What is research?

It is a systematic inquiry to discover knowledge and understanding on a particular topic, its aim is to
reproduce knowledge and understanding to others.
-Bascara, Tolosa and Manzano (1999)
Research means researching for a theory, for testing theory, or for solving a problem. It means that
something exists that needs investigation and inquiry which later has to be solved.
-Portillo, et.al.
Research is to search again or to take another more careful look to find out more.
It is a systematic quest for undiscovered truth,
It is a systematic attempt to provide answers to questions.

Why should we research? (Woodwart, 1994)

The experience of writing even a single research paper pays educational dividends to any serious
student.
1. It encourages him to develop a personal interest in a subject of his own choice.
2. It offers opportunity for genuine independent study.
3. 3. It introduces him to the sources of whatever library he is privileged to use.
4. It shows him the excitement of tracking down knowledge that is not neatly packaged in a textbook or
on a blackboard.
5. It offers him the satisfaction of completing the task more thoroughly than any routine writing
assignment.
What shall happen if students do not engage in research?

What is a research paper?

A research paper is really nothing more than an essay but with a shift in emphasis. In the ‘research
essay’ one uses facts, quotations and opinions of specialists primarily instead of opinions (Atienza, 2003).
What makes a research paper different is that much of its materials come not from a reseracher’s
head but from printed sources (Hefferman and Lincoln, 1990).
It entails a more abstract, critical and thoughtful level of inquiry (Hamid, 2005)

Writing a research paper involves:

1. Familiarizing with the works of “experts” through texts, internet or interviews to build up knowledge
on the topic.
2. Analyzing the topic by comparing it with the researcher’s knowledge about it.

*A mere review of the academic literature does not make a research paper. It wouldn’t test capacity for
critical thinking.

Two Types of Research Paper

1. Analytical (Explanatory) Research Paper
Aim: You do research to become an expert on a topic so that you can restructure and present the
parts of the topic from your own perspective.
Steps:
a. Research for a topic about which you have not made any kind of conclusions (research question
b. Analyze breaking the topic down into its parts in order to inspect or understand it.
c. Restructure the parts in a way that it becomes sensible to you.
d. Contribute your own thoughts in the discussion of the topic and draw conclusions about the topic
you have analyzed.

2. Argumentative (Persuasive) Research Paper

Aim: You do research to take a stand on an issue and use evidence to back-up your stance, not to
explore or flesh out an unresolved topic.
Steps:
1. Think of a topic which is debatable or controversial.
2. Research for evidence and reasons.
3. Come up with series of generalizations or propositions, supported by evidence or reasoning and
connected in a logical manner.
4. Make a justified conclusion.