Research Methods Overview

The starting point of any research, this is the specific problem or question that the research aims to address.

A type of research that aims to describe or summarize a phenomenon without attempting to explain its causes or relationships.

A research approach that explores the in-depth details of a specific phenomenon or experience.

A type of research that focuses on finding practical applications for theories or creating products based on existing ideas.

A characteristic of research that involves following a structured and systematic plan to ensure accuracy and reliability.

A characteristic of research that emphasizes the use of empirical evidence and scientific methods to support claims.

The act of using someone else's work without giving credit.

A situation where someone uses another's work without giving proper attribution, even if unintentional.

Presenting someone else's ideas or words as your own, even if you acknowledge the source, is considered plagiarism.

The ethical principle that ensures researchers treat their participants with respect, fairness, and honesty.

The act of expressing someone else's ideas or information in your own words while giving credit to the original source.

The practice of acknowledging the sources you use in your research or writing.

It shows respect for the intellectual property of others, clarifies the connection between your work and the source material, and helps readers verify your information.

You are allowed to use information from a website as long as you properly cite the source.

The act of using someone else's work as if it were your own, without proper attribution.

Surrounding a directly copied phrase or sentence with quotation marks.

Data that was collected by someone else for a different research purpose but is being used by you for your own study.

A questionnaire is more convenient for large sample sizes as it can be distributed easily and less time-consuming than interviews.

Interviewing is best suited for in-depth and personalized information, while questionnaires are better for large-scale studies.

Data that is collected directly by the researcher for a specific study.

Secondary data must be reliable, accurate, and appropriate for your research topic.

A research method that involves directly observing a phenomenon or behavior to collect data.

A structured observation is best for descriptive research where you want to systematically document specific behaviors or events.

The process of gathering information to answer research questions.

Primary data can be collected through various methods like experiments, surveys, interviews, and observations.

Textbooks, journals, newspapers, and websites are all sources of secondary data.

Secondary data sources refer to publications, reports, documents, and other materials created by others.

Secondary sources, like textbooks, provide summarized information based on primary research.

Both primary and secondary data can need adjustments to suit the specific goals and needs of a particular research study.

A collection of information about people, objects, or phenomena.

Data collected from The IEEE journals is considered secondary data as it was initially collected for a different purpose.

Primary data is favored when accuracy and reliability are essential and resources allow for direct data collection.

Primary and secondary data sources are the two main categories of data used in research.

Reports of committees and commissions fall under secondary data sources, not primary data collection methods.

Primary data collection generally involves more costs as it requires direct research efforts and resources.

Interviews and observations, questionnaires and surveys, primary sources and secondary sources, and books and journals are all common methods for data collection.

Secondary sources are pre-existing information, such as publications, documents, reports, etc., that were compiled by others.

Shoes are not data because they cannot be measured or analyzed in a research context.

The mailed questionnaire method allows researchers to reach a wide range of respondents across geographical regions.

A good questionnaire should be concise, clear, and contain only the necessary questions to ensure accurate and relevant information is gathered.

The telephone interview method allows for quick data collection as numerous respondents can be reached within a short period.

Primary data is collected directly from the source and not from existing reports.

Primary data is firsthand data collected directly from the source.

Diary notes are considered primary sources as they represent personal observations and experiences.

Personal accounts from family members are primary sources as they represent firsthand experiences.

A tool used to gather data from participants through a set of structured questions.

Primary data is collected directly by the researcher through methods like conducting surveys, interviews, or experiments.

A photograph captured at a specific event is considered a primary source as it provides direct visual evidence.

Surveys, interviews, and drawings are all methods for collecting primary data because they involve firsthand gathering of information.

An open-ended question allows respondents to provide their own detailed answers, while a closed-ended question provides limited options.

The first step in critical thinking is to clearly understand the problem or issue you are trying to address.

Developing critical thinking skills helps you evaluate information and make informed decisions.

Critical thinking is an essential skill for navigating the complex world around us.

Critical thinking skills help you to analyze, evaluate, and solve problems by being open-minded, logical, and analytical.

Critical thinking is an active process that involves questioning, analyzing, and evaluating information, which often involves using technology.

Teachers can encourage critical thinking by creating a classroom environment that fosters independent thinking, questioning, and problem-solving.

If you take four apples from a bowl of six, you will have four apples in your possession.

You would need to light the match first in order to light any of the other items.

Electric trains do not produce smoke since they run on electricity.

The word 'incorrectly' is spelled incorrectly.

Being an active talker is not a core quality of a critical thinker, although effective communication is important.

