Proxies in research refer to variables, measures, or indicators that are used as substitutes for other variables that are unobservable, difficult to measure, or unavailable. Proxies are used in various fields of research to estimate or infer the values of certain variables that are not directly measurable or observable. They are often chosen based on their correlation or relationship with the variable of interest, and are typically used when direct measurement is not feasible or practical. Proxies can help researchers make inferences, predictions, or estimations about a certain phenomenon or variable based on the information provided by the proxy variable. Common examples of proxies in research include using income as a proxy for socio-economic status, using body mass index as a proxy for overall health, or using educational attainment as a proxy for cognitive ability. Using proxies in research allows researchers to make educated guesses or assumptions based on available data, ultimately helping to improve the validity and reliability of their findings.