Research
The actual tool used to collect data — survey, interview guide, test, or sensor — standardized or researcher-developed.
Of Merriam-Webster’s senses, research methods use two: “a measuring device for determining the present value of a quantity under observation”, and, more loosely, “a means whereby something is achieved, performed, or furthered”. There is also the legal sense, “a formal legal document (such as a deed, bond, or agreement)” — worth knowing on a trade-heavy estate, where “instrument” usually means that. From Latin instruere, to arrange or instruct; first recorded in the fourteenth century. A questionnaire is an instrument in the measuring sense, and calling it one is a claim that it measures something.
Merriam-Webster is cited as the dictionary of record: where an entry defines a word rather than a position, a dictionary is the primary source for it. The research usage above is this lexicon’s own.
From the AJG lexicon archive (July 2026).
Developed by Amit Jain at allfrontierglobal.com
© 2026 All Frontier Global · Panchkula, Haryana, India
Developed by Amit Jain at allfrontierglobal.com · purposed.in · purposed · purposed2 · merchcomp.com · uuka.org
Compiled reference — verify current specifics at the source.
A question, a correction, or something you'd like covered. It goes straight to his inbox — no list, no newsletter.