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What Is Research

Research is a systematic investigation aimed at discovering new knowledge or resolving problems through scientific scrutiny. It can be categorized based on application, purpose, data type, and approaches, including pure, applied, qualitative, and quantitative research. The characteristics of effective research include accuracy, objectiveness, and systematic methodology.

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Ange Lie Gardoce
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6 views23 pages

What Is Research

Research is a systematic investigation aimed at discovering new knowledge or resolving problems through scientific scrutiny. It can be categorized based on application, purpose, data type, and approaches, including pure, applied, qualitative, and quantitative research. The characteristics of effective research include accuracy, objectiveness, and systematic methodology.

Uploaded by

Ange Lie Gardoce
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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WHAT IS

RESEARCH?
WHAT IS RESEARCH?

research. 1.a. the systematic investigation into


and study of materials, sources, etc, in order
to establish facts and reach new conclusions.
b. an endeavour to discover new or collate old
facts etc by the scientific study of a subject or
by a course of critical investigation. [Oxford
Concise Dictionary]

2
WHAT IS RESEARCH?
Research is what we do when we have a question
or a problem we want to resolve
We may already think we know the answer to our
question already
We may think the answer is obvious, common
sense even
But until we have subjected our problem to
rigorous scientific scrutiny, our 'knowledge'
remains little more than guesswork or at best,
intuition.

3
RESEARCH

Any honest attempt to study a problem systematically or to


add to man’s knowledge of a problem may be regarded as
research. (Theodorson and Theodorson 1969 cited in
Reber 1995, p.663)

The aim, as far as I can see, is the same in all sciences. Put
simply and cursorily, the aim is to make known something
previously unknown to human beings. It is to advance
human knowledge, to make it more certain or better fitting
. . . the aim is, as I have said, discovery. (Elias 1986, p.20)
WHY UNDERTAKE RESEARCH?

• To investigate some existing situation or problem.


• To provide solutions to a problem.
• To explore and analyse more general issues.
• To construct or create a new procedure or system.
• To explain a new phenomenon.
• To generate new knowledge.
• A combination of two or more of any of the above.
(Hussey and Hussey 1997)
WHAT IS RESEARCH AND WHY DO IT?

What?
▪ Investigation of a problem in scientific manner
▪ Discovery of a solution that advances state of
knowledge in areas from theory to algorithms to prototypes
to experimentation to applications

Why?
▪ Create, have fun, play
▪ Invent, be on leading edge of discovery, be a scientist
▪ Transfer discoveries to benefit society
▪ Work in interesting and rewarding careers
CHOOSING A RESEARCH AREA
Criteria
▪ Exciting and interesting area to you
▪ Important problems in area
▪ Research type is suitable to you

Ways to identify a research area


▪ Take courses, attend seminars and colloquia
▪ Talk to professors, visitors, other students
▪ Consider both applied and theoretical areas
▪ Read widely
▪ Learn about yourself, what you like, etc.
▪ Solve some research problems
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH

• ACCURACY

• OBJECTIVENESS

• TIMELINESS

• RELEVANCE

• CLARITY

• SYSTEMATIC
TYPES OF
RESEARCH
BASED ON APPLICATION OF RESEARCH METHOD

Pure research takes place to explore a particular


concept, or issue, without regard for a specific problem,
and may be carried out to simply gain a better
understanding of the overall concepts.

Applied research is undertaken to solve a specific


problem or provide a solution to a practical question.
BASED ON PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH

Exploratory research

Takes place where there is little or no prior knowledge of a


phenomenon.

This type of research attempts to gain some familiarity with


the appropriate concepts and looks for patterns or ideas
without any preconceived ideas or explanation.
Descriptive research

Describes a particular phenomenon, focusing upon the


issue of what is happening, or how much of it has happened,
rather than why it is happening.
Explanatory research

This type of research is involved in explaining why


something happens, and assessing causal relationships
between variables.
Predictive research

Forecasts future phenomena, based on the


interpretations suggested by explanatory research.
Correlational research

This shows relationships or connectedness of two


factors, circumstances or agents called variables that
affect the research. It is only concerned in indicating the
existence of a relationship, not the causes and ways of
the development of such relationship.
Action research

This type of research studies an ongoing practice of a


school, organization, community or institution for the
purpose of obtaining results that will bring
improvements in the system.
BASED ON TYPES OF DATA NEEDED

Qualitative research
This requires non-numerical data, which means that the
research uses words rather than numbers to express the
results, the inquiry, or investigation about people’s thoughts,
beliefs, feelings, views and lifestyles regarding the object of
the study.

These opinionated answers from people are not


measurable; so, verbal language is the right way to express
findings.
Quantitative research
This involves measurement of data. Thus, it presents
research findings referring to the number or frequency of
something in numerical forms (i.e. using percentages,
fractions, numbers).
BASED ON NATURE OF DATA STUDIED

Primary research
Refers to research that has involved the collection of original
data specific to that particular research project, for example
through using research methods such as questionnaires or
interviews.

Secondary research
Refers to research where no such original data is collected,
but the research project uses existing (or secondary)
sources of data, for example census or archive data.
TYPES OF RESEARCH DATA

Primary data
These are obtained through direct observation or contact
with people, artifacts, paintings, etc.

Secondary data
These have already been written about or reported on and
are available for reading purposes.
APPROACHES TO RESEARCH

Scientific or Positive Approach


This is where you discover and measure information as well
as observe and control variables in an impersonal manner. It
allows control of variables. Therefore, the data gathering
techniques appropriate for this approach are structured
interviews, questionnaires and observational checklists.

The data given by these techniques are expressed through


numbers, which means that the method is suitable for
quantitative research.
Naturalistic Approach
In contrast to scientific approach that uses numbers to
express data, the naturalistic approach uses words. This
research approach directs you to deal with qualitative data
that speak of how people behave toward their surroundings.
These are non-numerical data that express truths about the
way people perceive or understand the world.

Since people look at their world in a subjective or personal


basis in an uncontrolled or unstructured manner, a
naturalistic approach happens in a natural setting.
Triangulation Approach
This means combining the two approaches in designing
research.

In this case, one is free to gather and analyse data using


multiple methods, allowing one to combine or mix up
approaches, research types, data gathering, and data
analysis techniques.

Triangulation approach gives you the opportunity to view


every angle of the research from different perspectives.
(Badke 2012; Silverman, 2013)

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