Basic Terminology

Hypothesis: A proposed explanation or prediction about a phenomenon that can be tested through research.

Independent and dependent variables: The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated or controlled in an experiment, while the dependent variable is the outcome being measured.

Randomization: The process of assigning study participants or subjects to different groups (such as a treatment group and a control group) in a random and unbiased manner.

Sample size: The number of individuals or cases included in a study, which can affect the reliability and validity of the results.

Blinding: The process of keeping study participants or researchers unaware of which group a participant belongs to (such as a treatment or control group) to prevent bias in the study.

Placebo: An inactive substance or treatment given to a control group to help determine the effectiveness of the active treatment being studied.

Informed consent: The process of providing study participants with all relevant information about a study so they can make an informed decision about whether or not to participate.

Ethics: The principles and values that guide the conduct of research, including ensuring the safety and well-being of participants, respecting their rights and privacy, and maintaining scientific integrity.

Data analysis: The process of interpreting and drawing conclusions from data collected during a study, using statistical techniques and other methods.

Replication: The process of repeating a study to verify the results, which is an important aspect of scientific rigor and helps to establish the reliability and validity of research findings.