Research is "creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock
of knowledge".[1] It involves the collection, organization, and analysis of evidence to
increase understanding of a topic, characterized by a particular attentiveness to
controlling sources of bias and error. These activities are characterized by accounting
and controlling for biases. A research project may be an expansion of past work in the
field. To test the validity of instruments, procedures, or experiments, research may
replicate elements of prior projects or the project as a whole.
The primary purposes of basic research (as opposed to applied research)
are documentation, discovery, interpretation, and the research and development (R&D)
of methods and systems for the advancement of human knowledge. Approaches to
research depend on epistemologies, which vary considerably both within and between
humanities and sciences. There are several forms of
research: scientific, humanities, artistic, economic, social,
business, marketing, practitioner research, life, technological, etc. The scientific study
of research practices is known as meta-research.
A researcher is a person engaged in conducting research, possibly recognized as
an occupation by a formal job title. In order to be a social researcher or a social
scientist, one should have enormous knowledge of subjects related to social science
that they are specialized in. Similarly, in order to be a natural science researcher, the
person should have knowledge of fields related to natural science
(physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, zoology and so on). Professional
associations provide one pathway to mature in the research profession.[2]
Etymology
Aristotle, (384–322 BC), one of the early figures in the
development of the scientific method[3]
The word research is derived from the Middle French"recherche", which means "to go
about seeking", the term itself being derived from the Old French term "recerchier," a
compound word from "re-" + "cerchier", or "sercher", meaning 'search'.[4] The earliest
recorded use of the term was in 1577.[4]
Definitions
Research has been defined in a number of diZerent ways, and while there are
similarities, there does not appear to be a single, all-encompassing definition that is
embraced by all who engage in it.
Research, in its simplest terms, is searching for knowledge and searching for truth. In a
formal sense, it is a systematic study of a problem attacked by a deliberately chosen
strategy, which starts with choosing an approach to preparing a blueprint (design) and
acting upon it in terms of designing research hypotheses, choosing methods and
techniques, selecting or developing data collection tools, processing the data,
interpretation, and ending with presenting solution(s) of the problem.[5]
Another definition of research is given by John W. Creswell, who states that "research is
a process of steps used to collect and analyze information to increase our
understanding of a topic or issue". It consists of three steps: pose a question, collect
data to answer the question, and present an answer to the question.[6]
The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines research more generally to also include
studying already existing knowledge: "studious inquiry or examination; especially:
investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts,
revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of
such new or revised theories or laws"[4]
Forms of research
Original research
"Original research" redirects here. For the Wikipedia prohibition against user-generated,
unpublished research, see Wikipedia:No original research.
Original research, also called primary research, is research that is not exclusively
based on a summary, review, or synthesis of earlier publications on the subject of
research. This material is of a primary-source character. The purpose of the original
research is to produce new knowledge rather than present the existing knowledge in a
new form (e.g., summarized or classified).[7][8] Original research can take various forms,
depending on the discipline it pertains to. In experimental work, it typically involves
direct or indirect observation of the researched subject(s), e.g., in the laboratory or in
the field, documents the methodology, results, and conclusions of an experiment or set
of experiments, or oZers a novel interpretation of previous results. In analytical work,
there are typically some new (for example) mathematical results produced or a new way
of approaching an existing problem. In some subjects which do not typically carry out
experimentation or analysis of this kind, the originality is in the particular way existing
understanding is changed or re-interpreted based on the outcome of the work of
the researcher.[9]
The degree of originality of the research is among the major criteria for articles to be
published in academic journals and usually established by means of peer
review.[10] Graduate students are commonly required to perform original research as
part of a dissertation.[11]
Scientific research
Main article: Scientific method
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Primary scientific research being carried out
at the Microscopy Laboratory of the Idaho National Laboratory
Scientific research equipment at MIT
German maritime research vessel Sonne
Scientific research is a systematic way of gathering data and harnessing curiosity.[citation
needed]
This research provides scientificinformation and theories for the explanation of the
nature and the properties of the world. It makes practical applications possible.
Scientific research may be funded by public authorities, charitable organizations, and
private organizations. Scientific research can be subdivided by discipline.
Generally, research is understood to follow a certain structural process. Though the
order may vary depending on the subject matter and researcher, the following steps are
usually part of most formal research, both basic and applied:
1. Observations and formation of the topic: Consists of the subject area of one's
interest and following that subject area to conduct subject-related research. The
subject area should not be randomly chosen since it requires reading a vast
amount of literature on the topic to determine the gap in the literature the
researcher intends to narrow. A keen interest in the chosen subject area is
advisable. The research will have to be justified by linking its importance to
already existing knowledge about the topic.
2. Hypothesis: A testable prediction which designates the relationship between
two or more variables.
3. Conceptual definition: Description of a concept by relating it to other concepts.
4. Operational definition: Details in regards to defining the variables and how they
will be measured/assessed in the study.
5. Gathering of data: Consists of identifying a population and selecting samples,
gathering information from or about these samples by using specific research
instruments. The instruments used for data collection must be valid and reliable.
6. Analysis of data: Involves breaking down the individual pieces of data to draw
conclusions about it.
7. Data Interpretation: This can be represented through tables, figures, and
pictures, and then described in words.
8. Test, revising of hypothesis
9. Conclusion, reiteration if necessary
A common misconception is that a hypothesis will be proven (see, rather, null
hypothesis). Generally, a hypothesis is used to make predictions that can be tested by
observing the outcome of an experiment. If the outcome is inconsistent with the
hypothesis, then the hypothesis is rejected (see falsifiability). However, if the outcome
is consistent with the hypothesis, the experiment is said to support the hypothesis. This
careful language is used because researchers recognize that alternative hypotheses
may also be consistent with the observations. In this sense, a hypothesis can never be
proven, but rather only supported by surviving rounds of scientific testing and,
eventually, becoming widely thought of as true.
