Summary of Comprehensive Glossary for Educational Studies

## Introduction Educational research investigates how people learn and how teaching practices can be improved using systematic evidence. This guide breaks down core concepts, methods, and practical applications so you can understand, evaluate, and use research to inform teaching and learning decisions. ## What is Educational Research? > **Definition:** Educational research is a systematic investigation to discover facts and inform teaching practice. - Purpose: generate reliable knowledge about learning, instruction, assessment, and classroom interaction - Outcomes: reports, research articles, procedures, and evidence-based practices ## Key Concepts and Terms ### Concept and Conceptual > **Definition:** A concept is an idea or principle. Conceptual relates to ideas or concepts. - Concepts form the building blocks of research questions and hypotheses - Example: The concept of "engagement" can be measured through observations or surveys ### Research, Researcher, and Research Design > **Definition:** Research is a systematic investigation to discover facts. A researcher is a person who conducts research. Research design is the plan for conducting research. - Designs include experiments, quasi-experiments, case studies, and classroom-based research - Classroom-based research is research conducted within a classroom setting; it tests interventions in real teaching contexts ### Research Question and Hypothesis > **Definition:** A research question is the main question guiding a study. A hypothesis is a testable prediction. - Good research questions are specific and measurable - Example: "Does weekly formative feedback improve student quiz scores compared with no feedback?" Hypothesis: "Weekly formative feedback increases average quiz scores." ### Sample, Target Population, and Representative > **Definition:** A sample is a subset of a population. The target population is the group being studied. Representative means typical of a group. - Choose samples to reflect the target population when generalization is intended - Classroom-based studies often use convenience samples (e.g., one class) ### Data, Observation, and Findings > **Definition:** Data are information collected for analysis. Observation is careful watching and recording. Findings are the results of a study. - Data types: quantitative (numerical) and qualitative (non-numerical) - Example: Test scores (quantitative); interview transcripts (qualitative) ### Qualitative Methods vs Quantitative Methods | Feature | Qualitative methods | Quantitative methods | |---|---:|---:| | Data type | non-numerical (text, images) | numerical (scores, counts) | | Typical tools | interviews, observations | surveys, tests, statistics | | Goal | deep understanding | measurement and generalization | ### Evidence and Evidence-based Practice > **Definition:** Evidence are facts showing something is true. Evidence-based practice is practice informed by research evidence. - Apply findings that are credible and relevant to your context - Check for replication and robustness before wide adoption ### Credible, Ethical, and Confidentiality > **Definition:** Credible means believable and trustworthy. Ethical means following moral principles. Confidentiality is the duty to keep information private. - Protect participants: informed consent, anonymize data, respect confidentiality - Ensure credible methods: transparent procedures and clear reporting ### To Conduct, To Examine, To Investigate, To Determine, To Define, To Confirm, To Disconfirm > **Definitions:** > - To conduct: to organize and carry out > - To examine: to look at closely > - To investigate: to examine carefully > - To determine: to find out or decide > - To define: to explain the meaning of something > - To confirm: to show something is true > - To disconfirm: to prove something is false - Research often follows steps: define question, design study, collect data, analyze, confirm/disconfirm hypotheses ### Procedures, Proto