Research is a systematic and scientific investigation of a subject or phenomenon, with the goal

of discovering new knowledge or understanding. It can be conducted in a variety of fields,

including science, medicine, engineering, social sciences, and humanities. Research can take
many forms, including experiments, surveys, case studies, and literature reviews. It is typically
conducted using the scientific method, which involves formulating a hypothesis, collecting data,
analyzing the data, and drawing conclusions. The goal of research is to contribute to the body of
knowledge in a particular field and to advance human understanding of the world.

Research, as explained earlier, is systematic and critical investigation of a phenomena. It identifies the
variables, collects and analyses data on such variables to find answers to certain crucial questions. These
answers contribute further to increase human knowledge. Orderliness is the hallmark of research.
Research has to have an organic unity. This becomes essential if the knowledge which accrues from
research is to be verified; for, it must be verifiable by anybody who takes the trouble to do so. In fact,
research is considered to be a formal, systematic, intensive process of carrying on the scientific method
of analysis. It involves a more systematic structure of investigating, usually resulting in some sort of
formal record of procedures and results or conclusions.

“Systematic inquiry directed toward the creation of knowledge.” (Groat & Wang, p. 7).
Scientific, systematic or other approach used to study a problem. An acceptable approach to
acquire dependable & useful information about our problem so we can then analyze the
information.
There are two major approaches to research in the behavioral and social sciences—qualitative
and quantitative. Qualitative research focuses on in-depth understanding of social and human
behavior and the reasons behind such behavior.

Research is a process of seeking out answers to a specific problem. It can be conducted for
several purposes, such as to understand a phenomenon, behavior, or test a theory.
https://study.com/learn/lesson/research-purpose-examples.html#:~:text=Research%20is
%20a%20process%20of,knowledge%20and%20supports%20many%20theories.
The primary purposes of basic research (as opposed to applied research) are documentation,
discovery, interpretation, and the research and development (R&D) of methods and
systems for the advancement of human knowledge.

No matter what career field you’re in or how high up you are, there’s
always more to learn. The same applies to your personal life. No matter how
many experiences you have or how diverse your social circle, there are things
you don’t know. Research unlocks the unknowns, lets you explore the world
from different perspectives, and fuels a deeper understanding. In some areas,
research is an essential part of success. In others, it may not be absolutely
necessary, but it has many benefits. Here are ten reasons why research is
important:

#1. Research expands your knowledge base

The most obvious reason to do research is that you’ll learn more. There’s
always more to learn about a topic, even if you are already well-versed in it. If
you aren’t, research allows you to build on any personal experience you have
with the subject. The process of research opens up new opportunities for
learning and growth.

#2. Research gives you the latest information

Research encourages you to find the most recent information available. In
certain fields, especially scientific ones, there’s always new information and
discoveries being made. Staying updated prevents you from falling behind
and giving info that’s inaccurate or doesn’t paint the whole picture. With the
latest info, you’ll be better equipped to talk about a subject and build on
ideas.

#3. Research helps you know what you’re up against

In business, you’ll have competition. Researching your competitors and what
they’re up to helps you formulate your plans and strategies. You can figure
out what sets you apart. In other types of research, like medicine, your
research might identify diseases, classify symptoms, and come up with ways to
tackle them. Even if your “enemy” isn’t an actual person or competitor, there’s
always some kind of antagonist force or problem that research can help you
deal with.

#4. Research builds your credibility

People will take what you have to say more seriously when they can tell you’re
informed. Doing research gives you a solid foundation on which you can build
your ideas and opinions. You can speak with confidence about what you know
is accurate. When you’ve done the research, it’s much harder for someone to
poke holes in what you’re saying. Your research should be focused on the best
sources. If your “research” consists of opinions from non-experts, you won’t be
very credible. When your research is good, though, people are more likely to
pay attention.

#5. Research helps you narrow your scope

When you’re circling a topic for the first time, you might not be exactly sure
where to start. Most of the time, the amount of work ahead of you is
overwhelming. Whether you’re writing a paper or formulating a business plan,
it’s important to narrow the scope at some point. Research helps you identify
the most unique and/or important themes. You can choose the themes that fit
best with the project and its goals.

