Glossary
Alignment
The consistency and coherence between different components of your research, particularly ensuring that your research method directly addresses and can answer your research question.
Example:
The student ensured strong Alignment by choosing a survey method that directly gathered data relevant to their question about student preferences for extracurricular activities.
Discipline-specific style
A particular citation and formatting style (e.g., MLA, APA, Chicago) that is standard within a specific academic field or discipline for consistency and clarity.
Example:
For their psychology paper, the student used APA, the Discipline-specific style preferred in social sciences, ensuring all citations and formatting followed its guidelines.
Evidence Use
The effective and appropriate integration of data, facts, and information from your research to support and substantiate your claims and arguments.
Example:
The researcher's argument was strengthened by meticulous Evidence Use, citing specific data points from their experiments to back every claim about the chemical reaction.
Identifying a Gap
The crucial step of pinpointing an area within existing research that has not been fully explored or answered, which your study aims to address.
Example:
After reviewing numerous studies on student stress, a researcher noticed that none specifically addressed stress levels in online-only high school students, thus Identifying a Gap for their project.
Implications
The broader significance or consequences of your research findings, suggesting what your work means for the field, future research, or practical applications.
Example:
The study's Implications for educational policy included a recommendation for increased funding for arts programs, given their positive correlation with student engagement.
Limitations
Factors or constraints in your research design or execution that restrict the scope, generalizability, or certainty of your findings, which must be acknowledged and explained.
Example:
A Limitation of the study on local bird populations was that data collection was restricted to only one season, meaning the findings might not apply year-round.
Line of Reasoning
The logical progression and connection of claims, evidence, and ideas throughout your research paper, demonstrating how your argument unfolds systematically.
Example:
The student's paper had a clear Line of Reasoning, moving from background information to methodology, then to results, and finally to a well-supported conclusion.
Literature Review
A comprehensive survey of existing scholarly works and research related to your topic, providing context and demonstrating your understanding of the academic conversation.
Example:
Before starting their experiment on plant growth, a student conducted a Literature Review to understand previous studies on soil composition and light exposure, ensuring their research built upon existing knowledge.
New Understanding/Conclusion
The justified outcome of your research, presenting a logical progression of claims supported by evidence, while acknowledging limitations and discussing implications.
Example:
The study's New Understanding/Conclusion revealed that daily mindfulness exercises significantly reduced test anxiety in high school students, suggesting a practical intervention for schools.
Plagiarism Prevention
The practice of properly citing and attributing all sources using a consistent, discipline-specific style to avoid presenting others' work or ideas as your own.
Example:
Through diligent in-text citations and a comprehensive bibliography, the student demonstrated strong Plagiarism Prevention, giving credit to every source they consulted.
Professional Tone
A formal, objective, and respectful writing style appropriate for academic audiences, avoiding slang, colloquialisms, and overly casual language.
Example:
When writing their research paper, the student maintained a Professional Tone, using precise academic vocabulary and avoiding personal anecdotes.
Qualitative
A research method approach that focuses on non-numerical data, such as interviews, observations, and textual analysis, to explore meanings, experiences, and perspectives.
Example:
To understand students' feelings about online learning, a researcher conducted in-depth interviews, utilizing a Qualitative method to gather rich, descriptive data.
Quantitative
A research method approach that focuses on numerical data, measurements, and statistical analysis to identify patterns, test hypotheses, and generalize findings.
Example:
A study measuring the average test scores of students using different teaching methods would employ a Quantitative approach, relying on numbers and statistics.
Replicable
A characteristic of a research method indicating that it is described with enough detail and clarity for another researcher to precisely duplicate the study and potentially verify the results.
Example:
The experimental procedure was so detailed, including exact measurements and equipment specifications, that it was easily Replicable by other scientists in different labs.
Research Method
The systematic approach or procedure used to collect and analyze data to answer your research question, which must be detailed, defensible, and replicable.
Example:
For a study on consumer preferences, a student chose a survey as their Research Method, carefully designing questions to gather quantitative data on product appeal.
Topic Focus
The process of narrowing your research subject to a manageable scope, ensuring it is specific enough to be addressed within available time and resources.
Example:
Instead of researching 'climate change,' a student might choose to focus on 'the impact of rising sea levels on coastal erosion in the Outer Banks of North Carolina over the last decade' to achieve a clear Topic Focus.
Writing Conventions
The established rules and practices for academic writing, including organization, design, grammar, style, and precision, which enhance the clarity and professionalism of your communication.
Example:
To ensure their paper was clear and professional, the student meticulously checked their grammar, punctuation, and formatting, adhering to all Writing Conventions.