Key Concepts and Definitions in Research & Technology
Key Concepts and Definitions in Research and Technology
Technology and Science
Ultrasound: Ultrasound is a sound wave with a frequency higher than the upper audible limit of human hearing.
Biometrics: A technique that uses the propagation of sound waves to measure distances or identify objects, often mimicking biological systems.
Sonar: Sonar (sound navigation and ranging) is a technique that uses sound propagation (usually underwater, as in submarine navigation) to navigate, measure distances (ranging), communicate with or detect objects on or under the surface of the water, such as other vessels.
Robot: A robot is a mechanical or virtual artificial agent, usually an electromechanical machine that is guided by a computer program or electronic circuitry. Robots can be autonomous or semi-autonomous.
Algorithms: An algorithm is a prewritten set of instructions or rules designed to perform a specific task or solve a particular problem.
Research Methodology
Research: A systematic, controlled, empirical, and critical investigation of hypothetical propositions about the presumed relations among natural phenomena. It aims to discover new facts, data, relationships, or laws in any field of human knowledge.
Stages in Documentary Research:
- Choice of topic
- Identification of information sources
- Creation of bibliographic and library records
- Development of a scheme or outline
Data Sources and Archives
Newspaper Archives: A repository where newspapers and national and international journals are kept.
Film Library, Picture Gallery, and Map Library: These are spaces where movies, pictures, and maps are stored. They are often part of libraries and are useful for those conducting research in film, painting, or any area of graphic arts.
Record-Keeping and Documentation
Bibliographic Card Size: 12.5 cm in length and 7.5 cm in width.
Citations with More Than Two Authors: The name of the first author is written in the order listed, followed by the phrase “et al.” (abbreviation of *et alii*), which means “and others.”
Hemerographic Card: Records data from sources such as newspapers, magazines, and similar publications.
- General: Includes the title of the publication, place of publication, frequency, and director’s responsibilities.
- Specific Article: Used when investigating a particular article, which may or may not be signed by the author.
Brochure: Includes the brochure title, author’s name, track name, issuing institution, place, and date of the edition.
Interview: Includes the theme of the interview, author’s name, date of the interview, type of interview, position/occupation of the person interviewed, institution that conducted the interview, and place and date of publication.
CD: Includes the developing institution, title of the information, author of the information, and name of the person responsible for compilation.
Movie: Includes the movie title, year of production, releasing company, place of edition, director’s name, format and other relevant technical data, duration, and language.
Videotaping: Includes the title of the videotape, editing date, name of the cameraman or director, producing institution, city/state/country, duration, and name of the movie.
Radio and Television Program: Includes the title of the program, the channel it was transmitted on, the exact time of transmission, and the date of the program.
Internet: Includes the author of the document, title of the home page, document type, date, URL where the document was found, and the date the information was accessed.
Software: Includes the author, title of the software, language, date of edition, translator, environment in which it was released, producing institution, duration of the software’s run, and brand or technical specifications.
Administrative and Historical Records
Administrative Record: Contains current data on the institution.
Historical Archive: Composed of documents whose handling process has ceased in a particular unit of public administration, either by prescription or by an enforceable decision.
Writing and Argumentation
Argumentation: A textual structure used to demonstrate or explain whether something is true or false, probable or improbable. It is based on evidence and reasoning, with the main idea originating from true or false arguments.
Essay: A versatile genre characterized by a personal and subjective tone. It is written in prose, usually brief, and does not require systematic rigor.
Reflexive-Expository Text: Presents a general topic, which can be systematic or not, depending on whether it is formal or informal.
Essay Structure:
- Introduction
- Thesis
- Development
- Conclusion