Research Methods

noun a portion of a larger whole, especially a sample taken for testing or analysis

• The scientist carefully measured out an aliquot of the solution for the experiment.
• Can you pour me an aliquot of that drink?
• I only need a tiny aliquot of sugar in my coffee.
• She only shared an aliquot of her thoughts with us, keeping most of them to herself.

noun a note of explanation or comment added to a text or diagram

• The researcher included detailed annotations in the footnotes of the academic paper.
• I added some notes in the margins as annotations for my own reference.
• I scribbled some quick notes as annotations in the book.
• The artist's use of color can be seen as an annotation on the canvas of life.

noun mental effort or activity that requires thinking and intelligence

• The scientist's brainwork led to a groundbreaking discovery in the field of neurology.
• I have to do some serious brainwork to figure out this math problem.
• I can't do any brainwork after pulling an all-nighter.
• Writing poetry requires a lot of brainwork to find the perfect words.

noun an official summons to appear before a court

• The author provided a citation for each reference in the research paper.
• Make sure to include a citation for that quote in your essay.
• Dude, you forgot to add a citation for that information!
• In the court of public opinion, a citation from a reliable source can make or break an argument.

adjective brief and to the point; succinct

• The professor's lecture was compendious, covering all key points in a concise manner.
• I appreciate how compendious your notes are, it makes studying much easier.
• I like reading those compendious articles that get straight to the point.
• Her compendious mind was like a well-organized library, with information neatly categorized and easily accessible.

noun a slang term for 'the'

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• The DA is responsible for overseeing the financial accounts of the company.
• I heard the DA is cracking down on tax evasion in our city.
• The DA is always trying to bust people for petty crimes.
• The DA of the group is the one who always keeps everyone in line.

verb to record or capture in writing or other form

adjective having been recorded or captured in writing or other form

• The findings were carefully documented in the research report.
• I made sure to document everything in the report.
• I've got it all down on paper, documented and ready to go.
• Her journey was documented in a series of paintings that captured her emotions.

noun a collection of documents or information about a particular person or subject

• The committee reviewed the dossier of evidence before making a decision.
• I heard they have a whole dossier on that guy, detailing all his past activities.
• I can't believe she keeps a dossier on all her exes, that's some next level stalking.
• His impeccable dossier of achievements speaks volumes about his dedication and hard work.

noun a person who provides instruction or education; a teacher

• The educator provided valuable insights during the seminar.
• My favorite educator always makes learning fun.
• That educator is the real MVP when it comes to teaching.
• An educator is like a beacon of knowledge guiding students towards success.

noun a detailed explanation or clarification

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• The speaker provided a detailed elaboration on the research findings.
• She went on and on with her elaboration about the party last night.
• He totally went off on a crazy elaboration about his favorite video game.
• Her mind was a labyrinth of elaboration, each thought leading to a new discovery.

verb A word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence. In this case, 'examining' is a present participle form of the verb 'examine'.

• The researchers are currently examining the data to draw conclusions.
• I'm just examining these documents to see if there's anything interesting.
• I'm just eyeballing this report to see if there are any red flags.
• She spent hours examining her thoughts before making a decision.

noun In this context, 'fact finding' refers to the process of gathering information or evidence to establish the truth of a situation or claim

• The fact finding mission was conducted by a team of experts to gather evidence.
• We're going on a fact finding trip to learn more about the issue.
• Let's do some fact finding before we make any decisions.
• Sometimes fact finding can lead to unexpected discoveries.

noun an area of open land, especially one planted with crops or pasture

verb to compete against others to win a position or achieve a goal

• The researchers conducted experiments in the field of microbiology.
• I'm thinking of studying something in the field of computer science.
• She's a real pro in the field of fashion design.
• In the field of politics, it's important to know how to navigate tricky situations.

verb to gather or collect gradually bit by bit; to gather information or material slowly and carefully

• She was able to glean valuable information from the research report.
• I tried to glean some tips from the cooking show to improve my skills.
• I managed to glean some juicy gossip from the conversation at the party.
• Through years of experience, he was able to glean wisdom and insight into human behavior.

verb to show that someone is involved in a crime or a dishonest act

adjective showing that someone is involved in a crime or a dishonest act

• The evidence presented in court could implicate the suspect in the crime.
• I don't want to do anything that could implicate me in this mess.
• I heard that gossip could implicate you in drama you don't want to be a part of.
• Her decision to remain silent could implicate her in the consequences of the group's actions.

verb A word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence. In this case, 'inquiring' is a verb form of the base verb 'inquire'.

