Introduction to Research Methods
Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in Leadership in Health and Social Care: Research Methods course at London School of Business and Administration. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Introduction to Research Methods Glossary #
Introduction to Research Methods Glossary
1 #
Action Research
Action research is a type of research that involves active participation in a re… #
It is often used in social sciences and education to bring about change in practice. Action research typically involves a cyclical process of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting.
Example #
A group of teachers conducting action research to improve student engagement in the classroom by implementing new teaching strategies and assessing their effectiveness.
2 #
Bias
Bias refers to systematic errors or deviations from the true value in research r… #
Bias can occur at any stage of the research process, including sampling, data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
Example #
A researcher inadvertently influences study participants' responses by phrasing questions in a way that leads to biased answers.
3 #
Case Study
A case study is a research method that involves an in #
depth investigation of a single individual, group, or event. Case studies are often used in qualitative research to provide detailed descriptions and insights into specific phenomena.
Example #
A psychologist conducting a case study to explore the impact of trauma on an individual's mental health and coping mechanisms.
4 #
Data Analysis
Data analysis is the process of inspecting, cleansing, transforming, and modelin… #
Data analysis can involve both quantitative and qualitative techniques.
Example #
A researcher using statistical software to analyze survey data and identify patterns or relationships between variables.
5 #
Ethics
Ethics in research refers to the principles, values, and guidelines that govern… #
Ethical considerations include respect for participants' rights, informed consent, confidentiality, and minimizing harm.
Example #
A researcher obtaining approval from an institutional review board (IRB) before conducting a study involving human participants to ensure ethical standards are met.
6 #
Focus Group
A focus group is a qualitative research technique that involves gathering a smal… #
Focus groups are used to explore attitudes, beliefs, opinions, and experiences.
Example #
A market researcher conducting focus groups to gather feedback on a new product design and identify consumer preferences.
7 #
Grounded Theory
Grounded theory is a qualitative research method that aims to develop theories o… #
Grounded theory involves a systematic process of data collection, coding, and theory development.
Example #
A sociologist using grounded theory to study the social interactions and behaviors of a specific group and develop a theory to explain their actions.
8 #
Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a testable statement or prediction that explains the relationshi… #
Hypotheses are used to guide the research process and determine the outcomes of the study.
Example #
A scientist formulating a hypothesis that predicts a causal relationship between exposure to sunlight and vitamin D levels in the body.
9 #
Informed Consent
Informed consent is the process of obtaining permission from research participan… #
Informed consent is essential to ensure participants' autonomy and protection.
Example #
A researcher providing potential participants with a detailed explanation of the study and obtaining their written consent before including them in the research.
10 #
Justification
Justification in research refers to providing reasons or explanations for the ch… #
Justification helps establish the validity and reliability of the research process.
Example #
A researcher explaining the selection of a specific sampling method in the study based on the population characteristics and research objectives.
11 #
Key Informant
A key informant is an individual who has specialized knowledge, expertise, or ex… #
Key informants are often used in qualitative research to enhance understanding.
Example #
A public health researcher consulting with a key informant from the local community to gather information on health behaviors and practices.
12 #
Literature Review
A literature review is a critical examination and synthesis of existing research… #
Literature reviews help researchers identify gaps, trends, and debates in the field.
Example #
A student conducting a literature review to explore the impact of social media on mental health and summarize findings from previous studies.
13 #
Mixed Methods
Mixed methods research is a research design that combines qualitative and quanti… #
Mixed methods research often involves integrating different data sources.
Example #
A sociologist using mixed methods research to study the effectiveness of a community health intervention by collecting survey data and conducting qualitative interviews with participants.
14 #
Null Hypothesis
The null hypothesis is a statement that suggests there is no significant relatio… #
The null hypothesis is typically tested against an alternative hypothesis to determine the statistical significance of the results.
Example #
A researcher formulating a null hypothesis that there is no difference in blood pressure levels between two groups receiving different treatments.
15 #
Observation
Observation is a research method that involves systematically watching and recor… #
Observational research can be either participant observation, where the researcher is involved in the activities, or non-participant observation.
Example #
An anthropologist conducting observations of a tribal community's cultural practices and social interactions to document their traditions.
16 #
Paradigm
A paradigm in research refers to a set of beliefs, assumptions, values, and prac… #
Different research paradigms influence the choice of research methods and approaches.
Example #
A researcher adopting a feminist paradigm to study gender inequality and social justice issues in organizations.
17 #
Qualitative Research
Qualitative research is a research method that focuses on understanding and inte… #
Qualitative research is used to explore complex issues, meanings, and experiences.
Example #
A psychologist conducting qualitative research to explore the lived experiences of individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder.
18 #
Reliability
Reliability in research refers to the consistency, stability, or repeatability o… #
A study is considered reliable if it produces consistent results when repeated under similar conditions.
Example #
A researcher testing the reliability of a survey instrument by administering it to the same group of participants on two separate occasions and comparing the results.
19 #
Sampling
Sampling in research refers to the process of selecting a subset of individuals,… #
Different sampling techniques such as random sampling, stratified sampling, and convenience sampling can be used.
Example #
A researcher using cluster sampling to select schools as clusters and then randomly selecting students within those schools for a study on academic performance.
20 #
Theory
A theory in research is a well #
developed explanation or framework that integrates and organizes existing knowledge, concepts, and empirical evidence to explain a phenomenon or predict outcomes. Theories help researchers understand relationships and make predictions.
Example #
A sociologist using social learning theory to explain how individuals acquire behaviors through observation and imitation of others.
21 #
Validity
Validity in research refers to the accuracy, truthfulness, or credibility of res… #
Validity assesses whether the study measures what it claims to measure and whether the results are generalizable or applicable.
Example #
A researcher using multiple methods to establish the validity of a study on stress management interventions in the workplace.
22 #
Variable
A variable in research is a characteristic, attribute, or phenomenon that can va… #
Variables can be independent variables (causes) or dependent variables (outcomes) and can be categorical or continuous.
Example #
In a study on the effects of exercise on heart health, the independent variable is the type of exercise, and the dependent variable is the participants' heart rate.
23. X #
axis
The x #
axis is the horizontal line on a graph or chart that represents the independent variable in a research study. The x-axis is used to plot and display the values of the independent variable, typically from low to high.
Example #
In a bar graph comparing the average test scores of students in different classes, the x-axis would represent the class names (e.g., Class A, Class B, Class C).
24 #
Yield
Yield in research refers to the amount of usable data or information obtained fr… #
A high yield indicates that the study was successful in generating relevant and valuable findings.
Example #
A researcher assessing the yield of a survey study by examining the response rate, completeness of responses, and quality of data collected.
25. Z #
score
A z #
score is a statistical measure that quantifies the number of standard deviations a data point is from the mean of a dataset. Z-scores are used to standardize and compare data points across different distributions.
Example #
A researcher calculating the z-score of a participant's test score to determine how it compares to the average performance of all participants.