What is Research?

In our daily lives we often encounter a problem. And this, leads us to have a question and a quest to solve it. As we try to look for a solution, we often simply accept any answer regardless its credibility. Often because we want a quick repair. Nonetheless, if we want to gain in depth or a new knowledge, we might want to question and analyze our opinion.During this process, we will also gather evidence to support our opinion before passing the result to others.Now, let's delve further into the technical side of this activity.

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What is Research?

Research is a series of activities that entails collecting, analyzing and interpreting information/data in order to obtain knowledge and answer to a problem or a question. It is a systematic process in accordance with appropriate preferred methodologies set by specific fields or academics. According to Babie (1998), “Research involves inductive and deductive methods”. These two methods are interconnected and complement each other. Inductive is the first process in a research which is to identify the broad principles and underlay an object or a phenomenon examined, whilst deductive is to verify the hypothesis through examination.

The spirit of a research lies in one’s ability to have an authentic opinion or ideas about a particular object. This can be obtained through creating thought-provoking questions, building a strong argument, gathering credible evidence and convincing presentation.

What are research purposes?

Research is conducted with a purpose.Patton (1990) classified research purposes into four different types: basic research, applied research, evaluation and action research. It is depending on our first question as to why we conduct the research. Do we want to understand? to find? or to solve a problem?.A researcher- someone who is conducting a research might determine their purpose at early stage in order to get a suitable research method and approach.

What are research processes and methods?

As mentioned before, research is a series of activities, hence it has a systematic process. There is a general processes in conducting a research which includes : having a problem, asking a question, making a hypothesis, gathering evidence and making a conclusion. However, Anglin, Ross, and Morrison (1995) elaborated each processes into seven steps. The first is selecting a topic then, identifying the problem, followed by conducting a literary research, next stating the research question, then determining the research design. The sixth is determining methods and the last identifying analysis procedures.

Furthermore, research methods commonly consist of two : qualitative and quantitative. However, there is another method combining the two, called mixed method research. As a researcher, it is crucial to pick a method so it suits the objectives of the research. Additionally, it is important to also look on seemingly trivial elements such as participants, materials and instrument.

Conclusion

Research is a rewarding activity that will help us answer our question whilst providing solid evidence to our reasoning. A good researcher must follow certain processes and methods in order to provide benefits which could be applied either directly or indirectly.

References

• _{What is research? (n.d.). Retrieved September 2, 2018, from http://www.personal.psu.edu/wxh139/research_talk.htm}

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_{Disclaimer
The information provided is part of my university assignment on Linguistic Methodology Research. If you have any objection, ideas or constructive criticism, do not hesitate to leave a comment. Any form of feedbacks are appreciated.I will get back to you as soon as possible.}