Lesson 3 - Research Process Flashcards
What is the research process?
The research process is a systematic series of steps followed to conduct research, ensuring logical investigation, data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
What is the importance of identifying a research problem?
A research problem sets the foundation for the study, defines the focus, and ensures the research addresses a meaningful issue.
What are the 8 essential steps in the research process?
Identify the research problem
Review existing literature
Define research objectives & hypothesis
Choose research methodology & design
Collect data
Analyze and interpret data
Present results & discussion
Write and publish research report
Why is a literature review important in research?
It helps understand previous studies, identify research gaps, refine research questions, and establish a theoretical foundation.
What are the characteristics of a good research question?
A good research question is specific, clear, researchable, and allows for meaningful analysis.
What is the role of research objectives and hypotheses in research?
Research objectives define the study’s goals, while a hypothesis is a testable statement predicting the relationship between variables.
What are the major types of research design?
Experimental, descriptive, correlational, case study, qualitative, and mixed-methods research
What are the two main types of data collection?
Primary Data – Collected first-hand via experiments, surveys, interviews.
Secondary Data – Obtained from existing sources like journals, books, government reports.
What are key guidelines for presenting data?
Tables should have clear titles and numbering.
Data should be organized logically (chronologically, alphabetically, etc.).
Represent data in tables, graphs, or charts for clarity.
What are the main methods of data analysis?
Quantitative Analysis – Uses statistics, percentages, and numerical data.
Qualitative Analysis – Uses text interpretation, coding, and thematic analysis.
What are common challenges in data analysis?
Bias in data collection, data inconsistency, misinterpretation, and unreliable data sources.
What are the main sections of a research report?
Abstract
Introduction
Review of Literature
Problem Definition & Objectives
Methodology
Observations & Results
Discussion
Summary & Conclusion
Bibliography/References
Appendices
Why is research report writing important?
Research reports communicate findings, contribute to academic knowledge, and validate research results for future reference.
What are the key features of good research?
Clearly defined objectives
Well-structured methodology
Logical and evidence-supported conclusions
Replicable and generalizable findings
Ethical research practices
What are the two key logical thinking approaches in research?
Inductive Reasoning – Deriving theories from observations.
Deductive Reasoning – Testing theories using data and experiments.
What are the fundamental principles of scientific research?
Pose significant research questions.
Link research to existing theories.
Use systematic data collection and investigation.
Ensure logical reasoning and coherence.
Replicate and generalize findings across studies.
Disclose research for peer review and critique
Why is replicability important in research?
Replicability ensures that research findings are reliable and can be confirmed through repeated studies.
Why is peer review important?
Peer review validates the quality, credibility, and accuracy of research before publication.
What are some common research challenges?
Poor problem formulation
Limited literature sources
Biased data collection
Errors in data analysis
Lack of proper research funding
What are the key ethical considerations in research?
Informed consent, confidentiality, avoiding bias, and ensuring honesty in data collection and reporting.
What are the key components of research publication?
Clear research objectives
Well-defined methodology
Comprehensive data analysis
Logical conclusions
Peer-reviewed validation