#6. Research teaches you better discernment

Doing a lot of research helps you sift through low-quality and high-quality
information. The more research you do on a topic, the better you’ll get at
discerning what’s accurate and what’s not. You’ll also get better at discerning
the gray areas where information may be technically correct but used to draw
questionable conclusions.

#7. Research introduces you to new ideas

You may already have opinions and ideas about a topic when you start
researching. The more you research, the more viewpoints you’ll come across.
This encourages you to entertain new ideas and perhaps take a closer look at
yours. You might change your mind about something or, at least, figure out
how to position your ideas as the best ones.

#8. Research helps with problem-solving

Whether it’s a personal or professional problem, it helps to look outside
yourself for help. Depending on what the issue is, your research can focus on
what others have done before. You might just need more information, so you
can make an informed plan of attack and an informed decision. When you
know you’ve collected good information, you’ll feel much more confident in
your solution.

#9. Research helps you reach people

Research is used to help raise awareness of issues like climate change, racial
discrimination, gender inequality, and more. Without hard facts, it’s very
difficult to prove that climate change is getting worse or that gender
inequality isn’t progressing as quickly as it should. The public needs to know
what the facts are, so they have a clear idea of what “getting worse” or “not
progressing” actually means. Research also entails going beyond the raw data
and sharing real-life stories that have a more personal impact on people.

#10. Research encourages curiosity

Having curiosity and a love of learning take you far in life. Research opens you
up to different opinions and new ideas. It also builds discerning and analytical
skills. The research process rewards curiosity. When you’re committed to
learning, you’re always in a place of growth. Curiosity is also good for your
health. Studies show curiosity is associated with higher levels of positivity,
better satisfaction with life, and lower anxiety.

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The purpose of research is to discover new knowledge, understand and explain phenomena, test
hypotheses, and ultimately contribute to the advancement of a particular field of study.
Research can help to solve practical problems, inform policy decisions, and improve our
understanding of the world. Research can also be used to develop new products, technologies,
and treatments, and to improve existing ones. Additionally, research can be used to identify and
address societal issues, such as poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. In this way,
research can help to drive innovation and progress, and can lead to improvements in the quality
of life for people around the world.
The purpose of research is to enhance society by advancing knowledge through scientific theories, concepts
and ideas. A research purpose is met through forming hypotheses, collecting data, analysing, etc.  It
summarises the research study’s specific topic and goals, providing readers with an accurate, concrete
understanding of the findings, the purpose of research and its characteristics. 

 The research purpose should be Specific and precise – not general, broad or obscure.
 It should be defined concisely (within one or two sentences)
 The research goal should be apparent. It should not be vague, ambiguous or confusing to the readers.
 All the statements should be Goal-oriented and also stated in terms of desired outcomes.

Here are some key points to remember for the purpose of research and its characteristics.

1. State the general purpose of the Study:

The study’s overall purpose is to examine the effect of learning a foreign language early and how it will affect
them.

2. Identify the specific purpose of every key variable:

How they grasp, reading fluency, reading comprehension, vocabulary, and interest in the language are the
particular variables.

3. State the specific purposes for the research study:

 Identify how often parents enrol their children in learning a foreign language or how often does school
teaches.
 Determine the effect of learning a foreign language on the children’s reading fluency of their mother
language.
 Ascertain the effect of learning a foreign language on the children’s reading comprehension of their
mother language.
 Determine the effect of learning a foreign language on children’s vocabulary of their mother language.
 The purpose of research is to discover new knowledge or to verify existing
knowledge. The main goals of the research are to describe, explain, predict
and control the observed phenomenon.
 When embarking on a research project, it is important to first consider the
purpose of the research. There are many different reasons
why researchers undertake projects, such as to gain new knowledge, solve a
problem, or test a hypothesis. The purpose of the research will determine
the best methodology to use and the type of data that needs to be collected.
By clearly defining the purpose of the research at the outset, investigators
can ensure that their study is well-designed and likely to yield useful results

Characteristics of Research
The investigation of the research topic can be classified into eight types:

1. Empirical Research
Research proves scientific methods derived from real-life observations. It is also a way of gaining knowledge
using direct and indirect observation or experience. There are two ways to examine Empirical Evidence –
quantitative and qualitative. Many researchers can easily quantify the given evidence or challenge the evidence
and make sense of it in its qualitative form.

