The Importance of Research

Study Implications

The purpose of research is to inform action. Thus, your study should seek to contextualize its
findings within the larger body of research. Research must always be of high quality in order to
produce knowledge that is applicable outside of the research setting. Furthermore, the results of
your study may have implications for policy and future project implementation.

One problem that often plagues progress in global health is the slow translation of research into
practice. Often, a disconnect exists between those who conduct research and those who are
positioned to implement the research findings. The underlying problem is that “the production of
evidence is organized institutionally with highly centralized mechanisms, whereas the
application of that science is highly decentralized. This social distance prevails because
scientists are more oriented to the international audiences of other scientists for which they
publish than to the needs of practitioners, policy makers, or the local public.”(1)

Thus, as researchers, it is imperative to take steps to overcome this barrier. Publishing your
study may be one initial step to make your research known to the global community. Other
proactive measures can be taken to encourage the uptake of evidence-based interventions. For
example, you can present your research findings at various venues, such as Unite for Sight’s
Global Health and Innovation Conference. Furthermore, you can send the results of your study
to local officials, policy-makers, and community leaders.

Goals of Research

There are relatively few published studies about eye care in developing countries, and Unite For
Sight encourages all volunteers to consider developing a research study to contribute important
knowledge to the eye care community on a global scale. Pursuing a research project will be a
challenging and rewarding experience, and this opportunity enables you to pursue an in-depth
original study about a topic of interest.

Well-conducted research is vital to the success of global heath endeavors. Not only does
research form the foundation of program development and policies all over the world, but it can
also be translated into effective global health programs. Research draws its power from the fact
that it is empirical: rather than merely theorizing about what might be effective or
what could work, researchers go out into the field and design studies that give policymakers
hard data on which they can base their decisions. Furthermore, good research utilizes
methodologies that can be replicated, produces results that are examinable by peers, and
creates knowledge that can be applied to real-world situations. Researchers work as a team to
enhance our knowledge of how to best address the world’s problems.

The “Iterative” Process of Research

Ultimately, the key to a successful research project lies in iteration: the process of returning
again and again to the research questions, methods, and data, which leads to new ideas,
revisions and improvements. It is easy to think of research as a step-by-step “1, 2, 3” process,
but it is important to be flexible and open to change. Oftentimes, by discussing the research
project with advisers and peers, one will find that new research questions need to be added,
variables need to be omitted, and other changes need to be made. As a proposed study is
examined and reexamined from different perspectives, it may begin to transform and take a
different shape. This is to be expected and is a component of a good research study. In
addition, it is important to examine study methods and data from different viewpoints to ensure a
comprehensive approach to the research question. In conclusion, there is no one formula for
developing a successful study, but it is important to realize that the research process is cyclical
and iterative.

Why Is Research Important?

The main purpose of research is to inform action, to prove a theory, and contribute to
developing knowledge in a field or study. This article will highlight the significance of research
with the following points:
1. A Tool for Building Knowledge and for Facilitating Learning
2. Means to Understand Various Issues and Increase Public Awareness
3. An Aid to Business Success
4. A Way to Prove Lies and to Support Truths
5. Means to Find, Gauge, and Seize Opportunities
6. A Seed to Love Reading, Writing, Analyzing, and Sharing Valuable Information
7. Nourishment and Exercise for the Mind

Finding reasons why research is important seems like a no-brainer, but many people avoid
getting involved in research. The lazy (if not mentally-drained) student is probably thinking "not
again," while a disinterested academic could just be doing it to secure job tenure and/or a
promotion. Yet, for those who like to learn, whether they are members of a learning institution or
not, doing research is not just an imperative, but a need.
What reasons may drive one to appreciate research and to engage in it?

