Research

Research is a process of systematic inquiry that entails collection of data; documentation of critical information; and analysis and interpretation of that data/information, in accordance with suitable methodologies set by specific professional fields and academic disciplines.

Research is conducted to...

• Evaluate the validity of a hypothesis or an interpretive framework.
• To assemble a body of substantive knowledge and findings for sharing them in appropriate manners.
• To help generate questions for further inquiries.

Research is a careful and detailed study into a specific problem, concern, or issue using the scientific method. It's the adult form of the science fair projects back in elementary school, where you try and learn something by performing an experiment. This is best accomplished by turning the issue into a question, with the intent of the research to answer the question.

Research can be about anything, and we hear about all different types of research in the news. Cancer research has 'Breakthrough Cancer-Killing Treatment Has No Side Effects in Mice,' and 'Baby Born with HIV Cured.' Each of these began with an issue or a problem (such as cancer or HIV), and they had a question, like, “Does medication X reduce cancerous tissue or HIV infections?”

But all I've said so far is what research has done (sort of like saying baking leads to apple pie; it doesn't really tell you anything other than the two are connected). To begin researching something, you have to have a problem, concern, or issue that has turned into a question. These can come from observing the world, prior research, professional literature, or from peers. Research really begins with the right question, because your question must be answerable. Questions like, “How can I cure cancer aren't really answerable with a study. It's too vague and not testable.

Some terms are deeply associated with the research concept such as What, Why, and How. If we want to prevent Novel Corona Virus, first of all, we must know what is the Novel Corona Virus? Then Why this has spread across the Chinese and some other countries? Naturally, the next question that comes up is how did it spread?

The Greek philosopher Aristotle’s question was why the smoke of fire rises up in the sky? Why it doesn’t go down or to the side? The Why question of Aristotle was very popular at that time among the philosopher.

Today’s researchers and scientists are more interested in how the event occurs. Researchers believe that a kind of thought and inference is sought after in order to find out why something happens in nature. Often, the right thing is not known for thought and inference.

Therefore, at present, the result is now scientifically proven through research so we accept it as true knowledge.

Now we can define Research as a careful and detailed study into a specific problem, concern, or issue, for example, “Graduate Unemployment” using the scientific method.

Definition of Research

American Sociologist Earl Robert Babbie, “Research is a systematic inquiry to describe, explain, predict, and control the observed phenomenon. Research involves inductive and deductive methods.”

Cambridge English Dictionary defined Research as- “To study a subject in detail, especially in order to discover new information or reach a new understanding.”

Merriam-Webster defines as: “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”

Katzer, Cook & Crough say the research as follows:

“I define research here as the systematic process of collecting and analyzing information (data) in order to increase our understanding of the phenomenon with which we are concerned or interested.”

Research can start with questions or problems. But there are some important steps to take for research. For example-

• Collection of questions arising from problems.
• Willingness to solve problems.
• Setting goals to solve problems.
• Determining the problem-solving strategy.
• Making decisions based on the information obtained using the strategy.

Research in Nature

• Research is a systematic approach that necessarily studies accurate data. Some rules and procedures are an integral part of the research process that sets the objective of the research.
• The research basically is based on logical reasoning and involves both inductive and deductive methods.
• The information and data derived are in reality from actual observations in natural settings.
• The research follows an in-depth analysis of all data collected so that there is no deviation associated with the research investigation.
• Research creates a way of originating new questions related to practical problems existing in society.
• Research, in fact, is analytical in nature. It makes use of all the available data so that there is no ambiguity in the hypothesis.
• The most important aspect of the research is accuracy. The information and data that is to collect should be accurate and real in nature.