Research

Items

• no cost time extension

  A no-cost extension is an extension of the period of performance beyond the expiration end date, for the principal investigator to successfully complete the project. The phrase “no-cost” suggests that there is no additional funding provided by the sponsor.
• non-balanced scale

  A scale which skews more towards one end (of the scale), opposite of balanced scale.
• non-directional

  Not directional or not relating to; not indicating direction; equally effective in all directions.
• non-mathematical

  Not relating to or involving mathematics.
• non-probability sample

  Non-probability sample means that some members of the population compared to other members have a greator, but unknown chance of selection.
• non-probability

  This is a sampling method or technique that uses non-random criteria like the availability, geographical proximity or the expert knowledge of the subject of the research.
• non-sampling error

  All sources of error that are unrelated to sampling. Refers to an error that occurs during data collection, causing the data to differ from the true value.
• normally distributed

  Also known as Gaussian distribution, normal distribution continuous probability distribution where in values in a symmetrical fashion mostly situated around the mean.
• note cards

  A quick and simple way to send a meaningful,hand-written message.
• note

  A brief record of something written down to assist the memory or for future reference.
• notion of interest

  Being interested in or having an interest in something.
• novice researchers

  Individuals entering the research field with no or little experience with past publications.
• null hypotheses

  Often denoted “H0” it is a claim that the effect being studied does not exist. The type of statistical hypothesis that proposes that no statistical significance exists in a set of given observations.
• numerical rating scale questions

  Questions asking survey participants to measure preferences, feelings, perceptions, and interests on a provided numerical scale.
• object

  To say something to express one’s opposition to or disagreement with something.
• objectives

  An objective is something aimed at or sought a goal.
• observational methods

  A broad term for various non-experimental studies in which behaviour is carefully watched and recorded.
• observational research

  A research technique where the researcher observes participants and phenomena in their most natural settings. A method to observe and describe the behaviour of the subject.
• observations

  A way of gathering data by watching behaviour, events, or noting physical characteristics.
• onomastics

  A study of history of and origin of proper names…. A science that studies names in all their aspects.
• ontology

  A philosophical study of being, it refers to one’s view of reality and to what extent it exists.
• open access

  Refers to making publications freely available online.
• open ended questions

  A question that cannot be answered with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response, or with a static response. It is phrased as a statement and requires a longer answer, therefore producing qualitative data.
• operationalisation

  It is a process by which researchers conducting quantitative research spell out precisely how a concept will be measured.
• operations

  Often shortend as ‘OR’ it is a discipline that deals with the development and application of analytical methods to improve decision-making.  In operations research, problems are broken down into basic components and then solved in defined steps by mathematical analysis.