Research: Definition, Characteristics, Goals,

Approaches

Research is an original and systematic investigation undertaken to increase existing

knowledge and understanding of the unknown to establish facts and principles.

Some people consider research as a voyage of discovery of new knowledge.

It comprises the creation of ideas and the generation of new knowledge that leads to
new and improved insights and the development of new materials, devices, products,
and processes.

It should have the potential to produce sufficiently relevant results to increase and
synthesize existing knowledge or correct and integrate previous knowledge.

Good reflective research produces theories and hypotheses and benefits any
intellectual attempt to analyze facts and phenomena.

The word ‘research’ perhaps originates from the old French word “recerchier” which
meant to ‘search again.’ It implicitly assumes that the earlier search was not
exhaustive and complete; hence, a repeated search is called for.

In practice, ‘research’ refers to a scientific process of generating an unexplored horizon

of knowledge, aiming at discovering or establishing facts, solving a problem, and
reaching a decision. Keeping the above points in view, we arrive at the following
definition of research:

Research Definition
 Characteristics of Research
3 Basic Operations of Research
Research Motivation – What makes one motivated to do research?
9 Qualities of Research
Goals of Research
Research Approaches
Areas of Research
Precautions in Research

Research Definition

Research is a scientific approach to answering a research question, solving a

research problem, or generating new knowledge through a systematic and
orderly collection, organization, and analysis of data to make research findings
useful in decision‐making.

When do we call research scientific? Any research endeavor is said to be scientific if

It is based on empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of

reasoning;
It consists of systematic observations, measurement, and experimentation;
It relies on the application of the scientific methods and harnessing of curiosity;

It provides scientific information and theories for the explanation of nature;

It makes practical applications possible; and
It ensures adequate analysis of data employing rigorous statistical techniques.

The chief characteristic which distinguishes the scientific method from other methods
of acquiring knowledge is that scientists seek to let reality speak for itself, supporting a
theory when a theory’s predictions are confirmed and challenging a theory when its
predictions prove false.
Scientific research has multidimensional functions, characteristics, and objectives.

Keeping these issues in view, we assert that research in any field or discipline:

Attempts to solve a research problem;

Involves gathering new data from primary or first‐hand sources or using existing
data for a new purpose;
is based upon observable experiences or empirical evidence;
Demands accurate observation and description;
Employs carefully designed procedures and rigorous analysis;
attempts to find an objective, unbiased solution to the problem and takes great
pains to validate the methods employed;
is a deliberate and unhurried activity that is directional but often refines the
problem or questions as the research progresses.

Characteristics of Research

Keeping this in mind that research in any field of inquiry is undertaken to provide
information to support decision‐making in its respective area, we summarize some
desirable characteristics of research:

1. The research should focus on priority problems.

2. The research should be systematic. It emphasizes that a researcher should employ
a structured procedure.
3. The research should be logical. Without manipulating ideas logically, the scientific
researcher cannot make much progress in any investigation.
4. The research should be reductive. This means that one researcher’s findings
should be made available to other researchers to prevent them from repeating
the same research.
5. The research should be replicable. This asserts that there should be scope to
 confirm previous research findings in a new environment and different settings
with a new group of subjects or at a different point in time.
6. The research should be generative. This is one of the valuable characteristics of
research because answering one question leads to generating many other new
questions.
7. The research should be action‐oriented. In other words, it should be aimed at
solving to implement its findings.
8. The research should follow an integrated multidisciplinary approach, i.e., research
approaches from more than one discipline are needed.
9. The research should be participatory, involving all parties concerned ﴾from
policymakers down to community members﴿ at all stages of the study.
10. The research must be relatively simple, timely, and time‐bound, employing a
comparatively simple design.
11. The research must be as much cost‐effective as possible.
12. The research results should be presented in formats most useful for
administrators, decision‐makers, business managers, or community members.