2. Logical Research
This research methodology follows sequential procedures based on valid principles. Analytical research
implies that the study goes by logical reasoning rules and the logical process of induction and deduction.
Induction is the reasoning process from a part to the whole, whereas deduction is reasoning from the premise.

3. Cyclic Research
As the name suggests, the cyclic research starts and ends with a question.  It is a cyclical process of steps that
typically begins with identifying a research problem or study issue. It then involves reviewing the literature,
specifying a purpose for the study, collecting and analysing data, and forming an interpretation of information.

4. Analytical Research
In this type of research, data is generated, recorded and analysed using proven techniques to ensure high
accuracy and repeatability while minimising potential errors. A variety of people, including students, doctors
and psychologists, use analytical research during studies to find the most relevant information. A person finds
out necessary details from analytical research to add new ideas to the material being produced.

Is a career in analytics and research good for you?

5. Controlled Research
Controlled research investigates with vigorous measures by keeping all research variables constant, excluding
the variables under investigation. IN simpler words, it compares results from a treated group and a control
group. The control group may receive no treatment, a placebo, or a different treatment.

6. Research-based on Objective
The researcher uses sound judgment to ensure that the research findings are valid. Objective-based types of
Research can be classified as descriptive, co-relational, explanatory and exploratory.

7. Research-based on statistical treatment

Researchers apply statistical methods to a data set to transform it from a group of meaningless numbers into
meaningful output. The mathematical treatment is involved in turning the available data into something more
meaningful from which information can be derived.

8. Hypothesis-based Research
This research is a statement about a scientific study’s expected outcome (a dissertation or thesis). This
statement needs to have three attributes – specificity, testability, and falsifiability for a genuine research
hypothesis. The hypothesis-based research design produces evidence that satisfies the research objectives and
can prove or refute the hypothesis.

When conducting research, it is important to consider the following characteristics:

 Purpose: The purpose of research is to find solutions to problems or to

gain knowledge about a topic.
  Focus: The focus of research is the main idea or question that the
researcher is trying to answer.
 Audience: The audience of research is the group of people who will be
reading or using the research.
 Format: The format of research is the way in which the findings are
presented, such as a book, a report, a website, or an artistic
performance.
 Style: Lastly, the style of research is how the presentation is written and
how it is organized.

1. Empirical: Research is based on data and observations that can be measured and
verified.
2. Objective: Research is unbiased and based on facts and evidence, rather than
personal opinions or beliefs.
3. Systematic: Research follows a structured and organized process, with clear
methods and procedures.
4. Replicable: Research is designed in such a way that others can replicate the study
to test the validity of the findings.
5. Generalizable: Research findings can be applied to a larger population or context.
6. Progressive: Research builds on existing knowledge and contributes to the
advancement of a field or discipline.
7. Critical: Research involves the evaluation of evidence and the identification of
strengths and limitations.
8. Creative: Research is about generating new ideas and innovative solutions.

Research is a systematic and critical investigation of a specific topic or problem. It is a

process of gathering, analyzing, and interpreting information to answer questions or
solve problems. Some key characteristics of research include:

1. Objectivity: Research is based on facts and evidence, rather than opinions or

biases.
2. Empirical: Research is based on observation, experimentation, or measurement.
3. Replicable: Research is able to be repeated by other researchers to confirm or
disprove the original findings.
4. Systematic: Research follows a specific methodology or plan.
5. Critical: Research involves the critical evaluation of information, concepts, and
theories.
6. Progressive: Research builds upon existing knowledge, and is intended to
contribute to the advancement of a field of study.
7. Peer-review: Research is usually subject to peer-review, a process in which other
experts in the field evaluate the quality of the research.
8. Iterative: Research is a process that is often iterative, meaning that it may involve
multiple stages of data collection and analysis, which may lead to new research
questions and hypotheses.