What is Research

RESEARCH

• Re ---------------- Search

• Re means (once more, afresh, anew) OR (back; with return to a

previous state)

• Search means (look thorough or go over thoroughly to look

something) OR (examine to find anything concealed)
Research?

Research is an ORGANIZED and SYSTEMATIC way of FINDING

ANSWERS to QUESTIONS.
• SYSTEMATIC because there is a definite set of procedures and steps
which you will follow. There are certain things in the research process
which are always done in order to get the most accurate results.
• ORGANIZED in that there is a structure or method in going about
doing research. It is a planned procedure, not a spontaneous one. It is
focused and limited to a specific scope.
• FINDING ANSWERS is the end of all research. Whether it is the
answer to a hypothesis or even a simple question, research is successful
when we find answers. Sometimes the answer is ‘no’, but it is still an
‘answer’.
• QUESTIONS are central to research. If there is no question, then the
answer is of no use. Research is focused on relevant, useful, and
important questions. Without a question, research has no focus, drive, or
purpose.
Defining Research 1 :

A collection of methods and methodologies that researchers apply

systematically to produce scientifically based knowledge about the
social world. (Neuman, 2013)
Methodology:
➢ Methodology & methods, two terms are often treated as synonyms.
➢ Methodology is broader and envelops methods. It is understanding the :
▪ social-organizational context (linking theory and research from social and organizational
psychology),

▪ philosophical assumptions (the nature of the reality, what can be known, what is important
and valuable,

▪ ethical principals (justice, informed consent, confidentiality etc) and

▪ political issues
of the enterprise (project) of researchers who use methods.
• Methods:

Methods are set of specific techniques for selecting cases, measuring

and observing aspects of social life, gathering and refining data,
analyzing data and reporting on results.
Defining Research 2 :
Research must be systematic and follow a series of steps and a rigid
standard protocol (a document that describes the background, rationale, objectives,
design, methodology, statistical considerations). These rules are broadly similar

but may vary slightly between the different fields of science.

What is Research? Definition

❖ “Research is a way of finding out answers to questions.” (Mackey &

Gass: 2005, 1)
❖ “Research is a process of steps used to collect and analyze information to
increase our understanding of a topic or issue.” (Creswell: 2012, 3)
❖ “Research is an art of scientific investigation.” (Khotari: 2004:1)
❖ “Research contributes to a body of science and follows the scientific
method.” (Bhattacherjee: 2012, 1)
❖ [Research is applying a scientific method to investigate a problem or
phenomenon with the aim of finding an appropriate solution.]
Why conduct research?

Students, professors, researchers, research centers, government,

practitioners, newspaper people, TV networks, market research
firms, schools, hospitals, social service, political parties, consulting
firms, HR departments, public interest organizations, insurance, law
firms conduct research as part of their jobs, to be better informed,
less biased decisions, in contrast to guessing, hunches, intuition, and
other personal experience.
Therefore,

❖ RESEARCH concerns with WHAT (facts and conclusions) and HOW

(scientific; critical components).

❖ Research is a iterative process that eventually seeks to explain or solve

an identified problem.

* the repetition of a process or utterance.

repetition of a mathematical or computational procedure applied to the result of a previous application,
typically as a means of obtaining successively closer approximations to the solution of a problem.
Characteristics of the Scientific Method

1. Tentative (constant review)

2. Empirically (by means of observation or experience rather than theory or pure

logic) verifiable (researchable)

3. Ethically neutral (what harm or risk involved to respondents,
confidentiality and privacy?)
4. Shared and made public
Purpose of Research

➢ explore

➢ describe

➢ explain
Types of Research

According to Purpose

▪ Fundamental/Pure/Basic - Lab research

▪ Applied - evaluation - action - social impact

Basic
- starting point for the search of new knowledge.
- provides a foundation for knowledge and foundations that are
generalizable to many policy areas, problems or area of study with the
formulation of a theory
- fundamental studies are used simply to explore certain issues and
elements
- Source of the tools – methods, theories, ideas
CONT….

- research is driven by a scientist's curiosity or interest in a scientific

question. The main motivation is to expand man's knowledge, not to
create or invent something. There is no obvious commercial value to the
discoveries that result from basic research.

For example, basic science investigations probe for answers to questions

such as:
▪ How did the universe begin?
▪ What are protons, neutrons, and electrons composed of?
▪ How do slime molds reproduce?
▪ What is the specific genetic code of the fruit fly?
Applied Research

- refers to scientific study and research that seeks to solve practical

problems. Applied research is used to find solutions to everyday problems,
to resolve issues cure illness, and develop innovative technologies, rather
than to acquire knowledge for knowledge's sake.

• For example, applied researchers may investigate ways to: Improve

agricultural crop production
• Treat or cure a specific disease
• Improve the energy efficiency of homes, offices, or modes of
transportation
CONT…….

- application of the methods, ideas, theories from basic research

- to apply and tailored knowledge to address a specific practical issue;

- towards development of more efficient technologies or particular way of

doing things.

- address issue of application

- it asks “does it work”

Action

- advances the aims of basic and applied research to the point of

utilization.
- concerned with the production of results for immediate application or
utilization.
- it improves practices and methods and generates technologies and
innovations for application to specific technological situations.
- the emphasis is here and now
 Definition of Scientific Research

Linguistics - the scientific study of language

They are researchers dedicated to the systematic study of language who
apply the scientific method by making observations, testing hypotheses,
and developing theories. When you study linguistics, you are at the
crossroads of every discipline.”

* The discipline of linguistics focuses on theories of language structure, variation and use, the
description and documentation of contemporary languages, and the implications of theories of
language for an understanding of the mind and brain, human culture, social behavior, and language
learning and teaching.
Classification of Scientific Research

Scientific research can be classified in several ways. Classification can be

made according to the data collection techniques based on causality (relation
of cause and effect), relationship with time and the medium through which they
are applied.

1. According to data collection techniques:

• Observational
• Experimental

2. According to causality relationships:

• Descriptive
• Analytical
CONT…………

3. According to relationships with time:

• Retrospective
• Prospective
• Cross-sectional (involves looking at data from a population at one specific point in time)

4. According to the medium through which they are applied:

• Clinical
• Laboratory
• Social descriptive research
 Characteristics and Criteria of Good Research

Good Research: How to Identify the Right Topic?

Every research study, irrespective of its type, should meet

some criterions so that it can be classified as good research.
CONT………

1. One of the important characteristics of a good research is that the

purpose of the research is clearly defined. A research study with clearly
defined purpose finds a wider acceptance and acknowledgement within
the research community.

2. Second important characteristic of a good research is that the research

method should be defined in a clear manner with sufficient detail.
This will allow the repetition of the study in future for further
advancement, while maintaining the continuity of what has been done in
the past
CONT……….

3. The third thing to remember is that any limitations and assumptions

made by the researcher during the course of the study should be
clearly highlighted in the research. This will support the findings of the
research study, in case someone tries to validate (to declare) the study
findings.

4. The fourth thing to remember is that, as far as possible, the research

design should be planned in a way that the results generated are as
objective as possible. This will provide an easier understanding about the
findings of the research.

* Research design is the framework of research methods and techniques chosen by a researcher.
CONT…….

5. Another thing to be considered by the researcher is that there should be

sufficient data to investigate the research topic. And the researcher
should carefully check the reliability and validity of the data.

6. Further, in order to deliver a good research, a researcher should confine

(limit) the conclusions to those justified by the data.

7. Lastly, a good research depends a great deal on the integrity (honesty) and
commitment of the researcher.