1. A Tool for Building Knowledge and for Facilitating Learning

Research is required not just for students and academics, but for all professionals. It is also
important for budding and veteran writers, both offline and online.
Among professionals and scribes, finding an interesting topic to discuss and/or to write about
should go beyond personal experience. Determining either what the general public may want to
know about or what researchers want others to realize or to think about can serve as a reason
to do research.
"Knowledge" basically pertains to facts based on objective insights and/or study findings
processed by the human brain. It can be acquired through various ways, such as reading books
and online articles written by educators, listening to experts, watching documentaries or
investigative shows, conducting scientific experiments, and interaction with other people, among
others. These facts can be checked to ensure truthfulness and accuracy.
In epistemology, David Truncellito (n.d.) of Yale University identifies three kinds of knowledge:
procedural (competence or know-how), acquaintance (familiarity), and propositional (description
of "a fact or a state of affairs"). A factual proposition is commonly used to define "knowledge".
The Brain Research Trust acknowledges the importance of research in building knowledge.
Undoubtedly, it is crucial to finding possible cures for diseases, as well as how to prevent them.
Thus, research becomes a must to ascertain if one’s ideas are supported by previous studies or
if these ideas still need proof to be considered as knowledge.
An example of such endeavor is the 2016 study of several psychologists who examined how
sleep affects memory reactivation. In "Relearn Faster and Retain Longer: Along With Practice,
Sleep Makes Perfect", they "found that interleaving sleep between learning sessions not only
reduced the amount of practice needed by half but also ensured much better long-term
retention. Sleeping after learning is definitely a good strategy, but sleeping between two learning
sessions is a better strategy." This study supports the fact that: "Both repeated practice and
sleep improve long-term retention of information". Their findings also emphasize how highly
important sleep is to healthy brain function.
A study by The World Bank in 2006 also underscored sleep as a key factor of efficient
learning or the process of gaining optimal learning using few resources. The study reiterated the
role of sleep in: (1) protecting and restoring memory, (2) advanced learning, and (3) enhancing
mathematical ability and problem solving. It further noted that "knowledge is better consolidated
when people study at the time when they are supposed to be awake rather than, say, late-night
sessions." It cited the need for research on "the memory capacity of the poor in low-income
countries" to enable teachers in helping underprivileged students learn basic skills.
Said studies on the effects of sleep on the human brain are among the many topics that have
already been examined by academics and specialists in various universities and medical
institutions. A myriad of research ideas likewise awaits the attention of avid scholars and
inquisitive writers. Indeed, research is instrumental in building and improving knowledge, as well
as in supporting such knowledge with verifiable facts.

Find Research Findings in Academic Journals

2. Means to Understand Various Issues and Increase Public Awareness

Television shows and movies ooze with research - both on the part of the writer(s) and the
actors. Though there are hosts who rely on their researchers, there are also those who exert
effort to do their own research. This step helps them:
 get information that hired researchers missed,
 build a good rapport with the interviewee, and
 conduct a good interview in the process
For instance, Oprah Winfrey would have not achieved remarkable success as a news anchor
and television show host had she eschewed doing her own research about certain topics and
public figures. According to entrepreneur and lifestyle coach Paul C. Brunson, in his interview
with emotional intelligence expert and author Justin Bariso (2017), "Oprah spends a
disproportionate amount of her time gathering information from communities of people outside
of her core (different age groups, social classes, ethnicities, education levels, careers, etc.) and
then she shares that information within her community." This kind of effort shows the necessary
role of research in helping others and in raising social consciousness.
For their part, some film and TV actors would take time to interview detectives, boxers,
scientists, business owners, criminals, and teachers, among others. Others even go through
immersion to make them understand the issues of their respective characters better, such as
living in jail or in a drug rehabilitation center. Many would read literature, biographies, or journals
to have a better view or context of the story.
In her 2017 article about Daniel Day-Lewis, Lynn Hirschberg described how the multi-awarded
actor prepared for his role as dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock in Paul Thomas Anderson's
film, Phantom Thread. She wrote:
"To become Woodcock, Day-Lewis, who is 60, watched archival footage of fashion shows from
the 1940s and ’50s, studied the lives of designers, and most important, learned to sew. He
consulted with Cassie Davies-Strodder, then curator of fashion and textiles at the Victoria and
Albert Museum, in London. And for many months he apprenticed under Marc Happel, who is
head of the costume department at the New York City Ballet, watching intently and then helping
to reconstruct the famous Marc Chagall costumes for a production of Firebird. At the end of the
ballet season, Day-Lewis decided he needed to build a couture piece from scratch."
Many people within and outside the entertainment industry tend to belittle what actors do or
acting itself. However, professional thespians like Daniel Day-Lewis exert a great deal of effort
to make their characters believable. The dedication they give to studying their roles involves a
tremendous amount of research.
A number of films, theater plays, broadcast dramas, and online videos present stories based on
real-life events and problems. A serious writer or content producer sees how vital research is in
substantiating the context of the featured stories to entertain and/or educate audiences in
different media platforms.
As Terry Freedman opined in "The Importance of Research for ICT Teachers" (2011):
"Research can shed light on issues we didn’t even know existed, and can raise questions we
hadn’t realised even needed asking." Thus, almost all writers of imaginary tales and non-fictive
accounts do research, for doing so helps them create a good story and/or achieve strong
credibility.