• The inquiring minds of the researchers led to groundbreaking discoveries.
• She's always inquiring about everyone's business.
• Stop inquiring, it's none of your business!
• His inquiring gaze seemed to penetrate deep into my soul.

noun a seeking or request for truth, information, or knowledge

• The committee launched an inquiry into the allegations of corruption.
• The teacher made an inquiry about the missing homework assignment.
• I overheard a group of students gossiping about the inquiry into the cheating scandal.
• His constant questioning and inquiry into the meaning of life led him on a spiritual journey.

noun a word used in asking a question, such as 'who', 'what', 'where', 'when', 'why', or 'how'

adjective relating to or denoting a question

• The interrogative tone of the prosecutor's questions made the witness uneasy.
• Why are you always asking so many interrogative questions?
• Stop with the interrogative talk, it's annoying.
• The interrogative nature of her art leaves viewers pondering deeper meanings.

noun a question, especially one posed formally or officially

• The attorney prepared a list of interrogatory questions for the witness.
• The cop hit me with a bunch of interrogatory stuff.
• The teacher grilled us with some interrogatory nonsense.
• The artist's work posed an interrogatory challenge to the viewer.

noun a brief written note or memorandum

verb present participle of jot, meaning to write or make a quick note

• She was diligently jotting down notes during the lecture.
• I saw him quickly jotting some ideas on a napkin at the coffee shop.
• I was just jotting down some lyrics for a new song.
• The artist was jotting down his emotions onto the canvas with each brushstroke.

noun A person's facial expression or appearance

verb To search for information in a reference book or online

adverb In an upward direction

• I recommend that you look up the definition of that word in the dictionary.
• Hey, can you look up that restaurant's menu online?
• I'll just quickly look it up on my phone.
• Sometimes you just need to look up and appreciate the beauty of the night sky.

noun the act of studying or writing by artificial light; night study or meditation

• The scholar's lucubrations on ancient philosophy were highly regarded in academic circles.
• I spent all night lucubrating on my term paper for history class.
• I can't believe you're still lucubrating over that breakup from two years ago.
• Her lucubrations on the meaning of life were deep and thought-provoking.

noun a system or set of methods used in a particular area of study or activity

• The research project followed a rigorous methodology to ensure accurate results.
• She came up with a new methodology for organizing her closet.
• I'm gonna try out this new study methodology my friend recommended.
• His methodology for dealing with stress involves deep breathing and meditation.

verb to come into possession of; to acquire through effort or request

• In order to complete the research project, we must obtain approval from the ethics committee.
• I need to obtain a copy of that book before the library closes.
• I'm gonna try to obtain some free samples at the store.
• She was determined to obtain justice for her family no matter what it took.

noun the science or study of the origin, nature, and course of diseases

• The study of disease and its causes is known as pathology.
• She's majoring in pathology because she's interested in learning about diseases.
• I heard that new Netflix show is a real pathology for true crime fans.
• The pathology of corruption within the government is deeply concerning.

verb to be relevant or related to something

• The regulations strictly pertain to all employees within the organization.
• This rule doesn't pertain to us, right?
• I don't think this topic pertains to our conversation.
• The theme of the story pertains to the struggles of overcoming adversity.

noun a fact or situation that is observed to exist or happen, especially one whose cause or explanation is in question

• The scientist studied the phenomenon of bioluminescence in deep-sea creatures.
• Have you noticed that strange phenomenon happening in the sky?
• That phenomenon is totally blowing my mind!
• The phenomenon of love is a mysterious force that can't be explained.

noun A noun is a person, place, thing, or idea. In this case, 'primary' can also be used as a noun to refer to something of utmost importance or priority.

adjective An adjective is a word that describes or gives more information about a noun or pronoun. In this case, 'primary' is describing a noun.

