Research Terminology

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Primary source

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Information or evidence that was created during the time period being studied or by a person directly involved in the events being researched.

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Research process

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Organized steps a researcher follows to investigate a specific topic or question, from initial inquiry to the final presentation of findings.

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Secondary source

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A work that analyzes, interprets, or discusses information found in primary sources.

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Claim

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A statement or assertion that the researcher believes to be true based on their findings and analysis.

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Research paper

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A detailed, in-depth academic document that presents original research findings, analysis, and interpretation of a specific topic.

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Bias

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Prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair.

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Citation

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Reference to the author's name, title of work, date published, publisher, and/or page numbers of quoted or paraphrased text.

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Credibility

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The trustworthiness and believability of research findings, methods, and sources.

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Inquiry

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A process of asking questions, seeking knowledge, and exploring information to understand a topic or solve a problem.

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Plagiarize

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To present the ideas or words of another as one's own without crediting the source.