3 Basic Operations of Research

Scientific research in any field of inquiry involves three basic operations:

1. Data collection;
2. Data analysis;
3. Report writing.

3 basic operations of research

1. Data collection refers to observing, measuring, and recording data or

information.
2. Data analysis, on the other hand, refers to arranging and organizing the
 collected data so that we may be able to find out what their significance is and
generalize about them.
3. Report writing is the ultimate step of the study. Its purpose is to convey the
information contained in it to the readers or audience.

If you note down, for example, the reading habit of newspapers of a group of residents
in a community, that would be your data collection.

If you then divide these residents into three categories, ‘regular,’ ‘occasional,’ and
‘never,’ you have performed a simple data analysis. Your findings may now be
presented in a report form.

A reader of your report knows what percentage of the community people never read
any newspaper and so on.

Here are some examples that demonstrate what research is:

A farmer is planting two varieties of jute side by side to compare yields;

A sociologist examines the causes and consequences of divorce;
An economist is looking at the interdependence of inflation and foreign direct
investment;
 A physician is experimenting with the effects of multiple uses of disposable
insulin syringes in hospital;
A business enterprise is examining the effects of advertisement of their products
on the volume of sales;
An economist is doing a cost‐benefit analysis of reducing the sales tax on
essential commodities;
The Bangladesh Bank is closely observing and monitoring the performance of
nationalized and private banks;
Based on some prior information, Bank Management plans to open new counters
for female customers.
Supermarket Management is assessing the satisfaction level of the customers
with their products.

The above examples are all researching whether the instrument is an electronic
microscope, hospital records, a microcomputer, a questionnaire, or a checklist.

Research Motivation – What makes one motivated to do

research?

A person may be motivated to undertake research activities because

He might have genuine interest and curiosity in the existing body of knowledge
and understanding of the problem;
He is looking for answers to questions which remained unanswered so far and
trying to unfold the truth;
The existing tools and techniques are accessible to him, and others may need
modification and change to suit the current needs.

One might research ensuring.

Better livelihood;
 Better career development;
Higher position, prestige, and dignity in society;
Academic achievement leading to higher degrees;
Self‐gratification.

At the individual level, the results of the research are used by many:

A villager is drinking water from an arsenic‐free tube well;

A rural woman is giving more green vegetables to her child than before;
A cigarette smoker is actively considering quitting smoking;
An old man is jogging for cardiovascular fitness;
A sociologist is using newly suggested tools and techniques in poverty
measurement.

The above activities are all outcomes of the research.

All involved in the above processes will benefit from the research results. There is
hardly any action in everyday life that does not depend upon previous research.

Research in any field of inquiry provides us with the knowledge and skills to solve
problems and meet the challenges of a fast‐paced decision‐making environment.

9 Qualities of Research

Good research generates dependable data. It is conducted by professionals and can be

used reliably for decision‐making.

It is thus of crucial importance that research should be made acceptable to the

audience for which research should possess some desirable qualities in terms of its;
 9 qualities of research are;

1. Purpose clearly defined

2. Research process detailed
3. Research design planner
4. Ethical issues considered
5. Limitations revealed
6. Adequate analysis ensured
7. Findings unambiguously presented
8. Conclusions and recommendations justified.
9. The researcher’s experiences were reflected.

We enumerate below a few qualities that good research should possess.

Purpose clearly defined

Good research must have its purposes clearly and unambiguously defined.

The problem involved or the decision to be made should be sharply delineated as

clearly as possible to demonstrate the credibility of the research.

Research process detailed

The research procedures should be described in sufficient detail to permit other

researchers to repeat the research later.

Failure to do so makes it difficult or impossible to estimate the validity and reliability of

the results. This weakens the confidence of the readers.

Any recommendations from such research justifiably get little attention from the
policymakers and implementation.

Research design planner

The procedural design of the research should be carefully planned to yield results
that are as objective as possible.

In doing so, care must be taken so that the sample’s representativeness is ensured,
relevant literature has been thoroughly searched, experimental controls, whenever
necessary, have been followed, and the personal bias in selecting and recording data
have been minimized.

Ethical issues considered

A research design should always safeguard against causing mental and physical harm
not only to the participants but also those who belong to their organizations.

Careful consideration must also be given to research situations when there is a

possibility for exploitation, invasion of privacy, and loss of dignity of all those involved
in the study.

