Research, Abstracts, and Methodology

• Research is a systematic method for answering questions.

Research Paper

• An academic writing that provides analysis, interpretation, and arguments.

Abstract

• A concise summary of completed research.
• Describe the work without detail.
• Must be self-contained.

Introduction

• Part after title and abstract.
• Moves from general subject to specific topic.
• Establishes scope, context, and significance by:
  • Summarizing topic information.
  • Stating the work's purpose.
  • Explaining the methodology.
  • Highlighting potential outcomes.
  • Outlining the paper's structure.

Literature Review

• Overview of explored sources.
• Demonstrates research fit within a larger field.
• Provides overview of current knowledge.
• Identifies relevant theories, methods, and gaps.

Hypothesis

• Statement of expectation or prediction.
• The researcher's guess on the result.

Methodology

• Systematic method to resolve a research problem.
• Includes data gathering, interpretation, and conclusion.

Population

• The entire group from which to draw conclusions.
• Not always people, but contains elements for study.

Sample

• A smaller subgroup of the population.
• The specific group from which data is collected.
• The group who will participate in the study.

Study Participants

• Respondents: Answer questionnaires (quantitative).
• Participants: Participate in qualitative studies, giving detailed answers.
• Subjects: People in the researcher's experiment (quantitative).

Variable

• Any factor, trait, or condition that can be manipulated, controlled, or measured.
  • Independent Variable (IV): Changed or manipulated, assumed to directly affect the DV.
  • Dependent Variable (DV): Responds to change, being tested and measured; dependent on the IV.

Research Instrument

• Any tool used to collect, measure, and analyze data.

Questionnaire

• The main instrument for collecting data.
• Set of standardized questions following a fixed scheme.
• Each question is an item.

Data

• Any information collected, observed, generated, or created.

Discussion

• Interprets and describes the significance of the findings.
• Explains any new understanding or insights.

Conclusion

• Helps readers understand why the research matters.
• Synthesis of key points.

Appendix

• Contains supplementary materials.
• Includes a copy of the research instrument.