Research Foundations

Objective: Understand method and choose it accurately in context.

method (noun): A planned way of investigating a question or completing a task. Context sentences 1. Our method for comparing fabrics involved placing equal drops of water on each piece. 2. Leah chose a method that allowed her to observe the insects without touching them. 3. The class tested whether its new method produced more consistent measurements.

Objective: Understand procedure and choose it accurately in context.

procedure (noun): An established sequence of steps for carrying out a task or investigation. Context sentences 1. The laboratory procedure requires students to label each container before adding liquid. 2. Following the same procedure helped both groups prepare their materials consistently. 3. Mara revised the procedure so that the equipment would cool before anyone moved it.

Objective: Understand variable and choose it accurately in context.

variable (noun): A characteristic or condition that can change or have different values in an investigation. Context sentences 1. Water temperature was the variable that the students changed between trials. 2. The researchers recorded age as a variable when comparing reading habits. 3. Keeping every other variable steady made the effect of light easier to examine.

Objective: Understand factor and choose it accurately in context.

factor (noun): A condition or influence that contributes to a result. Context sentences 1. Limited storage space was a factor in the team's choice of equipment. 2. The researchers considered whether noise was a factor in students' concentration. 3. Cost was one factor among several that shaped the final design.

Objective: Understand sample and choose it accurately in context.

sample (noun): A smaller group or amount selected from a larger whole for examination. Context sentences 1. The team collected a sample of pond water to examine under a microscope. 2. A sample of fifty residents answered questions about the proposed park. 3. The researcher selected a sample from several neighborhoods to include different viewpoints.

Objective: Understand survey and choose it accurately in context.

survey (noun): An organized set of questions used to gather information from people. Context sentences 1. The school distributed a survey asking students how they traveled to class. 2. Each person completed the survey without writing a name. 3. The club revised its survey to make the questions easier to understand.

Objective: Understand data and choose it accurately in context.

data (noun): Recorded facts, measurements, or observations collected for examination or analysis. Context sentences 1. The students collected data on how many bicycles passed the school each hour. 2. Missing dates made the data difficult to organize. 3. The team checked the data for typing errors before making a graph.

Objective: Understand outcome and choose it accurately in context.

outcome (noun): The result of an action, process, or experiment. Context sentences 1. The outcome of the first trial led the team to adjust its design. 2. Researchers waited until the program ended before evaluating its outcome. 3. An unexpected outcome encouraged the students to repeat the experiment.

Objective: Understand finding and choose it accurately in context.

finding (noun): A fact or conclusion established through investigation or analysis. Context sentences 1. The report's main finding was that most visitors preferred longer weekend hours. 2. The students supported their finding with measurements from repeated trials. 3. One surprising finding prompted the team to examine its records again.

Objective: Understand criterion and choose it accurately in context.

criterion (noun): A standard used to judge, select, or evaluate something. Context sentences 1. Accuracy was the main criterion for judging the measuring devices. 2. Each essay had to meet the criterion of using evidence from the assigned passage. 3. The team added a criterion requiring the final design to fit through a standard doorway.