Glossary
Assumptions
Beliefs or conditions that are taken for granted as true without proof, which can influence a study's design or conclusions and may be challenged.
Example:
A study on student engagement might operate under the assumption that all students have equal access to technology, which, if untrue, could skew the results.
Critical Evaluation
The process of carefully and objectively assessing a research study, including its strengths, weaknesses, assumptions, and the validity of its conclusions and implications.
Example:
Performing a critical evaluation of a scientific paper involves questioning the sample size, potential biases, and whether the conclusions are fully supported by the evidence presented.
Future Research
New research questions or studies that are suggested or necessitated by the findings, gaps, or limitations of a current study.
Example:
A study showing a link between sleep and academic performance might prompt future research into specific sleep interventions that could improve student grades.
Implications
The potential consequences, effects, or future directions that stem from a research study, revealing its broader impact and suggesting new avenues for inquiry.
Example:
After a study found that daily meditation reduces stress, a key implication is that schools might consider incorporating mindfulness practices into their curriculum to support student well-being.
Limitations Section
A part of a research paper where authors discuss the constraints, weaknesses, or boundaries of their study, often hinting at areas for future research.
Example:
When reading a paper about online learning, checking the limitations section might reveal that the study only included college students, suggesting its findings may not apply to K-12 education.
Methodology
The systematic approach, methods, and procedures used in a research study to collect and analyze data.
Example:
A researcher's choice of a qualitative interview methodology for studying student experiences provides rich, in-depth insights, unlike a quantitative survey that might offer broader but shallower data.