Research? What research!?

Research is the investigation of a particular subject from many different perspectives. Research is a continuous process of looking for truth and certainty. Its' purpose is to provide detailed facts, determine current and mature issues, advocate older work, and help advance new theories.

Definition

1: "careful or diligent search"[1]

2: "studious inquiry or examination; especially : 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"[2]

3: "the collecting of information about a particular subject"[3]

Types of Research

Basic Research:

This type of research is done for personal enhancement or knowledge gaining."Basic research is used to explore the fundamental bases of behavior, without regard to how those bases are manifested in the real world. Basic research aims to explain, predict, and describe fundamental bases of behavior."[4]

Applied Research:

This type of research "is designed to solve practical problem of the modern world, rather than to acquire knowledge for knowledge's sake. The goal of applied research is to improve the human condition. It focus on analysis and solving social and real life problems."[5]

Quantitative Research:

This type of research aims "to measure the quantity or amount and compares it with past records and tries to project for future period. In social sciences, “quantitative research refers to the systematic empirical investigation of quantitative properties and phenomena and their relationships”. The objective of qualitative research is to develop and employ mathematical models, theories or hypothesis pertaining to phenomena."[6]

Qualitative Research:

This type of research "is intended to penetrate to the deeper significance that the subject of the research ascribes to the topic being researched. It involves an interpretive, naturalistic approach to its subject matter and gives priority to what the data contribute to important research questions or existing information."[7]

How to conduct research properly

First, you must(a requirement) answer these 3 questions:

• What kind of information are you looking for? i.e. Facts, opinions, reports, history, etc.

• Where would be a likely place to look? i.e. Library, the Internet, Newspaper, etc.

• How much information do you need? i.e. what perspective are you trying to take?

Second, you should conduct your primary research:

"Primary research is any type of research that you go out and collect yourself."[8] This is they type of research when you actually have to conduct a conversation with others for interviews, surveys, or just by simple observations. If you do not feel like those types of research is not required then of course you can always use secondary sources. Secondary sources are mediums such as books, journals, magazines, etc.

Third, you must evaluate your sources:

[Everything on the internet is not true or valid.] It is very important to make sure that your sources are credible because there are countless variations of information about everything on the Internet. Most of the time the information on the Internet is just opinions and can be very bias. "You will need to make decisions about what to search for, where to look, and once you've found material on your topic, if it is a valid or useful source for your writing."[9]

Fourth, you must analyze and interpret the information:

Once the information is found and is evaluated for credible sources, read through and analyze the information to find data for the research or project. This can be tedious reading through the numerous amounts of words, viewing countless videos, or listening to monotone recordings but this is the meat of the research.

Finally, you can conclude the research by communicating with other researchers and scholars:

Once the information has been analyze and interpreted, asking for other scholars expertise on the particular subject can further the details and facts of the researched subject. The other perspectives can lead to new and innovative discoveries.

References

1. Unattributed. ""Research" in 'Dictionary' tab". Merriam Webster (m-w.com). Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 8 November 2013.<http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/research>

2. Price & Oswald, Dr. "Basic Vs. Applied Research." 2006. Online Retrieved 8 November 2013. <http://psych.csufresno.edu/psy144/Content/Design/Types/appliedvsbasic.html>

3. WikiBooks. "Research Methods/Types of Research." 2013. Online Retrieved 8 November 2013. <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Research_Methods/Types_of_Research>

4. Denzin. "Definition of Qualitative Research." Online Retrieved 8 November 2013. <http://www.mrc-bsu.cam.ac.uk/cochrane/handbook500/index.htm#chapter_20/20_2_1_definition_of_qualitative_research.htm>

5. Western University. "Evaluating Sources." 2012. Online Video Retrieved 8 November 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyMT08mD7Ds>

6. Driscoll, Dana. "What is Primary Research and How do I get Started?." 2010. Online Retrieved 8 November 2013 <https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/559/01/>

7. Driscoll, Dana. "Evaluating Sources: Overview." 2012. Online Retrieved 8 November 2013 <https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/553/01/>