SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCE

ASSIGNMENT
ON
RESEARCH
TERMINOLOGY

SUBMITTED TO SUBMITTED BY SUBMITTED ON

Mr. Gaurav Kohli Gouri Thakur 17 thSeptember, 2024
Professor M.Sc (N) 1 st Year
2440982201
 DEFINITIONS

1. Research: A systematic process for gathering and analyzing information to answer

questions or solve problems.
OR
Research is defined as a systematic and scientific process to answer questions about
facts and between facts. It is actively involved in seeking answers to unanswered
questions.

2. Abstract: A Clear, concise summary that communicates the essential information about
the study in research journals. It is usually located at the beginning of an article.

3. Attrition: (Subject mortality) loss of subjects during the research study.

4. Data: Units of Information or any statistics, facts, figures, journal material, evidence or
knowledge collected during the course of the study.

5. Variables: Attributes or characteristics that can have more than one value such as
height or weight. Variables are the qualities or quantities properties or characteristics of
people, things or situations that change or vary.

6. Independent variables: (Manipulated variable) Variables that are purposely

manipulated or changed by the researcher.
Example: Fever (Dependent Variable) —---PCM (Independent variable) ------Effect
on Fever(Dependent variable).

7. Dependent variables: Dependent variable is the outcome or response being measured

or observed. It is variable that changes or is affected by the Independent variable.
OR
Dependent variable can also be defined as an outcome or result being studied and the
variable being measured or observed.
Example: Amount of exercise (independent variable) ------------>Weight Loss (Dependent
Variable).

8. Demographic Variables: The characteristics and attributes of study subjects such as

age, gender, place of living, educational status, religion, social class, occupation, income
are considered as demographic variables.
9. Confounding Variables: Confounding variables are the variables which are outside
the study purpose that could influence the result of the study.

10. Operational definition: It is a clear, concise and precise explanation of how to

measure or manipulate a variable. It defines the specific procedures methods or tools
used to quantify or observe a concept , making it tangible and measurable.

11. Assumption: Basic principle that is being true on the basis of logic or reason, without
proof or verification. It is basically taken from the previous research study.

12. Hypothesis: It is defined as the prediction of the relationship between two or more
variables i.e., the dependent and independent variables is known as hypothesis.

13. Literature Review: A critical summary of a topic of research on a topic of interest

generally prepared to put a research problem in context or to identify gaps and
weaknesses in the prior studies so as to justify a new investigation.

14. Citation: Quoting the work of others in the text is known as citation.

15. Delimitations: Delimitations are the boundaries set by the researcher before starting the
study to clearly define the scope of the particular study. Delimitations are the boundaries
that are set by the researcher in order to control the range of a study.

16. Limitations: Restrictions in the study that may decrease the credibility and
generalizability of the research finding. Limitations are basically after part of the study.

17. Population: The entire set of individuals or objects having some common
characteristics selected for research study is referred to as population.

18. Target Population: The entire population in which the researchers are interested and to
which they would like to generalize the research finding.

19. Accessible Population: The aggregate of cases that confirm the designated inclusion
or exclusion criteria and that are accessible as subjects of the study.
20. Sample: (Representative)A part or subset of population selected to be participated in
the research study.
 -->Population, Target Population, Accessible Population and Sample can be
represented as shown below in the fig:-

21. Research Setting: The study setting in the location in which the research is conducted.
It could be natural, partially controlled environment or laboratories.

22. Representative Sampling: A sample whose characteristics are highly similar to that of
the population from which it is drawn.

23. Sampling: The process of selecting samples from the target population to represent the
entire population.

24. Probability Sampling: The selection of subjects or sampling units from a population
using random procedures. For example: simple random sampling stratified random
sampling.

25. Non-Probability Sampling: Non- probability sampling refers to an assembling method

where participants are selected based on conveniences, accessibility, or specific
characteristics, rather than random selection.
26. Reliability: Reliability refers to the consistency and dependability of a measure or
instrument introducing similar results under consistent conditions. It i s the ability of a
research tool or method to yield accurate and consistent data.

27. Validity: Validity refers to the accuracy, truthfulness, and meaningfulness of research
findings. It ensures that research measures what it intends to measure.

28. Pilot Study: (Miniature of Result):A pilot study is a small scale, preliminary study
conducted before a larger, main study. It is done to limit the wastage of resources and in
order to check the feasibility.
.
29. Analysis: Analysis refers to the process of systematically examining and interpreting
data to extract meaningful insights, patterns, and relationships. It involves statistical
testing.

30. .Subject: An individual who participates and provides data in a study, term used
primarily in quantitative research.

31. Theory: An abstract generalization that presents a systematic explanation about

relationships among phenomena or that thoroughly describes a phenomenon.

32. Statistic: An estimate of a parameter calculated from sample data.

33. Quantitative Data: Information collected in a numeric (quantified) form.

34. Qualitative Research: The investigation of phenomena, typically in depth fashion,

through the collection of rich narrative materials using a flexible research design.

35. Questionnaire: A written or electronic instrument used to gather self-report data via
self-administration of questions.

36. Range: A measure of variability, computed by subtracting the lowest value from the
highest value in a distribution of scores.

37. Parameter: Characteristics of population for example the mean age of all practicing
nurses.

38. Paradigm: A way of looking at natural phenomena- a worldview- that encompasses a

set of philosophical assumptions that guides personal approach to inquiry.

39. Objectivity: The extent to which two independent researchers would arrive at similar
judgment or conclusions i.e., judgments not biased by personal values or beliefs.
40. Modality: A characteristic of a frequency distribution containing the number of peaks i.e,
values with high frequencies.

41. Inductive Reasoning: The process of raising from specific observation to more general
rules.

42. Deductive Reasoning: The process of raising general observation to specific rules.

43. Index: A multi item measure, by convention differentiated from a scale in that the term
index is used for a formative measure.

44. Inquiry Audit: An independent scrutiny of qualitative data and supporting documents by
an external reviewer, to evaluate their dependability and confirm ability
.
45. Inference: In research, a conclusion drawn from study evidence, taking into account the
methods used to generate that evidence.

46. Interpretation: The process of making sense of results of a study and examining their
implications.

47. Homogeneity: The degree to which objects are similar (i.e. characterized by low
variability)on some attribute.

48. Identical sampling: And approach to sampling in mixed method studies in which all
participants are included in both the qualitative and quantitative strands.

49. Feasibility study: Research completed prior to a main intervention study to assess
whether it is sensible to proceed with the project, as distinct from a pilot study, a
feasibility assessment test specific aspects of an intervention or anticipated trial( for
example the interventions acceptability.)

50. Experimental Research: Study using a design in which the researcher controls or
manipulates the independent variable by randomly assigning participants to different
treatment conditions, randomized controlled trials use experimental designs.

51. Experimental Group: The study participants who receive the experimental treatment or
intervention.
 Bibliography

1. Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2021). *Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for
nursing practice*. Wolters Kluwer.
2. Neuman, W. L. (2014). *Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches*.
Pearson.
3. Tashakkori, A., & Teddlie, C. (2010). *SAGE handbook of mixed methods in social &
behavioral research*. Sage Publications.

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