Some quick and simple definitions of common research terms to help you remember better.
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Research
A step-by-step approach to investigate – an existing scenario or an issue- and provide an explanation or solution through exploration and experimentation using your domain knowledge
Research Problem
The issue that requires solution/rectification/ improvement/explanation.
Research Question
The question stating a specific parameter of the problem which the researcher is going to solve or improve using a particular approach in this research
Hypothesis
A possible explanation for an existing unexplained situation
Research Design
Action plan of research, which lists: ‘How,’ ‘What’ and ‘When’ specific approaches will be employed to solve the problem under study.
Aim
A broad explanation of ‘what all’ do you plan to achieve from this study (1-2 lines)
Objectives
Listing of ‘how do you plan to achieve’ the aim (max 5)
Output
‘What did you achieve’ in this research? (short-term goal)
Outcome
‘What benefit/value addition do you expect’ from research? (long-term goal)
Goal
A ‘specific output or target that you desire to achieve’ through this research. (specificity is the key)
Deliverables
Represents ‘all’ qualifiable or quantifiable products from the particular research
Title
Research heading detailing ‘what’ (this research is about), ‘on-what.’ (this study is being done), and the source of the study.
Abstract
A concise write-up of research encompassing the objective, method, result, and conclusion of the particular study. (Max 1 page)
Conclusion
The sum-up of a particular experiment or chapter of the study
Discussion
A detailed explanation of the result (why this? and how this?) backed with references
Summary
Elaborate write-up of research detailing ‘why’ (this research), ‘why-this.’ (knowledge gap), ‘how’ (approaches), aim, output, outcomes, and deliverables (Max 2-3 page)
Method
An experimental activity or process to complete a task for the research
Procedure
A series of step that make-up to a method
Step
Singular action or a part of the method
Sensitivity
How little is required for the result to appear
Resolution
How easy it is to differentiate one sample/results from the other
Sample
The source on which the study is based on
Or
The source on which which you are going to fulfill the aim of the study.
Or
Sample solution = Reagents + unknown amount of substance under study.
Control
The source with helps in confirming whether the procedure is done properly
Or
The source with which you compare the output of the sample to show a significant difference/ explanation/impact of the sample studied
Or
Control Solututon= Reagents+known amount of substance understudy
Standard
The source which confirms the identity and quality of the sample
Or
The source whether the result is correct/assumption is right that the result observed is due to sample
Or
Standard Solution= Reagents+ fixed amount of substance under study
Blank
The source which is anything but the sample
Or
The source which proves that the output is obtained only if the sample is there
Or
Control Solution= Reagents only
False-positive
A result that appears positive but is negative!
False-negative
A result that appears negative but is positive!
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