Glossary of Research Terms
This glossary provides clear, lay-friendly definitions of key research terms, helping you better understand the research process and how studies are conducted.
A
Abstract
A brief summary of a research study, including why it was done, how it was conducted, and what the results were.
Action Research
A type of research used to bring about practical improvements. It involves a group working together to test and refine solutions to a problem, with participants providing feedback.
Advisory Group
A group of people – including researchers, healthcare professionals, patients, and carers – who help guide a research project by providing advice and monitoring progress.
Analysis (Data Analysis)
The process of examining and interpreting research data to identify patterns and answer research questions.
Association (Correlation)
A relationship between two factors, where changes in one are linked to changes in the other. However, this does not mean that one directly causes the other.
Audit
A systematic review of healthcare services to compare current practices against agreed standards and identify areas for improvement.
B
Basic Research
Research aimed at increasing understanding of a topic rather than solving a specific problem. It often takes place in laboratories and helps inform future applied research.
Bias
A factor that can cause research results to be distorted or misleading. Bias can occur due to how participants are selected, how treatments are given, or how outcomes are measured.
Blinding (Masking)
A method used in research to prevent bias by ensuring that participants, doctors, or researchers do not know which treatment group a participant is in.
C
Carer
A person who provides unpaid care and support to a family member or friend due to illness, disability, or old age.
Causal Effect
A proven link between two factors, where one directly causes the other.
Case Study
A detailed analysis of a single individual or case, often used to explore rare conditions.
Clinical Research
Studies involving people to understand health conditions, test treatments, or improve healthcare practices.
Clinical Trial
A study testing a new treatment, drug, or medical approach to determine if it is safe and effective compared to the best existing treatment.
Collaboration
A research approach where researchers and the public work together in the design, conduct, and dissemination of research.
Cohort Study
A study that follows a group of people over time to see how certain factors affect their health outcomes.
Commissioning
The process of awarding funding to researchers for specific research projects.
Confidentiality
A commitment to keeping personal data private in research. Identifiable information about participants cannot be shared without consent.
Consultation
The process of gathering public input on research priorities, methods, or findings to ensure relevance and impact.
Consumer (Patient / Public Representative)
A person with lived experience of a health condition who provides input into research to ensure it is relevant and useful.
Control Group
A group in a study that does not receive the treatment being tested. This allows researchers to compare results and measure the treatment’s effects.
Convenience Sample
A research sample made up of people who are easy to access but may not represent the wider population.
D
Data
Information collected during research, including numbers, written responses, images, and other records.
Data Protection
Laws and measures in place to ensure personal information is kept secure and used appropriately.
Descriptive Study
A study that describes characteristics of a group without testing specific treatments or interventions.
Dissemination
The process of sharing research findings with different audiences, including patients, healthcare professionals, and policymakers.
E
Economic Analysis
A method of comparing the costs and benefits of different healthcare treatments or services.
Empowerment
Helping people gain the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their own care and participation in research.
Ethics
Guiding principles to ensure research is conducted fairly, safely, and with respect for participants.
Ethics Committee
A group that reviews research studies to ensure they meet ethical and safety standards.
Evaluation
Assessing whether a treatment, service, or research project has achieved its intended goals.
Evidence Base
A collection of research findings that support best practices in healthcare and policy.
F
Focus Group
A small discussion group used in research to explore people’s opinions, experiences, or suggestions on a topic.
G
Grey Literature
Research materials that are not formally published, such as reports, policy documents, or conference papers.
H
Hypothesis
A proposed explanation or prediction that researchers test through studies.
I
Implementation
The process of putting research findings into practice in healthcare and policy.
Intervention
Any treatment, test, or change being studied in research to see how it affects outcomes.
Interview
A method of collecting data by asking individuals questions, either face-to-face or over the phone.
Involvement (Patient and Public Involvement – PPI)
When members of the public contribute to research design, conduct, and dissemination rather than just being participants.
J
Journal
A publication where research findings are formally reported and shared with the academic and medical community.
L
Lay Person
Someone who is not a professional researcher or healthcare provider but has valuable experience as a patient, carer, or member of the public.
Lay Summary
A brief, jargon-free explanation of research written for the general public rather than professionals.
M
Mentor
An experienced individual who provides guidance and support to someone new to research.
Methodology
The approach and techniques used to collect and analyse data in a research study.
O
Observational Study
A study where researchers observe what happens without actively changing or controlling anything.
Outcome Measures
Specific things that are measured in research to determine whether a treatment or intervention is effective.
Participant
A person who takes part in a research study.
Peer Review
A process where research applications or reports are reviewed by experts to check their quality and accuracy.
Placebo
A fake or inactive treatment used in research to compare against real treatments and measure their effectiveness.
Population
The group of people a study is focused on, such as people with a certain condition.
Protocol
A detailed plan for how a research study will be conducted.
Q
Qualitative Research
A type of research focused on exploring people’s experiences, thoughts, and feelings through interviews or focus groups.
Quantitative Research
Research that collects numerical data to measure things like treatment effectiveness.
Questionnaire
A set of written questions used to collect research data.
R
Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT)
A study where participants are randomly assigned to receive either the new treatment being tested or a control treatment, to compare their effects.
Research
The process of investigating a question to find new knowledge that could improve healthcare, treatments, or services.
Research Ethics
Rules and guidelines that ensure research is conducted fairly, safely, and respectfully.
Research Governance
The framework that ensures research is conducted to high standards and follows ethical and legal guidelines.
S
Sample
A group of people selected to take part in research to represent a larger population.
Social Care Research
Research focused on improving support services for people with disabilities, long-term conditions, or social needs.
Statistics
Numbers and data used in research to find patterns, test theories, and support conclusions.
Survey
A research method that asks a group of people questions to gather information about their experiences or opinions.
Systematic Review
A study that combines the results of multiple research studies on a topic to provide a clearer answer.
U
User Researcher
A person with lived experience of a condition who is also involved in conducting research.
This glossary provides an easy-to-understand guide to research terms. Let us know if you need any additional explanations!