3. An Aid to Business Success

Research benefits business. Many successful companies, such as those producing consumer
goods or mass-market items, invest in research and development or R&D. Different business
industries with science and engineering processes like agriculture, food and beverage,
manufacturing, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, computer software, semiconductor, information
and communication technology, construction, robotics, aerospace, aviation, and energy have
high R&D expenditure because it is critical to product innovation and to improving services.
R&D also helps secure a vantage point over competitors. Finding out how to make things
happen and what could differentiate them from others that offer similar products and services
can raise the company’s market value. Certainly, having relevant knowledge in achieving a
good commercial image through sound business strategies like investing in R&D can boost its
profitability.
In addition, R&D is essential to supporting a country's economy. For instance, the United
Kingdom's Department of Business Innovation and Skills (BIS), now known as the Department
for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, used to publish an annual R&D Scoreboard. The
report served "...as a benchmarking tool for companies, investors and policymakers" for 20
years. However, due to the UK government's austerity measures, it was last produced in 2010.

The Role of Research in Fueling Market Economies

4. A Way to Prove Lies and to Support Truths
Ever experienced feeling that your mate is having an affair behind your back? Some people
would overlook that and say that it's better not to know; others though would take discreet
action, hiring detectives to do the work. What does research have to do with that situation? A
lot.
Doing research to reveal lies or truths involving personal affairs contributes in either making a
relationship work or in breaking away from a dysfunctional one. For the monogamous lot, doing
research to disprove or prove infidelity is not simply a trust issue, but a right to find out the truth
- unless one's intimate partner has already admitted being polyamorous even before the
relationship started. When a person dislikes answering relationship-related questions, including
her or his whereabouts, it is better to see that as a red flag and take baby steps to save yourself
from what could become a more serious emotional mess later.
Scientists also deal with research to test the validity and reliability of their claims or those of
other scientists'. Their integrity and competence depend on the quality - and not just quantity -
of their research. Nonetheless, not everything scientists come up with get accepted or learned
by everyone, especially when factors like religion, state suppression, and access to resources
and social services (e.g., education and adequate health programs) either feed the poor
majority with lies or deter them from knowing truths to preserve the status quo.
Professional and credible journalists undertake thorough research to establish the veracity of
their stories. The movie "Shattered Glass" shown in 2003 tells the rise-and-fall story of a real-life
journalist who worked for the The New Republic based in New York City. Sans investigative
research done by fellow journalists, Stephen Glass could have written more fictitious pieces for
said editorial magazine.
According to Pew Research, social media, especially Facebook, serve as the source of news for
over 60 percent of adult Americans (Chang, Lefferman, Pedersen & Martz, 2016). Besides the
platform, fake news have become profitable for pseudo journalists whose main goal is to attract
reader clicks that lead to Google Adsense revenues.
Fact-checking to know the truth is integral to the process of research, for it is fueled by an
inquisitive and critical mind. Murray, Social News and UGC Hub (2016) suggest that before
news readers share information on social media, they need to assess the integrity of the news
source and check for similar news on legitimate media outlets.
Genuine journalists do not rely on imagination for their news reports nor do they avoid doing
research. They eschew propaganda and have no intention of misleading the public. They are
messengers of truth, not lies.

5. Means to Find, Gauge, and Seize Opportunities

Research helps people nurture their potential and achieve goals through various opportunities.
These can be in the form of securing employment, scholarships, training grants, project funding,
business collaboration, and budget traveling, among others.
For those looking for a job or for greener pastures, research is necessary. Through this process,
not only will the unemployed increase their chances of finding potential employers either
through job posting sites or employment agencies, but it can inform them if work
opportunities are legitimate. Without research, the gullible, yet hopeful jobseeker or migrant
worker may fall prey to unscrupulous headhunters who might be involved in illegal recruitment
and/or human trafficking.
After finding a free or low-cost academic course or skills development training, students and
professionals can assess their eligibility and know about application requirements and
deadlines. Such an opportunity could hone their skills and knowledge, as well as enable them to
build new connections.
Doing research also benefit civil society and its members. Funding for projects and research
initiatives has been a top concern for those who want to address social issues. However, not all
funding organizations accept proposals year-long nor are they interested in solving many social
problems. Thus, it is necessary to research for agencies that match the objectives of individuals
and non-profits involved in advocacy or programs that seek social change.
A wannabe business owner can likewise meet potential investors through research. He/She can
examine their profiles and they can do the same. A good fit in terms of vision, mission, goals
and work ethic, as well as the capital needed to launch the business is critical to making the
opportunity succeed for both.
Some hobbies and interests are expensive to pursue. One of these is traveling. For budget-
conscious tourists, searching for airfare and hotel promos, discount rides, and cheap markets is
certainly a must to maximize the value of their money.
Seizing opportunities can broaden one's social network, raise one's awareness, or secure the
support one direly needs to start a project or a business. Indeed, research contributes to a
person's ability to make life-changing decisions. It encourages self-growth, participation in
worthwhile causes, and living productively.

