This document defines key terminology used in basic research. It defines concepts as general ideas referring to behaviors or characteristics, and constructs as observable concepts specified to facilitate testing. Variables are defined as measurable concepts that can vary, with dependent variables influenced by independent variables. Conceptual definitions describe variables from a theoretical framework, while operational definitions specify how variables will be measured. Assumptions are statements taken as principles without proof, and hypotheses predict relationships between variables. Data are collected information, limitations constrain generalizability, and pilot studies test major research. Validity and reliability refer to measurement consistency and accuracy. Populations are groups studied with results generalized, and samples are subsets providing data to generalize to populations.

1. Basic Research
Terminology
Dr. ARJITA
PROFESSOR

2. HOW TO DEFINE ???
 Concept:
"A general idea referring to a behavior or
characteristic of an individual, group, or
nation".
For example, pain, patient care, coping,
happiness, cleanliness, dignity…etc.

3. HOW TO DEFINE ???
Construct:
"A concept specified in such a way
that it is observable in the real world, in
order to facilitate testing of the idea".
For example, position, in real world has
many different meanings in gynecology,
in surgery and in management.

4. Example of the relationship
between "concept" and
"construct":
 Weight a concept.
 Weight By electronic scale.
In the morning.
Before breakfast.
Without clothes.
a construct

5. HOW TO DEFINE ???
Variable:
"A concept that is observable, measurable,
and has a dimension that can vary".
For example, temperature is a variable that is
observable, measurable, and varies from high
to low.

6. dependent variable
0 The "effect"; a response or behavior that is influenced
by the independent variable; sometimes called the
criterion variable.

7. independent variable
0 The "cause" or the variable that is thought to influence
the dependent variable; in experimental research it is
the variable that is manipulated by the researcher.

8. HOW TO DEFINE ???
Conceptual definition:
"The definition or description of the
study variables that is drawn from the
theoretical or conceptual framework".

9. HOW TO DEFINE ???
Operational definition:
"The definition or description of a study
variable that specifies how it will be
observed and measured in the study."

10. HOW TO DEFINE ???
 Assumption:
"A statement of principles whose
correctness has not been proven, but is
taken for granted on the basis of logical
reasoning".
"health is a priority for all people"

11. HOW TO DEFINE ???
 Hypothesis:
"A statement of predicted or expected
relationships between the variables of the
research (dep. & indep. variables)".
Hypothesis lead to empirical studies that are
seeking to confirm or disconfirm these
predictions.

12.  null hypothesis (Ho)
A statistical hypothesis that predicts there is no
relationship between variables; the hypothesis that
is subjected to statistical analysis.
 research hypothesis (H1)
An alternative hypothesis to the statistical null
hypothesis; predicts the researcher's actual
expectations about the outcome of a study; also
called scientific, substantive, and theoretical

13. HOW TO DEFINE ???
Data:
"Pieces of information that are collected
as they pertain to the study".

14. HOW TO DEFINE ???
Limitations:
"Weaknesses in a research“
Uncontrolled extraneous variables, that
limit the generalizability of the findings.

15. HOW TO DEFINE ???
Pilot study:
"A small scale trial done in preparation
of a major research".

16. HOW TO DEFINE ???
Validity:
“Degree or extent to which the tool or
instrument measures what it is supposed to
measure".
For example, a ruler measures the height not
the weight, while the scale measures the weight
not the height.

17. HOW TO DEFINE ???
Reliability:
“Degree or extent of consistency or
dependability with which a study tool
measures the variable over time, by
different persons".

18. HOW TO DEFINE ???
Population:
“Group of people who are going to be
studied, and to whom should the study result
apply".
For example, bed-side nurses are the
population in a research studying the factors
affecting the nurse's workload.

19. HOW TO DEFINE ???
Sample:
"Are those persons – in the population- from
whom data will be actually collected, and
from whom generalizations about the
population will be made".

20. accessible population
0 The group of people or objects that is available to the
researcher for a particular study.

21. research design
0 The overall plan for gathering data in a research study.

22. Target population
0 The entire group of people or objects to which the
researcher wishes to generalize the findings of a
study.

23. Abstract
0 (research abstracts). Brief summaries of research
studies; generally contain the purpose, methods, and
major findings of the study.

24. Any Questions
???
•Dr ARJITA
• PROFESSOR