Limitations revealed

The researcher should report with complete honesty and frankness any flaws in
procedural design; he followed and provided estimates of their effects on the findings.

This enhances the readers’ confidence and makes the report acceptable to the
audience. One can legitimately question the value of research where no limitations are
reported.

Adequate analysis ensured

Adequate analysis reveals the significance of the data and helps the researcher to
check the reliability and validity of his estimates.

Data should, therefore, be analyzed with proper statistical rigor to assist the researcher
in reaching firm conclusions.

When statistical methods have been employed, the probability of error should be
estimated, and criteria of statistical significance applied.

Findings unambiguously presented

The presentation of the results should be comprehensive, easily understood by the

readers, and organized so that the readers can readily locate the critical and central
findings.

Conclusions and recommendations justified.

Proper research always specifies the conditions under which the research conclusions
seem valid.

Therefore, it is important that any conclusions drawn and recommendations made

should be solely based on the findings of the study.

No inferences or generalizations should be made beyond the data. If this were not
followed, the objectivity of the research would tend to decrease, resulting in
confidence in the findings.

The researcher’s experiences were reflected.

The research report should contain information about the qualification of the
researchers.

If the researcher is experienced, has a good reputation in research, and is a person of

integrity, his report is likely to be highly valued. The policymakers feel confident in
implementing the recommendation made in such reports.

Goals of Research

goals of research

The primary goal or purpose of research in any field of inquiry; is to add to what is
known about the phenomenon under investigation through applying scientific
methods.

Though each research has its own specific goals, we may enumerate
the following 4 broad goals of scientific research:

1. Exploration and Explorative Research

2. Description and Descriptive Research
 3. Causal Explanation and Causal Research
4. Prediction and Predictive Research

The link between the 4 goals of research and the questions raised in reaching these
goals.

Goals/Purposes of
Types of Questions in Research
Research

What is the full nature of the problem or phenomenon?

Exploration What is going on?
What factors are related to the problem?

How prevalent is the problem?

What are the characteristics of the problem?
Description
What is the process by which the problem is
experienced?

What are the underlying causes of the problem?

Explanation What do the occurrences of the problem mean?
Why does the problem exist?

If problem X occurs, will problem K follow?

Prediction Can the occurrence of the problem be controlled?
Does an intervention result in the intended effect?

Let’s try to understand the 4 goals of the research.

1. Exploration and Explorative Research

Exploration is finding out about some previously unexamined phenomenon. In other

words, an explorative study structures and identifies new problems.

The explorative study aims to gain familiarity with a phenomenon or gain new insights
into it.

Exploration is particularly useful when researchers lack a clear idea of the problems
they meet during their study.

Through exploration, researchers attempt to

Develop concepts more clearly;

Establish priorities among several alternatives;
Develop operational definitions of variables;
Formulate research hypotheses and sharpen research objectives;
Improve the methodology and modify ﴾if needed﴿ the research design.

Exploration is achieved through what we call exploratory research.

The end of an explorative study comes when the researchers are convinced that they
have established the major dimensions of the research task.

2. Description and Descriptive Research

Many research activities consist of gathering information on some topic of interest.
The description refers to these data‐based information‐gathering activities. Descriptive
studies portray precisely the characteristics of a particular individual, situation, or
group.

Here we attempt to describe situations and events through studies, which we refer to
as descriptive research.

Such research is undertaken when much is known about the problem under
investigation.

Descriptive studies try to discover answers to the questions of who, what, when,
where, and sometimes how.

Such research studies may involve the collection of data and the creation of
distribution of the number of times the researcher observes a single event or
characteristic, known as a research variable.

A descriptive study may also involve the interaction of two or more variables and
attempts to observe if there is any relationship between the variables under
investigation.
Research that examines such a relationship is sometimes called correlational study. It
is correlational because it attempts to relate ﴾i.e., co‐relate﴿ two or more variables.