Seek Opportunities Through Online Research

The internet provides people a convenient way to engage in research.

6. A Seed to Love Reading, Writing, Analyzing, and Sharing Valuable Information

Research entails both reading and writing. These two literacy functions help enable computation
and comprehension. Without these skills, it is less likely for anyone to appreciate and get
involved in research. Reading opens the mind to a vast horizon of knowledge, while writing
helps a reader use her/his own perspective and transform this into a more concrete idea that
s/he understands.
Apart from reading and writing, listening and speaking are also integral in conducting research.
Interviews, attending knowledge-generating events, and casual talks with anyone certainly aid in
formulating research topics. They can also facilitate the critical thinking process. Listening to
experts discuss the merits of their studies helps the listener to analyze a certain issue and write
about such analysis.
With the wide array of ideas available, scholars and non-scholars involved in research are able
to share information with a larger audience. Some view this process as ego-boosting, while
others see it as a means to stimulate interest and encourage further studies about certain
issues or situations.
As literacy is integral in improving a person's social and economic mobility and in increasing
awareness, research then hones necessary basic life skills and makes learning a life-long
endeavor.
7. Nourishment and Exercise for the Mind
Curiosity may kill not just the cat, but the human as well. Yet, it is the same curiosity that fuels
the mind to seek for answers. The College Admissions Partners (n.d.) notes how scientific
research in particular "helps students develop critical reasoning skills...helpful for any field of
higher education..." Such search or the thinking process is food for the brain, allowing creativity
and logic to remain active. It also helps prevent mental illnesses like Alzheimer's.
Several studies have shown that mentally stimulating activities like doing research can
contribute to brain health. In "Educating the Brain to Avoid Dementia: Can Mental Exercise
Prevent Alzheimer Disease?", Margaret Gatz (2005) enumerated research findings that support
such position. However, she also noted that there may be other factors involved in averting said
mental problem. One of these is intelligence. A study involving 11 year-old pupils in Scotland in
2000, for instance, pointed to intelligence quotient (IQ) scores as "predictive of future dementia
risk". Gatz opined that clinical trials are needed and that "conclusions must be based on large
samples, followed over a long period of time." She further posited:
"...we have little evidence that mental practice will help prevent the development of dementia.
We have better evidence that good brain health is multiply determined, that brain development
early in life matters, and that genetic influences are of great importance in accounting for
individual differences in cognitive reserve and in explaining who develops Alzheimer disease
and who does not...
For older adults, health practices that could influence the brain include sound nutrition, sufficient
sleep, stress management, treatment of mood or anxiety disorders, good vascular health,
physical exercise, and avoidance of head trauma. But there is no convincing evidence that
memory practice and other cognitively stimulating activities are sufficient to prevent Alzheimer
disease; it is not just a case of “use it or lose it.”"
Gatz would have not formed such perspective if she failed to conduct her own research about
the effects of mentally stimulating activities on the human brain. This demonstrates how
research can be both an exciting and challenging cerebral endeavor. Various studies may or
may not support each other based on gathered information and/or other evidence. Data
collection and analysis are vital aspects of the research process. These are mental activities
that both expend brain energy and nurture brain health.
Indeed, research and doing research encourage people to explore possibilities, to understand
existing issues, and to disclose truths and fabricated ones. Without research, technological
advancement and other developments could have remained a fantasy. Reading, writing,
observing, analyzing, and social interaction facilitate an inquisitive mind's quest for knowledge,
learning, and wisdom. Research serves as a bridge to achieve that goal.

Research Basics for High School Students by Journal Storage (JSTOR)

How to Conduct Research for Beginners

Research is about contributing to a growing pool of knowledge and information. Although we
inherently are curious as kids and young adults, there is a methodology for conducting research.
Use the following tips to get you started:
Organize and prioritize your available resources. It is important to set out a suitable
timeframe for your project and to assemble all the necessary literature, source of information
(computer/internet), and financial budget.
Identify the central question that will be explored in your paper. Generally, there is only
one research question per project, but if your project prompts you to engage with several
different questions then you should write several papers. For example, you may write a paper
on both the impact and the validity of a written consent agreement form at a medical facility.
Strong research questions are specific, original, and relevant to society and the scientific
community.
Research existing literature on the appropriate database related to your topic. Scientific
journals are a good place to start. Identify the contribution that each study provides in the
context of your research question. Examine relationships and methods of interpretation of the
data through a careful lens.