Critical thinking skills are applicable in various situations, including academics, work, research, and personal life.

Inference as a critical thinking skill is about drawing logical conclusions based on evidence and reasoning.

Once you define and analyze the problem, your communication, analysis, and reasoning skills become crucial for finding solutions.

Selfish thinking, intolerance, time constraints, and social conditioning are all barriers to critical thinking.

Personal biases can cloud judgment and prevent you from making objective decisions.

Open communication and collaboration through techniques like discussion and brainstorming sessions can help overcome selfish thinking.

Intolerance prevents you from considering various perspectives, while inference is a crucial critical thinking skill.

The first step in problem-solving involves identifying and understanding the issue.

The problem-solving process involves analyzing the problem, exploring potential solutions, and implementing the chosen solution.

Using figures in technical reports is essential for providing visual representations of data and enhancing the clarity of the report.

Each figure within a report should have a title and a number, typically placed above the figure.

The appendix contains supplementary information that is not essential for the main text of the report but provides further context or details.

A good title is concise and accurately describes the content of the section or report.

The abstract is a brief summary of the entire research report, typically written after the rest of the report is completed.

Each table should have a title and a number, typically placed above the table.

The conclusion section of a report summarizes the key findings, discusses their significance, and provides insights into the overall understanding.

When data is visualized, it becomes information that is easier to understand, interpret, and draw conclusions from.

The process of cleaning data involves fixing or removing incorrect, corrupted, or incorrectly formatted data to ensure data quality and accuracy.

The abstract summarizes the entire research study, providing a concise overview of the research problem, methodology, findings, and conclusion.

Data analyst skills include a range of abilities, such as statistics, data visualization, problem-solving, communication, and domain expertise.

Qualitative data encompasses words, images, and narratives that emphasize the meanings, interpretations, and experiences behind a phenomenon.

A job description mentioning Excel, SQL Server, and Tableau likely indicates that the role is for a data analyst, as these tools are commonly used in data analysis tasks.

Quantitative data is numerical and measurable data.

Discrete data is numerical data that represents countable items, like the number of students in a class.

Interval data represents values on a numerical scale where the intervals between values are equal and meaningful.

Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is a ratio data because it expresses a ratio of earned grade points to total credit hours, with a clear zero point.

Descriptive statistics methods provide summaries of the data, like calculating the mean, median, mode, variance, and standard deviation.

Inferential statistics methods help draw conclusions about a population based on a sample, using techniques like hypothesis testing.

Data visualization involves presenting data in visual formats like charts, graphs, and maps, making it easier to understand patterns and insights.

While data visualization is important, data exploration, collection, and preparation are also essential skills for data analysts.

In interval data, the differences between each interval on a numerical scale are equal.

Domain knowledge refers to specialized knowledge of a specific subject that an analyst might work in.

Data exploration is the process of examining and understanding data before analysis and processing, not transforming raw data.

Ethical research principles include avoiding harm to participants, seeking informed consent, and being honest and transparent.

Ethical issues can arise in internet research because respondents may be anonymous, making it difficult to ensure informed consent and data accuracy.

Qualitative research is typically used when a great deal is already known about the topic. However, it is most often used when you want to explore new ideas and have a small sample.

The researcher’s research diary represents the researcher's own personal observations, making it a primary source.

Secondary data may have been collected to answer different research questions, potentially making it unsuitable or unreliable for your specific needs.

Data collected directly from the source is primary data, whereas secondary data is collected and compiled by others.

A step-by-step process that ensures accuracy and objectivity in research.

Research based on observable and measurable evidence, using scientific methods.

The practice of acknowledging the sources you used in your research or writing.

A method of data collection that involves observing the behavior of individuals or groups.

The ability to analyze, evaluate, and problem-solve in a logical and objective way.

A barrier to critical thinking that can cloud judgment and prevent objective decision making.

The first step in problem-solving is identifying and understanding the issue.

The process of presenting data in visual formats like charts, graphs, and maps.

The process of fixing or removing incorrect, corrupted, or incorrectly formatted data.

Descriptive statistics methods provide summaries of the data, such as calculating the mean, median, mode, variance, and standard deviation.

Inferential statistics methods help draw conclusions about a population based on a sample, using techniques like hypothesis testing.

A visual representation of data that shows a change in one function in relation to a change in another.

A specialized knowledge of a specific subject that an analyst might work in.

A set of ethical guidelines that ensure researchers treat their participants with respect and honesty.

The process of examining and understanding data before analysis and processing.

A characteristic of research that involves following a structured and systematic plan to ensure accuracy and reliability.