Key terms & definitions

Something an individual, group or business aims to achieve.

Based on observable facts or measurements rather than personal opinion.

A requirement that can be checked using evidence rather than personal opinion.

Evidence that can be assessed independently of an individual’s personal feelings or beliefs.

The microscope lens nearest the specimen; changing objective lens changes the magnification.

The microscope lens closest to the specimen, which provides the first magnification of its image.

Evidence or reasoning that establishes a claim independently of an individual’s personal feelings or interpretation.

A vision experienced as an appearance outside the person's mind. Calling it objective describes how it is experienced; it does not establish that its divine origin has been independently verified.

Judging evidence without allowing personal preferences or expectations to influence the conclusion.

An approach that distinguishes evidence from personal feelings and presents judgements fairly.

Basing advice and decisions on careful analysis of evidence rather than personal preferences.

Understanding that an object continues to exist even when it cannot be seen.

A duty owed to someone, arising from a promise, relationship or debt.

A duty or responsibility arising from an agreement or membership.

A religious duty that a believer is required to fulfil.

A religious duty understood as something a believer must do, rather than an optional expression of devotion.

A method of representing an object in three dimensions with its front face drawn in its true shape and depth lines typically drawn at 45°.

A Japanese festival honouring ancestors, traditionally linked to Mokuren’s wish to relieve his deceased mother’s suffering.

Excessively eager obedience or flattery towards someone powerful, usually to gain or preserve their favour.

Information directly recorded or shown by the evidence.

The visible result of a test, such as a colour change, precipitate or relighting splint, recorded before drawing a conclusion.

Something directly noticed or measured, rather than an explanation of what caused it.

Carefully noticing details that can serve as evidence. Holmes distinguishes noticing a clue from reasoning about what it means.

A research method that watches and records people's behaviour, such as how shoppers choose products.

Collecting data by watching or measuring events and recording what happens.

A method of collecting data by watching an activity or performance and recording what is seen.

A research method involving watching and recording behaviour.

A research method in which a researcher watches and records participants’ behaviour under controlled or uncontrolled conditions.

A research method that collects data by watching and recording behaviour.

A recording framework containing pre-set categories of behaviour for a researcher to observe.