• The primary goal of the research study was to analyze the impact of climate change on biodiversity.
• My primary concern is making sure everyone has a good time at the party.
• I'm the primary breadwinner in my family, so I have to work extra hours to make ends meet.
• In this painting, the artist uses color as the primary means of expressing emotion.

noun a printed copy of a document or file

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• Please make sure to collect a printout of the document for your records.
• Hey, don't forget to grab a printout of that file before you leave.
• I need a hard copy of this, can you printout the info for me?
• The printout of his emotions was evident on his face.

noun a sample taken from a larger population in a way that each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected

• The researchers collected a random sample of data from the population for their study.
• I just picked a random sample of songs to listen to on my playlist.
• I grabbed a random sample of snacks from the pantry for the road trip.
• Life is like taking a random sample of experiences, you never know what you'll get.

noun the action or skill of reading written or printed matter silently or aloud

verb present participle of read, which means to look at and comprehend the meaning of (written or printed matter) by interpreting the characters or symbols of which it is composed

• Reading is an essential skill for academic success.
• I love reading books in my free time.
• I'm just chilling and reading a good novel.
• Reading between the lines, it's clear that there is a hidden message in the text.

noun an exact copy or reproduction of something

verb to copy or reproduce something

• Scientists were able to successfully replicate the experiment in a controlled environment.
• They managed to replicate the recipe for that delicious cake.
• I tried to replicate her makeup look, but it didn't turn out as good.
• The artist was able to replicate the emotions of the original painting in his own work.

noun a branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws

• The field of science is constantly evolving with new discoveries and advancements.
• I find science fascinating and love learning about different scientific concepts.
• Science is the bomb, dude! It's so cool to see how things work in the world.
• Exploring the depths of science is like unraveling the mysteries of the universe.

adjective describes something related to or based on science or the scientific method

• The scientific community is conducting research to find a cure for the disease.
• I love watching those scientific documentaries on TV.
• That experiment was totally sciency!
• Her approach to problem-solving is very scientific, always logical and methodical.

adjective refers to more than two but not many; a small number of

pronoun used to refer to an unspecified number of people or things

• Several research studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of climate change.
• I've seen several movies this week.
• I've got several errands to run before we can hang out.
• The artist used several colors to create a vibrant painting.

noun a method of rapid writing by means of abbreviations and symbols

adjective using or involving shorthand

• The secretary took notes in shorthand during the meeting.
• I'll write down the address in shorthand so I don't forget.
• I can't read your shorthand, it looks like chicken scratch.
• Using emojis is like a shorthand way of expressing emotions in text messages.

noun a photograph taken quickly and informally, typically with a small hand-held camera

• The photographer captured a beautiful snapshot of the city skyline at sunset.
• I took a quick snapshot of my lunch before digging in.
• Let's snap a quick snapshot of us making funny faces!
• The report provides a snapshot of the company's financial health at a specific point in time.

noun a book that is used as a primary source of information

• The source book provided detailed information on the history of the ancient civilization.
• I found all the answers in the source book for my research project.
• I'll just skim through the source book to get the main points.
• The source book of wisdom is said to be experience.

noun the act of learning or gaining knowledge through reading, research, or practice

verb to engage in the act of learning or gaining knowledge

• The scientific study conducted by the researchers provided valuable insights into the effects of climate change.
• I need to hit the books and study for my upcoming exams.
• I can't go out tonight, I have to study my butt off for this test.
• Life is a constant study of learning and growing as individuals.

adverb in a systematic manner; methodically

• The researchers systematically analyzed the data to identify any patterns or trends.
• She systematically organized her closet by color and season.
• He's been systematically ghosting all his exes, one by one.
• By systematically removing negative influences from her life, she was able to find true happiness.

