Qualities of A Good Researcher: 11 Most Essential

by Edeh Samuel Chukwuemeka ACMC

Ten Qualities of A Good Researcher: Research entails the gathering of bits and pieces of
information and compiling same for the purpose of increasing the stock in knowledge and
solving problems. It is an art; a practice done to increase knowledge and render solutions to
problems. This is because a research raises questions, which when answered, bridges the gap in
knowledge in any field it was undertaken.
The task of researching is no small work. This is due mainly to the fact that the information
contained in a research work is usually for public consumption. There is no gainsaying the fact
that anything made for the public must be above par. Hence, a research work which is geared
towards adding value to knowledge as well as proffering solutions to problems must be rich in
content and accurate.

Having known that a piece of research work is of great importance, the quality of such piece
cannot be overlooked. Thus, for a research to be adjudged as being above standard, and also
capable of serving its core purpose, the one undertaking the research must possess certain
qualities. These qualities will enable him produce a work that will stand the test of time.

Qualities of A Researcher

These qualities which he must possess are outlined below:

1. Accuracy: A researcher must ensure that his research work is accurate. He should ensure that
the facts and figures which he is presenting are true and verifiable. There should be no room for
conjecture or guesses.

He should exhibit due diligence in presenting his work so as not to present a false and misleading
research as the accuracy of the research determines the credibility to be attached to the
researcher.
2. Open mindedness: To explain how powerful the mind is, Albert Einstein once said that the
measure of intelligence is the ability to change the mind. It is one of the most important
characteristics of a good researcher because researching has to do with finding new fact which
may sometimes require that the researchers alter previously valid facts.

The crux is that, a researcher must not be someone who hardly gives up on his beliefs, custom or
knowledge. He has to be someone who is able to see things in different lights. He must
understand that nothing is actually static and things change over time.
Researching may sometimes lead you to find out that even some of the things you consider
fundamental knowledge are not actually fundamental; or maybe there are more to it. Thus, a
researcher who is not open minded during researching is limited.
3. Motivation: A researcher must have the ability to motivate himself to work. He should not be
easily discouraged. In the course of his research, he might come across some hostile respondents.
This should not deter him from carrying on his research work.
Again, he might be met with opposition from his colleagues. Such oppositions should not serve
as a source of discouragement to him. A researcher therefore, must have the ability to encourage
and motivate himself to push on until he actualizes his aim.
4. Patience: One of the sterling attributes of a good researcher is patience. This quality is a
follow-up attribute to being motivated. A researcher must exhibit a high degree of patience, both
with his respondents and in the course of his research when the much needed result is not
forthcoming, in addition to his being consistent with the effort he puts in.

5. Prudence: The quality of being prudent has to do with his ability to manage the resources at
his disposal. Research is a capital intensive project and there are possibilities that one might not
be well funded to carry out such project. The managerial skill and ability of the researcher
becomes handy for a successful execution of the project.
Also, even if the resources are in abundance, he must be able to manage same so as to avoid
waste and extravagant spending. Therefore, a researcher must be able to effectively manage the
resources at his disposal for optimum output.
6. Expertise: Though the aim of research is to add knowledge to already existing knowledge (as
one ventures into new areas not yet explored), the researcher must have reasonable amount of
knowledge in the field he intends carrying out his research.

It will amount to a ruse if an archaeologist embarks on a research in medicine. A researcher must

therefore be an expert in the field of his research or must possess at least, reasonable amount of
knowledge in the field he professes to carry out his research.
7. Unbiased in his/her Research: At the beginning of his research, a researcher must not have a
preconceived notion or idea about the subject of his research. This is because the research may
likely not be accurate as his leanings will mostly be towards his bias. If there exists such bias, the
researcher should be liberal enough to accept findings that are against his held beliefs. This will
aid him to present an accurate and unbiased research work.
8. Interest: A researcher must show sufficient interest in the work he is doing. He should not be
distracted. His interest should be focused on the work. This is quite different from being
motivated. This is because it is the interest one has in a task that keeps him motivated.
If one is not interested in a research work, he cannot be motivated, even if all necessary things
are in place to drive the project. A researcher has to build interest from within, in the field of his
research to see him through the research work.
9. Amiable Personality: A researcher must have a friendly disposition. He should be easily
approachable and should also have the ability to communicate with people in a friendly and
coherent manner. A researcher that is unfriendly, gloomy and unapproachable may find it
difficult extracting information from his respondents.
A researcher should also exhibit friendliness to whoever works with him (if he is in a team with
other researchers). This act of friendliness reduces friction within the team and the team is most
likely to finish up their task in record time.
10. The Ability to Work Under Pressure: A researcher must be able to work under pressure
and unfavorable situations. The ability to carry out a task within little time frame and also work
in conditions that are less favorable (for example, under a hostile boss) is a quality which the
researcher should have to enable him carry out his task.

Limited time may be allocated to accomplish a research project such that if the researcher is
unable to manage his time, the work will not be done. It is therefore a needed quality of the
researcher to be able to persevere and work in unfriendly situations if he must accomplish his
task on time.
11. Analytical in his research: A researcher should be analytical and should also be able to
exhibit sound judgment. Proper analysis of issues is key to having a good research work. His
ability to reason rationally and give sound judgment affects the quality of the research work.

Where the ability to give sound judgment is missing, there may be a misapplication of principles
and rules. This might be fatal if such misapplication happens in a research work of great
importance to health. Therefore, a researcher must have the natural ability to discern what is
right between two factors brought before him.
Conclusively, whether a research work is an academic or organizational work, the researcher
must be able to consistently gather information that are needed for the task. Research has to do
with the discovery of new information and only a well planned method of information gathering
can aid in the actualizing of this aim.
The quality of a research work, its success and its usefulness is dependent on the level of
diligence exhibited by the researcher. It is imperative that the researcher is one with good
attributes to enable him scale the litmus test of acceptability of his work in the society.