Research Methodology Essentials

Data that is coded to facilitate measurement or statistical understanding.

A method of analyzing texts to uncover latent meanings and patterns.

The meaning that is implied or hidden within a text, but not explicitly stated.

A systematic approach to research that follows a pre-arranged method.

A group of texts selected to represent a larger population or universe of texts.

The process of selecting texts that accurately reflect the population or group of interest.

The format in which a text is produced, such as written, visual, or spoken.

A detailed explanation of the research problem, often including a hypothesis or research question.

Data gathered by measurement. Ex: a set of heights of students in a class.

Describing a single set of data.

Number of observations for each category or variable. Ex: the number of students who scored 80% or above on a test.

The difference between the highest and lowest values.

The middle value when data is arranged from least to greatest.

The average of all values in a data set.

The average difference of each observation from the mean. It tells you how spread out the data is.

The relationship between two distributions. Ex: the relationship between height and weight.

A principle of ethical research that emphasizes minimizing harm and maximizing benefits for participants.

A committee that reviews research proposals to ensure ethical guidelines are followed.

Any negative effect on the well-being of research participants.

The likelihood and magnitude of potential harm to research participants.

Research risks that are no greater than those encountered in everyday life.

A research participant's freedom to choose whether or not to participate in a study without coercion.

A research method that collects data from a large, representative sample through structured questionnaires.

Concepts or ideas that are difficult to quantify or measure objectively.

The characteristics of a sample mirror those of the entire population. For example, if a population is 60% female, a representative sample should also be 60% female.

A survey research design focuses on gaining insights from employees' perspectives rather than solely relying on management's viewpoint. This can reveal valuable information about workplace experiences and challenges.

Surveys offer a brief interaction with each participant, making them faster compared to group discussions like focus groups.

Surveys can be conducted by assistants, making them a cost-effective method compared to hiring professionals for focus groups.

Surveys allow flexibility in adapting the method to participant availability and convenience, increasing participation rates.

Surveys provide less detailed information per participant compared to interviews or focus groups, potentially reducing data depth and reliability.

Ethical considerations in research ensure participants are treated with dignity and respect, and their privacy is protected. Avoid any undue risk or harm to participants.

A sample frame is a precisely defined group from which participants are recruited for a survey. It should be relevant to the research topic and represent the target population.

Observing social formations or groups in their natural environment to understand their structure, functioning, and culture.

A form of observation research where the researcher actively participates in the activities of the social group being studied.

A method of evaluating a social formation by understanding its components and their operations.

Focusing on the cultural aspects of a social formation, including beliefs, values, and behaviors.

Observing the processes within a social formation to analyze how structures affect outcomes.

Data collected firsthand from the actual social formation being studied.

Rich, detailed data gathered from observation research.

The potential for bias or inaccurate information due to limited sources or poorly selected social formations.

A written argument supporting a particular claim, often with a subjective perspective.

A statement or question that summarizes the main point of a research project. It guides the research process and provides a focus for the investigation.

The process of reviewing existing research on your topic to understand previous approaches and findings.

The systematic way in which you gather information for your research. Examples include surveys, experiments, interviews.

Making sense of the data you have collected, drawing conclusions, and identifying insights based on your findings.

A set of beliefs and assumptions that shape how a researcher approaches a problem. Different perspectives can lead to different conclusions, and it is important to be aware of your own.

A research approach that aims to capture and understand the subjective experiences and meanings of individuals within a social context.

Research aimed to understand how communication and cultural practices are utilized and can be used to challenge power dynamics and social inequalities.

A collection of primary sources that provide direct evidence of the topic being studied. They are often found in archives.

A collection of unpublished documents and related materials maintained in their original format. These collections can be very valuable for researchers.

The use of two or more independent sources to verify the accuracy of data or evidence. It's like checking multiple sources to confirm a fact.

A research design that involves studying a specific individual, group, event or case in detail. A specific case is analyzed to understand patterns or develop theory.

The process of converting qualitative data into codes (numbers or symbols) to allow for counting and statistical analysis.

A systematic guide that defines the codes used in a research program. The codebook helps ensure the reliability and consistency of the coding process.

The probability of finding a particular value in a data set. It is often presented as a percentage or proportion.

A committee that reviews research proposals to ensure that ethical guidelines are followed. The REB protects both the participants and the researchers.

A survey research design that focuses on gaining insights from employees' perspectives rather than solely relying on management's viewpoint. This can reveal valuable information about workplace experiences and challenges.

A method of evaluating a social formation by understanding its components and their operations.

Focusing on the cultural aspects of a social formation, including beliefs, values, and behaviors. This helps to understand the unique character of the group or organization.

Observing the processes within a social formation to analyze how structures affect outcomes. This helps to understand how the design or organization of a group can shape what happens within it.