Research Cycle
Definition
Describes the circular process of conducting scientific research, with “researchers working at various stages of inquiry, from more tentative and exploratory investigations to the testing of more definitive and well-supported claims” (Lieberman, 2020, p. 42). The cycle includes literature research and hypothesis generation, data collection and analysis, as well as dissemination of results (e.g. through publication in peer-reviewed journals), which again informs theory and new hypotheses/research.
References:
- Bramoullé, Y., & Saint-Paul, G. (2010). Research cycles. In Journal of Economic Theory (Vol. 145, pp. 1890–1920). https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.965816
- Lieberman, E. (2020). Research Cycles. In C. Elman, J. Gerring, & J. Mahoney (Eds.), The Production of Knowledge: Enhancing Progress in Social Science (pp. 42–70). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108762519.003
Originally drafted by: Helena Hartmann
Reviewed by: Jamie P. Cockcroft, Aleksandra Lazić, Graham Reid, Beatrice Valentini
Suggest an improvement
Spotted an error, a broken link, or think this entry is missing something? Let us know — this goes directly to the glossary team.