Research involves defining problems, formulating hypotheses, collecting and evaluating data, reaching conclusions, and testing those conclusions. It is a systematic process that requires accurate data collection and adherence to ethical standards. Research aims to generate new knowledge and insights through logical reasoning using both inductive and deductive methods. The purpose of research can be descriptive, explanatory, or exploratory. There are different types of research methodologies including basic vs applied, descriptive vs exploratory, correlational vs explanatory, qualitative vs quantitative, and conceptual vs empirical research.
2. Definition of Research
Research comprises defining and redefining
problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested
solutions; collecting, organizing and evaluating
data; making deductions and reaching
conclusions; and at last carefully testing the
conclusions to determine whether they fit the
formulating hypothesis”
3. Other definitions
-The systematic investigation into and study of
materials and sources in order to establish facts and
reach new conclusions.- The Oxford dictionary
-a detailed study of subject, especially in order to
discover (new) information or reach a
(new) understanding.- Cambridge dictionary
4. Characters of Research
A systematic approach must be followed with a standard
operating procedure ensuring accurate data.
Researchers need to practice ethics and a code of conduct
while making observations or drawing conclusions.
Research is totally based on logical reasoning and involves
both inductive as well as deductive methods.
Research always creates a way for generating new
questions.
Research is basically analytical in nature.
Whatever may be the methods for research, accuracy
remains as one of the most important aspects of
research.
6. Objectives
To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or problem and to
achieve new insights into it.
To assimilate accurately the characteristics of a particular
problem, situation or behaviour of a population.
To determine the frequency with which something occurs
or with which it is correlated with something else.
To test a hypothesis (of a formulated question) of causal
relationship between variables.
7. Motivation
Desire to get a research degree along with its
consequential benefits;
Desire to face the challenges in solving the unsolved
problems in nature, i.e., concern over basic needs with
practical problems may initiate research;
Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some innovative and
novel work;
Desire to serve the society with highest degree of
contribution;
Desire to get respectability through establishing identity,
intellectuality and personal perseverance.
10. Basic versus Applied
The primary objective of
basic research is to
generate new knowledge
for human civilization.
Example:
“Why do humans sleep?”
In general, the focus of
applied research is to
solve real or social life
problems
Example: High yielding
variety of rice
11. Descriptive versus Exploratory
A research method that
describes the characteristics
features of the subject (e.g.
population or any
phenomenon) taken for
research.
What, why etc.
No inferences.
Exploratory research is
defined as a research that
investigates a problem which
is not clearly defined.
If some information of
existing problem are already
exist, the researcher tries to
get new insight into it using
exploratory research.
Example: Infection caused by
a bacteria is more prevalent
in male than female.
12. Cor-relational versus explanatory
Cor-relational research is
a type of research
method that observes
two variables in order to
establish a statistically
Cor-relational between
them.
Explanatory Research or
causal research is
conducted for a
problem that was not
researched before or if
researched, not well
researched.
Cause and efect.
13. Qualitative versus Quantitative
Qualitative research
mainly deals social
science research where
the nature of data are
mainly non-numerical.
This type of research is
based on numerical
values or numbers.
14. Conceptual versus Empirical
Conceptual research is
the type of research
related to some abstract
ideas or theory on
natural events.
Empirical research is
based on observed and
measured phenomena
and derives knowledge
from actual experience
rather than from theory
or belief.