DEFINITION OF TERMS

ABSTRACT

A brief summary of a research article, thesis,

review, conference proceeding, or any in-depth analysis
of a particular subject and is often used to help the
reader quickly ascertain the paper’s purpose.
INTRODUCTION

Leads the reader from a general subject area to a

particular topic of inquiry. It establishes the scope,
context, and significance, background, purpose of the
work in the form of the research problem.
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Identifies and describes the history and nature of a

well-defined research problem with reference to the
existing literature. The background information should
indicate the root of the problem being studied, where
gaps exist that your study attempts to address.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Description of an issue currently existing which

needs to be addressed. It provides context for the
research study and generates the questions which the
research aim to answer.
PROJECT GOALS

Describes the project impact: the long-term effects

that should be triggered. The project goal provides the link
between the project and its direct effects and the
overarching goals both within and outside the organization.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES

Describes the project’s outcomes: intended and

direct, short and medium-term effects on the target group.
Must lie within the scope of the project and one must be
able to directly attribute the effects to the project.
PROJECT STRATEGY

A method or plan chosen to bring about a desired

future, such as achievement of a goal or solution to a
problem.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Explains the significance of the work, the benefits

that the research provides and its overall impact. The
researcher should aim to answer the questions of why the
work is important, what implications it has and how it
connects to other types of information.
SCOPE & LIMITATION

Indicating the boundaries beyond in which the

findings do not legitimately apply or have no significance.
Aim to identify potential weaknesses of the study.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Interrelated concepts or abstractions that are

assembled together in some rational scheme by virtue of
their relevance to a common theme. It is also referred to
as theoretical framework.
DEFINITION OF TERMS

Intended to assist in understanding commonly used

terms and concepts when reading words within the context
of how they apply to research.
ACRONYMS

An abbreviation formed from the initial letters of

other words and pronounced as a word.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Designed to provide an overview of sources you have

explored while researching a particular topic and to
demonstrate to your readers how your research fits within
a larger field of study. (surveys books, scholarly articles)
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Actions to be taken to investigate a research

problem for the application of specific procedures used to
identify/analyze information applied to understanding the
problem allowing the reader to critically evaluate a
study’s overall validity and reliability.
POPULATION AND SAMPLING

Entire set of individuals or objects having some

common characteristics selected for a research study.

Defined as representative unit of a target population,

which is to be worked upon by the researchers.
RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS

Research instruments are tools developed by

researchers to achieved their stated objectives when
carrying out a research study. In other words, research
instruments are designed tools that aid the collection of
data for the purpose of analysis.
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS

Provide a discussion for each of the findings that

emerged and reflect the results and significance of the
study.
PRESENTATION OF COLLECTED DATA

Is the process of gathering and measuring

information on variables of interest, in an established
systematic fashion that enables one to answer stated
research questions, test hypotheses, and evaluate
outcomes.
NEED ANALYSIS

Is the formal process that sits alongside

Requirements analysis and focuses on the human elements
of the requirements. As it focuses on the needs of the
human, it is not limited to addressing the requirements,
but can be applied to any domain.
QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS

Data is represented numerically as a percentage, a

mean, and average. Commonly, data appears as a table,
a graph, or a pie or line chart.
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS

Research that is not presented as representative

but as offering people’s reflections or perspective on an
issue or experience. It is traditionally conducted via
interviews or observations.
CONCLUSIONS

A position or opinion or judgment reached after

consideration. is the last part of something, its end or
result.
PROJECT/CASE PROFILE AND ANALYSIS

Contains general information about the subject

about whom the case is. an essential part of case study.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT

A formally written declaration of the project and its

idea and context to explain the goals and objectives to be
reached, the problem to be addressed, potentials
challenges, approaches, people involved, and other
relevant information that explains the need for project
startup and aims to describe the amount of work planned
for implementation.
PROJECT/CASE RATIONALE

Is an argument in favor of implementing the

proposed project by your organization. It gives a detailed
explanation of why the project is required in the area.
PROJECT/CASE PRACTICABILITY

At the core of practical project management is an

ability for keeping things simple. Good project
management practice is still necessary; it is about
keeping it lean and mean. Getting the basics right, will
help deliver a successful project.