What is the nature of research?

Research is a systematic and scientific investigation of a subject or phenomenon, with the goal of
discovering new knowledge or understanding. It identifies the variables, collects and analyses data on
such variables to find answers to certain crucial questions. Orderliness is the hallmark of research. 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.

PURPOSE OF RESEARCH

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.

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.

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.

#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. 

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. 

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. 

9. Research helps you reach people

The public needs to know what the facts are, so they have a clear idea of what “getting worse” or “not
progressing” actually means.

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. 

CHARACTERISTICS

Empirical: Research is based on data and observations that can be measured and verified.

There are two ways to examine Empirical Evidence – quantitative and qualitative.

Objective: Research is unbiased and based on facts and evidence, rather than personal opinions or
beliefs.

Systematic: Research follows a structured and organized process, with clear methods and procedures.

Replicable: Research is designed in such a way that others can replicate the study to test the validity of
the findings.

Generalizable: Research findings can be applied to a larger population or context.

Progressive: Research builds on existing knowledge and contributes to the advancement of a field or
discipline.

Critical: Research involves the evaluation of evidence and the identification of strengths and limitations.

Creative: Research is about generating new ideas and innovative solutions.

Introduction:

Research is how individuals and business collect and analyze data. Accurate and irrelevant research
guide, key business decisions, including marketing plans, staffing decisions and expansions, and critical
data, like environmental impacts, health care, and social characteristics.

Determining what data is most useful for your goals and finding the most effective ways to obtain it can
help your company make successful long-term decisions.

• Research begins by asking for the right questions and choosing an appropriate method to
investigate the problem

• Research is scientific and non-scientific fields

• Research methods are classified based on different criteria, such as general category, nature of
the study, the purpose of the study and research design.

Why is Research important in Business Communication?

Business research helps to identify opportunities and threats. It helps identify problems and using this
information, wise decisions can be made to tackle the issue appropriately. It helps to understand
customers better and hence can be useful to communicate better with the customers or stakeholders.

Types or Research

Types of research refer to different methodologies used to conduct research. Different may be better
suited for certain studies based on your goals, timelines and purposes. The first task is to determine
what you want to study and your goals.

Different types of research useful across industries and fields including:

• Biology, Chemistry, in other science-based fields

• Government Offices and Agencies

• Education

• Business

Types of Research

Fundamental Research
Fundamental research, also known as basic research or pure research does not usually generate findings
that have immediate applications in a practical level. Fundamental research is driven by curiosity and the
desire to expand knowledge in specific research area. This type of research makes a specific contribution
to the academic body of knowledge in the research area.

Applied Research

Applied Research “aims to finding solution for an immediate problem facing a society, or an
industrial/business organization, whereas fundamental research is mainly concerned with the
formulation of the theory”

Types of Applied Research include:

• Technological: This research looks for ways to improve efficiency in products, processes and
production.

• Scientific: This research measures certain variables to predict behaviors, outcomes, and impact.

Research based on Inquiry

Inquiry-based Research gives student wicked problems to solve based on observation and gathering
evidence. Inquiry-based Research asks student to key concepts and questions with active involvement in
discipline – specific inquiry methods and research.

Research based on Purposed

Establishing hypotheses, gathering data, evaluating, and so on all contribute to achieving a research
purpose. It explains the particular topic and aims of the research study, giving readers with a precise,
clear grasp of the outcomes.

Research based on Method

It involves studying the methods used in your field and the theories or principles behind them, in order
to develop an approach that matches your objectives. Methods are the specific tools and procedures you
use to collect and analyze data

Most frequently used methods include:

1. Observation / Participant Observation

2. Surveys
3. Interviews

4. Focus Groups

5. Experiments

6. Secondary Data Analysis / Archival Studyb

7. Mixed Methods (combination of some of the above)

 (Slide1)

Measuring Instruments

Measurement tools are instruments used by researchers and practitioners to aid in the assessment or
evaluation of subjects, clients or patients. The instruments are used to measure or collect data on a
variety of variables ranging from physical functioning to psychosocial wellbeing.

(Slide 2)

TYPES OF MEASURING INSTRUMENTS

-Standardized Instruments

-Researcher-Developed Instrument

(Slide 3)

Standardized Instruments

An evaluation or measurement instrument that is valid and reliable, replicable, without changes or
adaptations in its structure and content, in different populations with similar characteristics.

(Slide 4)

Researcher-Developed Instrument

Researcher-made questionnaire refers to the instrument to be used in a research prepared or crafted by

the researcher himself or herself. The contents are primarily based from the information shared by his or
her colleagues, the panel of experts, and the personal knowledge of the researcher himself or herself.

Intro)
Evaluating the Research Instrument

(Slide 2)

What is a Research Instrument?

A Research Instrument is a tool used to collect, measure, and analyze data related to your research
interests. It can be checklists, numerical rating scales, questionnaires, interviews, and direct observation.

(Slide 3)

Evaluating an Instrument for Research

One of the challenging aspects of planning a research study is selecting an instrument. It is important to
know that designing your own instrument is a complicated, lengthy process, and if at all possible, you
should use one that has already been developed.

When selecting an instrument, look for the publication where the instrument's development is
described. If, for instance, you read about a study where a particular tool was used, check the reference
list for the article that reports the instrument development.

(Slide 4)

In order to be used for data collection, the instrument must have adequate RELIABILITY.

Reliability can be thought of as consistency. Does the instrument consistently measure what it is
intended to measure? It is not possible to calculate reliability; however, there are four general estimators
that you may encounter in reading research:

1. Inter-Rater/Observer Reliability

2. Test-Retest Reliability

3. Parallel-Forms Reliability

4. Internal Consistency Reliability

(Slide 5)
• Inter-Rater/Observer Reliability: The degree to which different raters/observers give consistent
answers or estimates.

• Test-Retest Reliability: The consistency of a measure evaluated over time.

• Parallel-Forms Reliability: The reliability of two tests constructed the same way, from the same content.

• Internal Consistency Reliability: The consistency of results across items, often measured with
Cronbach’s Alpha.

(Slide 6)

VALIDITY is the extent to which an instrument measures what it is supposed to measure and performs as
it is designed to perform. It is rare, if nearly impossible, that an instrument be 100% valid, so validity is
generally measured in degrees.

The remainder of this discussion focuses on EXTERNAL validity and CONTENT validity.

(Slide 7)

External validity is the extent to which the results of a study can be generalized from a sample to a
population.

Content validity refers to the appropriateness of the content of an instrument. In other words, do the
measures (questions, observation logs, etc.) accurately assess what you want to know?