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Characteristics of Research

1. Research is intended to be generalized and representative of the overall population by studying samples. The findings from samples should provide insight into the total population. 2. Research aims to control variables as much as possible to minimize outside influences and isolate the effects of specific factors being studied. However, fully controlling social science research can be difficult. 3. Research must follow rigorous, well-justified procedures and methods to ensure accurate and reliable results.

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Zean Benedict
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93 views2 pages

Characteristics of Research

1. Research is intended to be generalized and representative of the overall population by studying samples. The findings from samples should provide insight into the total population. 2. Research aims to control variables as much as possible to minimize outside influences and isolate the effects of specific factors being studied. However, fully controlling social science research can be difficult. 3. Research must follow rigorous, well-justified procedures and methods to ensure accurate and reliable results.

Uploaded by

Zean Benedict
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH:

1. Generalised: The researcher usually divides the identified population into


smaller samples. Sending on the resource availability at the time of research
being conducted. This sample is understood to be the appropriate
representative of the identified population therefore the findings should also
be applicable to and representative of the entire population. The analytical
information obtained from studying these samples should be given a fair idea
of total population of being follower of particular ideology, beliefs, social
stigmas, driving force, etc. E.g. A study to understand the occupancy statistics
and patterns of small hotels and resorts in a given city would involve the
researcher studying selected properties after the city is divided into zones
(East, West, North, South and Central). He may also divide the properties on
the basis of number of rooms for categorization and selection for study
purposes thus ensuring that the findings are representative of entire city.
2. Controlled: The concept of control implies that, in exploring causality in
relation to two variables (factors), you set up your study in a way that
minimizes the effects of other factors affecting the relationship. Some variables
are classified as controlling factors and the other variables may be classified as
possible effects of controlling factors. Laboratory experiments as in oure
sciences like chemistry can be controlled but any study that involves societal
issues cannot be controlled. E.g. Destination studies are not controllable as
they have variables like geography, climate, accessibility, seasonality, etc but
studying the effects of standard operating procedures in a hotel applied in a
particular service can be controlled
3. Rigorous: One must be careful in ensuring that the procedures followed to
find answers to questions are relevant, appropriate and justified. Again, the
degree of rigor varies markedly between the physical and social sciences and
within the social sciences.
4. Empirical: The processes adopted should be tested for the accuracy and
each step should be coherent in progression. This means that any conclusions
drawn are based upon firm data gathered from information collected from real
life experiences or observations. Empirical nature of research means that the
research has been conducted following rigorous scientific methods and
procedures. Quantitative research is easier to prove scientifically than
qualitative research. In qualitative research biases and prejudice are easy to
occur.
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH:

5. Systematic: The procedure or process being developed to undertake a study


should be carefully drafted to ensure that resources utilization is optimized.
Chaotic or disorganized procedures would never yield expected outcomes. The
steps should follow a logical sequence to get to the desired outcome. E.g The
meal in a fine dine restaurant at a five-star hotel cannot commence with
dessert being served before the starter or soup course.
6. Reliability: This is a degree to which the result of a measurement,
calculation, or specification can be depended on to be accurate. It is difficult to
be measured accurately, but now there are instruments which can estimate
the reliability of a research. It is the extent to which an experiment, test,
measuring procedure, research, research instrument, tool or procedure yields
the same results on repeated trials. If any research yields similar results each
time it is undertaken with similar population and with similar procedures, it is
called to be a reliable research.
7. Validity & Verifiability: It is the extent to which a concept, conclusion or
measurement is well-founded and likely corresponds accurately to the real
world. The word "valid" is derived from the Latin validus, meaning strong. This
should not be confused with notions of certainty nor necessity. The validity of
a measurement tool (for example, a test in education) is considered to be the
degree to which the tool measures what it claims to measure. Validity is based
on the strength of a collection of different types of evidence. In terms of
research validity is the strength with which we can make research conclusions,
assumptions or propositions true or false. Validation refers to accuracy of
measurement whether or not it measures what it is supposed to measure. It
also ascertains the application of research in finding the solution to an issue in
different conditions. This gives a clear direction to the research activity. The
findings of a study should be verifiable by the researcher as well as anyone else
who wants to conduct the study on similar guidelines/ under similar
conditions.
8. Critical: Critical scrutiny of the procedures used and the methods employed
is crucial to a research enquiry. The process of investigation must be fool proof
and free from drawbacks. The process adopted and the procedures used must
be able to withstand critical scrutiny.

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