noun a thin glass tube used in scientific experiments to hold and mix small quantities of liquids

• The scientist carefully placed the specimen in the test tube for analysis.
• Hey, can you pass me that test tube over there?
• I accidentally broke the test tube in the lab, oops!
• Her emotions were like a bubbling mixture in a test tube, ready to explode at any moment.

noun a book or electronic resource that lists words in groups of synonyms and related concepts

• When writing an academic paper, it is important to consult a thesaurus to find synonyms for key terms.
• I always use a thesaurus when I'm stuck on finding the right word to use in my writing.
• I found this awesome thesaurus app that helps me sound smarter in my essays.
• A thesaurus is like a treasure chest full of words waiting to be discovered and used in writing.

noun A thumb is a short, thick digit on the hand that is opposable to the other four fingers.

preposition Through is a preposition indicating movement from one side or end to another.

• I decided to thumb through the research articles to find relevant information for my thesis.
• I like to thumb through magazines at the doctor's office to pass the time.
• Let's thumb through this book and see if we can find any juicy gossip.
• She decided to thumb through her memories to find the answer to the question.

noun a subject of conversation or discussion

adjective pertaining to the subject being discussed

• The professor will be discussing a new topic in today's lecture.
• I heard we're gonna talk about a new topic in class today.
• Yo, what's the topic for today's lesson?
• Let's steer the conversation towards a lighter topic.

adjective describing a state of not being watched or observed

• The security guard noticed the unwatched bag left at the entrance.
• I saw an unwatched wallet on the table at the coffee shop.
• Hey, don't leave your phone unwatched like that!
• His unwatched behavior led to the misunderstanding.

noun a method of testing multiple samples together as a single group to save time and resources

• Pooled testing is a method used in laboratories to screen multiple samples at once for efficiency.
• They're doing this new thing called pooled testing where they test a bunch of samples together to save time.
• Pooled testing is like the ultimate group test sesh in the lab.
• Pooled testing is like combining all your ingredients to make one big scientific soup of samples.

verb to read again

• It is important to reread the contract before signing it.
• I always have to reread text messages because I never pay attention the first time.
• I had to reread that tweet like three times to understand what they were saying.
• Sometimes in life, we need to reread our past experiences to learn from our mistakes.

noun an examination or autopsy of a dead body to determine the cause of death

• The veterinarian performed a necropsy to determine the cause of death in the animal.
• The vet did a necropsy to figure out why the pet died.
• The doc did a necropsy to see what happened to the poor critter.
• Sometimes we need to do a necropsy on failed projects to understand where things went wrong.

verb to read quickly or superficially in order to get a general idea of the content

• I had to skim-read through the lengthy report to find the key points.
• I usually just skim-read articles online to get the main idea.
• I'll just skim-read this textbook before the exam.
• She skim-read his text messages, not paying attention to the details.

noun a test given before the main test to assess someone's knowledge or skill level

• The students were required to complete a pretest before beginning the course.
• We had to do a pretest before we could start the class.
• We had to take a pretest before diving into the material.
• The pretest served as a benchmark for our understanding before delving deeper into the subject.

noun an extreme or irrational fear of insects

• Entomophobia is a specific phobia characterized by an excessive or irrational fear of insects.
• My friend has entomophobia, so she always asks me to check her room for bugs before she goes to sleep.
• I can't stand bugs, I think I might have a touch of entomophobia.
• Her entomophobia was so severe that even the sight of a picture of a bug would send her into a panic.

noun the quality or state of being knowledgeable; possessing knowledge or information

• Her knowledgeability in the field of astrophysics is unparalleled.
• I'm always impressed by his knowledgeability when it comes to cars.
• She's got mad knowledgeability about makeup trends.
• His knowledgeability is like a well of wisdom, always ready to be tapped into.

