Introduction to Research

12th November 2012

(trinity-mirror-north-east, 2012)

 What is research?

As Edison(2012) shows, Research is the investigation "Research is the investigation of a particular topic using a variety of reliable, scholarly resources. The three major goals of research are establishing facts, analyzing information, and reaching new conclusions. The three main acts of doing research are searching for, reviewing, and evaluating information".

The oxforddictionaries(2012) mentions that Research is "the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions"

Research greatly helps a person in making good decisions in the proper time with good quality work. But however there can be instances where the decision can also be poor which leads to poor results. 

What is the Research Process and What is the Essence of Research?

Edison(2012) website adds that, The research process has a beginning and an end, with many stages or steps in between. Each one of these steps is built upon the foundation of information. Brainstorming ideas, searching for resources, and analyzing ideas are all information-based activities. Just like DNA is the building blocks of life, information is the building blocks of the research process.

While the Essence of Research is the know how to go about making the right decisions by being knowledgeable about the various steps involved in solving an issue.

Why do we research?

As research.berkeley(2012) states, research is done as it allows you to "pursue your interests, to learn something new, to hone your problem-solving skills and to challenge yourself in new ways."

Types of Research Methods: 

1. Deductive - This type of research is based on previous research done. 
2. Explorative - This is for a problem that has not been yet developed. 
3. Pure (Qualitative/ Basic) - research is driven by a scientist's curiosity or interest in a scientific question. The main motivation is to expand man's knowledge , not to create or invent something. (lbl, 2012)
4. Applied (Quantitative) - research is designed to solve practical problems of the modern world, rather than to acquire knowledge for knowledge's sake. One might say that the goal of the applied scientist is to improve the human condition.
   (lbl, 2012)
5. Business Research -  is a systematic and organized effort to investigate a specific problem encountered in the work setting that needs a solution.(researchmethodology, 2012)

Why Research?(alzheimer-europe, 2012)

• Carefully completed research always enables researchers to test and compare different theories and approaches, explore different methods and learn from other people’s experience.
• For a lot of studies, the findings can be recorded numerically and then statistically analyzed in order to determine whether the findings are significant

References:

1.  Unit 1. What is Research? [Online]. Available on : http://www.edison.edu/library/researchskills/Unit1/1whatIsResearch.php. (Accessed on 12th November 2012) 
2. Research[Online]. Available on : http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/research. (Accessed on 12th November 2012) 
3.  Why do research? [Online]. Available on: http://research.berkeley.edu/experience.php. (Accessed on 12th November 2012) 
4. Basic Vs. Applied Research [Online]. Available on: http://www.lbl.gov/Education/ELSI/research-main.html  (Accessed on 11th December 2012) 
5. Business Research Methods/ Research Methodology[Online]. Available on: http://www.researchmethodology.info/definition-of-business-research/ (Accessed on 11th December 2012)
6. Why do we need Reasearch[Online]. Available on: http://www.alzheimer-europe.org/Research/Understanding-dementia-research/Participating-in-research/Why-do-we-need-research (Accessed on 11th December 2012)

Images

1. http://www.trinity-mirror-north-east.co.uk/research.aspx(Accessed on 12th November 2012)