Research Terms and Definitions

• Study notes based on the provided text

Definition of Terms

• A section that lists and explains terms used in the research.
• Operational terms refer to how a term is used specifically within the research paper.
• Plagiarism is knowingly using someone else's work and presenting it as your own, either directly or indirectly.
• Technical plagiarism is a type of plagiarism where the citer fails to properly cite sources.
• Fraud is the act of presenting false information to complete a study.
• Research design serves as a guide for collecting data relevant to the research topic.
• In phenomenology, the design focuses on interpreting the participants' lived experiences to understand the meaning of these experiences.
• Ethnography studies people in their natural settings, detailing their lives, behaviors, cultures, traditions, and practices.
• Grounded theory involves collecting and analyzing data to develop a theory that is "grounded" in the data.
• A case study comprehensively examines a specific individual, group, or institution.
• Historical design focuses on identifying, locating, evaluating, and synthesizing data from past events.
• Primary sources contain firsthand information.
• Secondhand sources provide information based on other works or resources.
• Population refers to the group from which study participants are selected.
• Samples are the selected participants in the study.
• Sampling is the process of selecting respondents.
• Probability sampling ensures all members of the population have an equal chance of being selected.
• Non-probability sampling does not aim to generalize results, so not every population member has a chance to participate.
• Simple-random sampling involves randomly selecting samples, like through a lottery or fishbowl method.
• Purposive sampling selects samples based on specific criteria related to the study's objectives.

Data Collection Methods and Instruments

• Interviews gather detailed information about experiences, opinions, and feelings by asking participants questions.
• Individual interviews are one-on-one conversations for personal perspectives (e.g., asking a doctor about experiences in public health).
• Group interviews involve discussions with groups of people.
• Focus groups gather individuals with specific characteristics (e.g., doctors discussing public health).
• Natural groups are existing groups like families or school departments.
• Unstructured interviews feature open-ended questions.
• Structured interviews have pre-determined questions.
• Semi-structured interviews combine both structured and unstructured approaches.
• Observations involve observing participants in their natural setting to gather data about behaviors and interactions.
• In participant observation, the researcher is actively involved in the setting while observing.
• Direct observation involves the researcher observing without participating.
• Questionnaires use lists of questions for participants to answer in writing.
• Unstructured questionnaires have open-ended questions.
• Structured questionnaires have closed-ended questions which have pre-defined answer choices.
• Types of questions: Yes/No, Recognition, Completion, Coding, Subjective.
• Document collection involves examining existing documents like memos, reports, and literature.
• The choice of data collection method depends on the research question, the type of data needed, and available resources.

Data Analysis Procedures

• Qualitative data analysis involves interpreting textual data to extract meaningful insights.
• Coding is a systematic process for identifying themes and patterns within the data.

Three Levels of Coding

• Open coding categorizes data into initial themes and categories.
• Axial coding explores relationships by connecting categories.
• Selective coding forms a coherent narrative by selecting core categories.
• Research methodology details how the study was conducted.
• Results present findings without interpretation or bias.
• Align results with research questions
• Avoid commentary in results
• Results should be clearly structured
• Restate key elements
• The restatement provides context to readers who may have skipped prior chapters and helps them understand the foundations of the findings

Guidelines for Writing the Discussion Section:

• Focus on objectives and questions
• Structure to move from specific to general points
• Link to existing literature and theories
• Follow writing conventions

Summary

• The research summary should briefly mention the research problem, respondents, methodology, data gathering, analysis, and interpretation.
• List the findings by first stating the research question followed by the findings

Conclusion

• The conclusion should omit numerical data.
• Base the conclusions on findings and not personal opinions
• Address each research problem directly and in order
• Be presented concisely and confidently
• Use original wording instead of repeats from research

Recommendations

• The research recommendations should be concise with bullet points.
• Should focus on practical suggestions
• Present action-based recommendations