noun a candidate in an election whose name does not appear on the ballot but is written in by voters

verb to vote for a candidate by writing their name on the ballot

• Voters have the option to choose a write-in candidate on their ballot.
• You can always do a write-in vote if you don't like the listed candidates.
• I might just write-in my dog for president as a joke.
• Sometimes you have to be a write-in candidate in your own life and go against the norm.

noun a prefix added to the name of a subject to indicate a higher level of abstraction

adjective relating to or denoting a higher level of abstraction

• The researcher conducted a meta-analysis of all the available data.
• I read this meta article that explained everything in detail.
• I'm so over all this meta stuff, can we talk about something else?
• Her painting was a meta representation of her inner struggles.

noun abbreviation for Fecal Occult Blood Test, a medical screening test for detecting hidden blood in the stool, which can be a sign of various gastrointestinal conditions such as colorectal cancer

• The doctor recommended that the patient undergo a FOBT to screen for colorectal cancer.
• I have to do a FOBT test next week, it's not going to be fun.
• I heard FOBTs are not pleasant, but it's important for your health.
• The FOBT is like a detective searching for clues of potential health issues.

noun a person who takes part in a discussion, especially as a leader or expert

• The discussant provided insightful feedback during the academic conference.
• The discussant shared some interesting points during the meeting.
• The discussant really dropped some knowledge on us.
• The discussant was like a beacon of knowledge in the discussion.

noun A word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea. In this case, 'list' is a noun as it refers to a series of items or information.

adjective A word that describes or gives more information about a noun. In this case, 'long' is an adjective as it describes the noun 'list' by indicating that it is of considerable length.

• The project manager provided a long list of tasks that needed to be completed by the end of the week.
• I have a long list of errands to run this afternoon.
• My mom gave me a long list of chores to do before I can go out with my friends.
• His resume was a long list of impressive accomplishments.

adjective relating to education or scholarship; scholarly

• The academical conference will feature presentations from leading experts in the field.
• I find academical discussions to be quite boring sometimes.
• I never liked all that academical stuff they teach in school.
• His writing style is more artistic and less academical in nature.

verb to make something more academic or scholarly in nature

• The process of academicizing a subject involves rigorous research and analysis.
• When academicizing a topic, it's important to dig deep into the details.
• Don't spend too much time academicizing, just get to the point.
• She has a way of academicizing even the most mundane topics, making them seem profound.

noun a person who is knowledgeable in academic subjects or who is engaged in academic pursuits

• The academist presented a groundbreaking theory at the conference.
• The academist shared some interesting research findings during the seminar.
• That academist really knows their stuff when it comes to literature.
• The artist approached their work with the precision of an academist.

verb to cite as evidence or proof in an argument or discussion

• The lawyer adduced several pieces of evidence to support her argument in court.
• She adduced a bunch of facts to prove her point.
• He totally adduced some receipts to back up his story.
• The artist adduced various colors to create a beautiful painting.

adjective able to be brought forward as evidence or argument

• The lawyer argued that the evidence presented was adducible in court.
• The teacher mentioned that only adducible sources should be used for the research paper.
• I don't think that information is adducible for our project.
• Her testimony was like an adducible piece of puzzle in solving the case.

adjective relating to or functioning as an adjunct

• The use of adjunctive therapy is common in treating certain medical conditions.
• The doctor recommended an adjunctive treatment to go along with the main medication.
• I heard adding an adjunctive approach can help speed up the recovery process.
• In life, having a positive attitude can be considered as an adjunctive factor for success.

adverb in an adjunct manner; as an adjunct

• The two departments work adjunctly to ensure a smooth transition process.
• The teams are working adjunctly on the project to get it done faster.
• We're all just adjunctly chipping in to make this party happen.
• The artist's use of color and light adjunctly creates a sense of movement in the painting.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

• Advocacy research plays a crucial role in influencing policy decisions by providing evidence-based recommendations.
• Researchers conducting advocacy research are really passionate about making a difference in society.
• Doing advocacy research is all about fighting for what you believe in.
• Advocacy research is like shining a light on important social issues to drive change.