What exactly is Research?

Think of a question
How would you come up with the solution?
Research is one of the ways to find answers to your
questions.
It is an activity designed to provide answers to
questions, even simple ones that relate to day-to-day
activities.
Ways of obtaining answers to your question:
The fairly informal
Strictly scientific

Definition of research
The word research is composed of two syllables, re
and search. (Use your dictionary)
Re is a prefix meaning again, anew, over again
Search is a verb meaning to examine closely and
carefully, to test and try, or to probe.
Research: a noun describing a careful, systematic,
patient study and investigation in some field
knowledge, undertaken to establish facts or principles
(Grinnell 1993:4)
Research: a structured inquiry that utilizes acceptable
scientific methodology to solve problems and creates new
knowledge that is generally applicable

One more definition of research
Research is an ORGANIZED and SYSTEMATIC way of
FINDING ANSWERS to QUESTIONS.
ORGANIZED in that there is a structure or method in going
about doing research. It is a planned procedure, not a
spontaneous one. It is focused and limited to a specific scope.
SYSTEMATIC because there is a definite set of procedures and
steps which you will follow. There are certain things in the
research process which are always done in order to get the most
accurate results.
FINDING ANSWERS is the end of all research. Whether it is the
answer to a hypothesis or even a simple question, research is
successful when we find answers. Sometimes the answer is no,
but it is still an answer.
QUESTIONS are central to research. If there is no question,
then the answer is of no use. Research is focused on relevant,
useful, and important questions. Without a question, research
has no focus, drive, or purpose.

Very important
The difference between research and non-research
activity is the way to find answer.
The process must meet certain requirements to be
called RESEARCH
Validity
Reliability (Homework search by its definition)
Why is research important?
Research procedures do not only help us answer
simple questions. They can also be employed to
formulate formal theories or laws that govern our lives.
Application
In which issues, areas or fields we can apply the
research methodology?
Think about at least five:
.
.
.
.
.

Characteristics of research
Objective and Critical.- careful, exact evaluation and judgment
Example: If your variables change then your result will change
Logical.- Coherent argument
Example: Do not try to explain something that is impossible
Controlled.- Controlled internal and external factor
Examples: Cause-and-effect, Experiment done in a laboratory,
Rigorous.- The procedures followed to find answers to questions are
relevant, appropriate and justified.
Example: be constant with the variables and process chosen
Systematic.- Logical sequence
Example: Measurement of bloods sugar level for secundaria tecs
students
Validity and verifiability.- Whatever you conclude according to your
findings is correct and can be verified by you and others.
Example: the answer you find will be exactly the same when others do it
Empirical.-Hard evidence collected from experience or observation
Example: Health, Alcohol , Global warming


According to
Final
Purpose
Basic
Applied
Depth of
objective
Exploratory
Descriptive
Explicative
Experimental
Correlational
Source
Documentary
Laboratory
Field
Time Period
Historical
Descriptive
Experimental
Nature of
variables
Qualitative
Dichotomic
Politomic
Quantitative
Discrete
Continuous
http://www.mailxmail.com/curso-tesis-investigacion/tipos-investigacion-1-2
Evidence #1
What type of research
will you be using?

Why? (justification: 1
paragraph)