Bellen, JC-Ray H.

September 19, 2020

ABM 12 2B – Hope Research 2
Sir Adrian Abarquez

Shuttleworth and Martyn (2008) wrote a broad definition of research which state that in
the broadest sense of the word, the definition of research includes any gathering of data,
information, and facts for the advancement of knowledge. What I understand from this definition
is that whenever any individual at any given point in time, gathers data by looking up something
on the internet, search in books or do any act of inquiry and use any medium wherein factual
data and validated information can be acquired, it is considered an act of researching.
Moreover, this act of research is done by that individual not only to further his understanding of
the topic or a problem but also help in adding and expanding to the existing human knowledge.
In the broadest sense, in my opinion, research may be defined simply as an act of inquiry to
further our understanding and add to the existing knowledge based on this definition.

In another definition, Creswell (2008) defined research as a process of steps used to

collect and analyze information to increase our understanding of a topic or issue. It consists of
three steps: Pose a question, collect data to answer the question, and present an answer to the
question. In this definition, the author has a more specific and progressive way of defining what
research is. According to the author, research is simply asking a question, do an act of inquiry
by collecting data to answer the question that was asked, and find a conclusion or solution on
that data you have gathered to answer your question. From a progressive perspective, research
can also be defined as a 3-step act of inquiry that involves asking a question, collecting data,
and answering the question.

References:
Creswell, J. W. (2008). Educational Research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating
quantitative and qualitative research (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson.
Shuttleworth, M., and WIlson, L. (2008). “Definitions of Research”. Explorable.
Explorable.com. Retrieved from: https://explorable.com/definition-of-research