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According from iEduNote.com (2020), the word ‘research’ perhaps originates from the old French
word “researcher” that meant to ‘search again.’ It implicitly assumes that the earlier search was
not exhaustive and complete, and hence a repeated search is called for.

In practice, the term ‘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 is a scientific approach of answering a research question, solving a research problem,

or generating new knowledge through a systematic and orderly collection, organization, and
analysis of data with the ultimate goal of making the findings of research useful in decision-
making.

When do we call a 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.

According to the American sociologist Earl Robert Babbie, “research is a systematic inquiry to
describe, explain, predict, and control the observed phenomenon. Research involves inductive
and deductive methods.”

Inductive research methods are used to analyze an observed event. Deductive methods are used
to verify the observed event. Inductive approaches are associated with qualitative research and
deductive methods are more commonly associated with quantitative research (Dang, 2011).
Research is conducted with a purpose to understand:

• What do organizations or businesses really want to find out?

• What are the processes that need to be followed to chase the idea?
• What are the arguments that need to be built around a concept?
• What is the evidence that will be required for people to believe in the idea or concept?

Characteristics of research

1. A systematic approach must be followed for accurate data. Rules and procedures are an
integral part of the process that set the objective. Researchers need to practice ethics and a
code of conduct while making observations or drawing conclusions.
2. Research is based on logical reasoning and involves both inductive and deductive methods.
3. The data or knowledge that is derived is in real time from actual observations in natural settings.
4. There is an in-depth analysis of all data collected so that there are no anomalies associated
with it.
5. Research creates a path for generating new questions. Existing data helps create more
opportunities for research.
6. Research is analytical in nature. It makes use of all the available data so that there is no
ambiguity in inference.
7. Accuracy is one of the most important aspects of research. The information that is obtained
should be accurate and true to its nature. For example, laboratories provide a controlled
environment to collect data. Accuracy is measured in the instruments used, the calibrations of
instruments or tools, and the final result of the experiment.

What are the types of research?

The following discussion on the types and purposes of research was based from Dang (2011):

Basic research: A basic research is defined as collecting data to enhance knowledge. The main
motivation is knowledge expansion. It is a non-commercial research that doesn’t facilitate in
creating or inventing anything.

For example: an experiment to determine a simple fact.

Applied research: Applied research focuses on analyzing and solving real-life problems. This
type refers to the study that helps solve practical problems using scientific methods. Studies play
an important role in solving issues that impact the overall well-being of humans.

For example: finding a specific cure for a disease.

Problem oriented research: As the name suggests, problem-oriented research is conducted to

understand the exact nature of a problem to find out relevant solutions. The term “problem” refers
to multiple choices or issues when analyzing a situation.

For example, revenue of a car company has decreased by 12% in the last year. The following
could be the probable causes: there is no optimum production, poor quality of a product, no
advertising, or economic conditions.

Problem solving research: This type of research is conducted by companies to understand and
resolve their own problems. The problem-solving method uses applied research to find solutions
to the existing problems.
Qualitative research: Qualitative research is a process that is about inquiry. It helps create in-
depth understanding of problems or issues in their natural settings. This is a non-statistical
method.

Types of qualitative methods include:

• One-to-one Interview: This interview is conducted with one participant at a given point in
time. One-to-one interviews need a researcher to prepare questions in advance. The
researcher asks only the most important questions to the participant. This type of interview
lasts anywhere between 20 minutes to half an hour. During this time the researcher collects
as many meaningful answers as possible from the participants to draw inferences.

• Focus Groups: Focus groups are small groups comprising of around 6-10 participants who
are usually experts in the subject matter. A moderator is assigned to a focus group who
facilitates the discussion amongst the group members. A moderator’s experience in
conducting the focus group plays an important role. An experienced moderator can probe the
participants by asking the correct questions that will help them collect a sizable amount of
information related to the research.

• Ethnographic Research: Ethnographic research is an in-depth form of research where

people are observed in their natural environment. This method is demanding due to the
necessity of a researcher entering a natural environment of other people. Geographic
locations can be a constraint as well. Instead of conducting interviews, a researcher
experiences the normal setting and daily life of a group of people.

• Text Analysis: Text analysis is a little different from other qualitative methods as it is used
to analyze social constructs by decoding words through any available form of documentation.
The researcher studies and understands the context in which the documents are written and
then tries to draw meaningful inferences from it. Researchers today follow activities on a social
media platform to try and understand patterns of thoughts.

• Case Study: Case study research is used to study an organization or an entity. This method
is one of the most valuable options for modern research. This type of research is used in fields
like the education sector, philosophical studies, and psychological studies. This method
involves a deep dive into ongoing research and collecting data.

Quantitative research: Qualitative research is a structured way of collecting data and analyzing
it to draw conclusions. Unlike qualitative methods, this method uses a computational and
statistical process to collect and analyze data. Quantitative data is all about numbers.

Quantitative research involves a larger population — more people mean more data. With more
data to analyze, you can obtain more accurate results. This method uses close-ended questions
because the researchers are typically looking to gather statistical data.

Online surveys, questionnaires, and polls are preferable data collection tools used in quantitative
research. There are various methods of deploying surveys or questionnaires.

Online surveys allow survey creators to reach large amounts of people or smaller focus groups
for different types of research that meet different goals. Survey respondents can receive surveys
on mobile phones, in emails, or can simply use the internet to access surveys.