1. Research /rɪˈsəːtʃ, ˈriːsəːtʃ/
Noun
[mass noun] (also researches)
- A careful study of a subject, especially in order to discover new facts or information about it: medical/ economic/ historical/ scientific research to do/ conduct/ undertake research.
· to study something carefully and try to discover new facts. (Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 2000, pp. 1130) Creswell said that the quantitative is termed the traditional, the positivist, the experimental, or the empiricist paradigm. Quantitative study consistent with the quantitative paradigm, is an inquiry into a social or human problem, based on testing a theory composed of a variables, measured with numbers, and analyzed with statistical procedures, in order to determine whether the predictive generalizations of the theory hold true. (Cresswell, 1994, 2-10).
3. Qualitative Research
Research studies that investigate the quality of relationships activities, situations, or materials are frequently (Fraenkel & Wallen [1990]: 36).
4. Reliability
noun \ri-ˌlī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē\
Reliability is the extent to which an experiment, test, or any measuring procedure yields the same result on repeated trials. Without the agreement of independent observers able to replicate research procedures, or the ability to use research tools and procedures that yield consistent measurements, researchers would be unable to satisfactorily draw conclusions, formulate theories, or make claims about the generalizability of their research. In addition to its important role in research, reliability is critical for many parts of our lives. (from: http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/research/relval/pop2a.cfm) 5. Validity
noun [U]
1. The state of being legally officially acceptable: The period of validity of the agreement has expired.
2. The state of being logical and true: We had doubts about the validity of their argument. (Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 2000, pp. 1130)
6. Action Research
A form of research which is becoming increasingly significant in language education is action research. This research has been defined in a number of different ways.
Cohen and manion (1985) offer a characteristics. They argue that action research is first and foremost situational, being concerned with the identification and solution of problem in specific context. They also identify collaboration as an important feature of this type of research and the aim of action research is to improve the current state of affairs within the educational context in which the research is being caarried out. (David Nunan, [1992]: 17)
7. Hypothesis
An hypothesis is a specific statement of prediction. It describes in concrete (rather than theoretical) terms what you expect will happen in your study. Not all studies have hypotheses. Sometimes a study is designed to be). There is no formal hypothesis, and perhaps the purpose of the study is to explore some area more thoroughly in order to develop some specific hypothesis or prediction that can be tested in future research. A single study may have one or many hypotheses. ( From: http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/hypothes.php)
8. Quantitative data
Are obtained when the variable being studied is measured along a scale that indicates “how much” of the variable present. Quantitave data are reported in terms of scores. (Fraenkel & Wallen [1990]: 143-144).
9. Qualitative data
Are collected in the form of words or pictures rather than numbers. The kinds of data collective in qualitative research include interview transcripts, field notes, photograph, audio recording, video tapes, diaries, personal comment, memos, official record and anything else, that can convey the actual words or actions of people. To a qualitative reseacher, no data are trivial or unworthy of notice. (Fraenkel & Wallen [1990]: 368).
10. Interpretive Analysis
An interpretive analysis is just that: a document that takes apart and explains what another author wrote. To interpret something is to put it in words that the reader can better understand. To analyze is to examine the parts of a work with the goal of determining the nature of the whole. Interpretive analysis can help discover deeper meanings within a written or artistic work. Follow these steps to write an interpretive analysis.(from: http://www.ehow.com/how_2084917_write-interpretive-analysis.html)
References
Cresswell, John W, 1994, Research Design Qualitative & Quantitative Approaches, California: SAGE Publications, Inc.
Fraenkel, Jack & Norman E. Wallen, 1990, How to Design and Evaluate Research In Education. USA: Mc Graw Hill Inc.
Hornby, AS, 2000, OXFORD ADVANCED LEARNER’S DICTIONARY, New York: Oxford University Press.