Elements of a Research Paper

Summarize your Use less than 300

1. Abstract
purpose and design. words.

Review relevant
2. Introduction: State the problem.
literature.

Discuss your study

Outline the strategy you
design including any
3. Methods: will use to analyze the
instruments you will be
data.
using.

Restate your research

4. Results: Describe your findings.
question

Discuss your findings in

the context of your Make suggestions for
5. Discussion: overall question as well future research projects
as previous literature on the subject.
and research.

Summarize the main

6. Conclusion: Restate your thesis.
points.

The many components of a research paper are less daunting when you break them down.
Common Errors Involved in Research
Designing a research project and writing a paper is no simple feat. Participants should be ready
to dedicate an ample amount of time and dedication to avoid burnout or overwhelming
themselves. Here are some common mistakes that are made in both the set-up of the project
and the research paper.

Errors in the Research Process

1. Population mistakes are as avoidable as they are common in research. It would be helpful
if you define the characteristics of the group that you wish to be included in your project
and specify the population for your question. For example, it would probably be more
beneficial to survey women about their likelihood that they talk through their problems as
opposed to men.
2. Sampling mistakes are another common research issue.. Be sure to broaden the sample if
you feel as though it is too small toe generalize. For example, if 10% of therapists at Happy
Clinic are dependent on marijuana, this does not mean that 10% of therapists in the nation
are as well.
3. The Sample Selection process is another potential research issue. If you were randomly
choosing participants in person, let’s say the mall, you would not want to only seek
participants who are receptive and agreeable. These are usually your friends and
acquaintances whose characteristics are similar to yours. Replace your non-probability
selection method with true random samples from a defined population. These are usually
the most scientifically sound.

Common Errors Associated With Research Papers

 The research question or aim is vague or is not specific enough.
 The structure of the paper is unorganized.
 The introduction is an extensive list of previous findings.
 Tables do not relate to the main question.
 The method and results sections are not defined in detail.
 The discussion does not answer the stated research question.
Make Reading Books a Habit
Even with the Internet, reading books remains important to doing research. | Source

Ways to Improve Research Skills

Are you interested in further developing your ability to do research? Try the following steps:
 Read hard copy and electronic books about research. If you do not have a computer with
Internet connection, you can go to the library, a nearby bookstore, or ask a close friend or
relative to lend you her/his smartphone or laptop so you could look for books or articles
about research. If you have access to the Internet, you can watch online tutorial videos on
research. High school students can learn from this presentation, for instance:
 Watch films and read different kinds of books, fiction and otherwise. These sources can
ignite your curiosity and drive you to seek more information. You might want to jot down
 notes about the topics discussed and/or what you have learned. You might wonder why
this is part of the research process. Watching movies, reading books, and writing various
stuff hone your comprehension and ability to analyze. These can improve your vocabulary
and aid you in finding your voice as a researcher.
For those who intend to be full-fledged researchers, consider doing these steps:
 Attend training-seminars, workshops, and conferences aimed at deepening your
knowledge and honing your skills in doing research. These events are conducted by
various organizations, particularly universities and "think tank" agencies. Use search
engines to look for these opportunities, as well as for scholarships that could help you
finance your participation in these activities.
 Search for reputable researchers in your field of interest, especially if you plan to pursue
postgraduate studies. You could email an academic, a scientist, or another professional to
inquire about their opinion on your thesis or dissertation topic. Having a research mentor
can help you gain a broader understanding of what research is all about. He or She can
likewise enrich your experience and insights as a researcher.
The human quest to seek knowledge, satisfy one's sense of wonder, develop more abilities,
connect with others, and understand society is integral to research. Perpetuating truths, as well
as debunking lies and myths require inquisitive minds and priceless integrity. As the world
continues to evolve, doing research becomes more important as a skill with enduring rewards.
Practical Research 1

Deadline of Submission of the hard copy: ON OR BEFORE 4PM NOVEMBER 28,

2019

1 whole sheet of paper Minimum of 10 sentences

Direction: Answer the following questions as comprehensively as you can. Be guided

by the allotted points per question.

1. As a grade 11 student, set your own vision, mission and goals about your
academic goals, achievements, lacks, feedbacks and experiences.

2. In what way would this course, Practical Research 1, help you to contribute in
attaining the targeted vision, mission and goals as a student?

3. How would you know that your study is significant and developing strong
research question?