A descriptive study may be feasible to answer the questions of the following types:

What are the characteristics of the people who are involved in city crime? Are
they young? Middle‐aged? Poor? Muslim? Educated?
Who are the potential buyers of the new product? Men or women? Urban people
or rural people?
Are rural women more likely to marry earlier than their urban counterparts?
Does previous experience help an employee to get a higher initial salary?

Although the data description in descriptive research is factual, accurate, and

systematic, the research cannot describe what caused a situation.

Thus, descriptive research cannot be used to create a causal relationship where one
variable affects another.

In other words, descriptive research can be said to have a low requirement for internal
validity. In sum, descriptive research deals with everything that can be counted and
studied.

But there are always restrictions on that. All research must impact the lives of the
people around us.

For example, finding the most frequent disease that affects the people of a community
falls under descriptive research.

But the research readers will have the hunch to know why this has happened and what
to do to prevent that disease so that more people will live healthy life.

It dictates that we need a causal explanation of the situation under reference and a
causal study vis‐a‐vis causal research.

3. Causal Explanation and Causal Research

Explanation reveals why and how something happens.

An explanatory study goes beyond description and attempts to establish a cause‐and‐

effect relationship between variables. It explains the reason for the phenomenon that
the descriptive study observed.

Thus if a researcher finds that communities having larger family sizes have higher child
death or that smoking is correlated with lung cancer, he is performing a descriptive
study.

If he explains why it is so and tries to establish a cause‐and‐effect relationship, he is

performing explanatory or causal research. The researcher uses theories or at‐least
hypotheses to account for the factors that caused a certain phenomenon.

Look at the following examples that fit causal studies:

Why are people involved in crime? Can we explain this as a consequence of the
present job market crisis or lack of parental care?
 Will the buyers be motivated to purchase the new product in a new container?
Can an attractive advertisement motivate them to buy a new product?
Why has the share market shown the steepest ever fall in stock prices? Is it
because of IMF’s warnings and prescriptions on the commercial banks’ exposure
to the stock market or because of an abundant increase in the supply of new
shares?

4. Prediction and Predictive Research

Prediction seeks to answer: when and in what situations will occur if we can provide a
plausible explanation for the event in question.

However, the precise nature of the relationship between explanation and prediction
has been a subject of debate.

One view is that explanation and prediction are the same phenomena, except that
prediction precedes the event while the explanation takes place after the event has
occurred.

Another view is that explanation and prediction are fundamentally different processes.

We need not be concerned with this debate here but can simply state that in addition
to being able to explain an event after it has occurred, we would also be able to
predict when it will occur.

Research Approaches

4 research approaches

There are two main approaches to doing research.

The first is the basic approach, which mostly pertains to academic research. Many
people view this as pure research or fundamental research.

The research implemented through the second approach is variously known as

applied research, action research, operations research, or a contract research.

Also, the third category of research, evaluative research, is important in many

applications. All these approaches have different purposes influencing the nature of
the respective research.

Lastly, precautions in research are required for thorough research.

So, 4 research approaches are;

1. Basic Research.
2. Applied Research.
3. Evaluative Research.
4. Precautions in Research.

Areas of Research

The most important fields of research, among others, are;

1. Social Research.
 2. Health Research.
3. Population Research.
4. Business Research.
5. Marketing Research.
6. Agricultural Research.
7. Biomedical Research.
8. Clinical Research.
9. Outcomes Research.
10. Internet Research.
11. Archival Research.
12. Empirical Research.
13. Legal Research.
14. Education Research.
15. Engineering Research.
16. Historical Research.

Precautions in Research

Whether a researcher is doing applied or basic research or research of any other form,
he or she must take necessary precautions to ensure that the research he or she is
doing is relevant, timely, efficient, accurate, and ethical.

The research is considered relevant if it anticipates the kinds of information that will be
required by decision‐makers, scientists, or policymakers.

Timely research is completed in time to influence decisions.

Research is efficient when it is of the best quality for the minimum expenditure
and the study is appropriate to the research context.
Research is considered accurate or valid when the interpretation can account for
 both consistencies and inconsistencies in the data.
Research is ethical when it can promote trust, exercise care, ensure standards, and
protect the rights of the participants in the research process.

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