possibly depending on the point of view, historical distance or relevance.

Synonyms of result

attend, ensue, bring, bring about, bring on, effect, generate, induce, lead to, make, occasion, secure

Discussion

an act or instance of discussing; consideration or examination by argument, comment, etc., esp. to explore solutions; informal debate.
The act of discussing or exchanging reasons; examination by argument; debate; disputation; agitation.

Synonyms of discussion

parley, seminar, dialectic, forensic, agitation, argument, argumentation, canvass, colloquy, conference, consideration, conversation

Acknowledgement

D.com

Recognition of another’s existence, validity, authority, or right.
An expression of thanks or a token of appreciation.
A formal declaration made to authoritative witnesses to ensure legal validity.
a statement acknowledging something or someone

Synonyms of Acknowledgement

acknowledgment

Conclusion

The last part of anything; close; termination; end.

the last main division of a discourse, usually containing a summing up of the points and a statement of opinion or decisions reached.

Your conclusion is your chance to have the last word on the subject. The conclusion allows you to have the final say on the issues you have raised in your paper, to summarize your thoughts, to demonstrate the importance of your ideas, and to propel your reader to a new view of the subject. It is also your opportunity to make a good final impression and to end on a positive note.

Your conclusion should make your readers glad they read your paper. Your conclusion gives your reader something to take away that will help them see things differently or appreciate your topic in personally relevant ways. It can suggest broader implications that will not only interest your reader, but also enrich your reader’s life in some way. It is your gift to the reader.

Synonyms of conclusion

cease, cessation, close, closure, completion, consummation, ending, finish, period, stop, termination, finale

Recommendation

The act of recommending

anything that serves to recommend a person or thing, or induce acceptance or favor.

Synonyms of recommendation

backing, support, character, testimonial, counsel, advice, commendation, direction, instruction, reference, suggestion, advocacy

Reference

In general, a reference is a relation between objects in which one object designates by linking to another object. Such relations as these may occur in a variety of domains, including logic, computer science, time, art and scholarship. Although the objects which the term reference applies may be of a varying character ranging from concrete examples such as reference work which includes pointers or symbols. The nature of reference as a role in language and thought has been around since the 19th Century. During this time, applying itself as an important topic of discussion. An object which is referred to as a reference (where the reference leads) is called a referent.

a remark that calls attention to something or someone;

Synonyms of reference

character, recommendation, testimonial, apropos of, pertinent, aspect, citation, connection, credentials, dictionary, footnote, implication