Meaning objectives and characteristics of research

 What is Research?

The term research is derived from French word Recherche which means To go about seeking. As a name indicates research means searching again and again. It is a creative activity of searching or exploring something new about a particular phenomena by using scientific methods.

 By using the existing knowledge the researcher generate the new concepts or ideas by exploring analysing and evaluating that increase the understanding level of a phenomena. It is an art of scientific investigation for finding the answers to the different questions there by helps to solve the complex problems.

Definitions given by different authors.

According to Kerlinger, research can be defined as a "systematic, controlled, empirical and critical investigation of hypothetical propositions about the presumed relations among natural phenomena".

The encyclopedia of social science define research as "the Manipulation of generalizing to extend correct or verify knowledge".

According to Clifford woody research can be defined as "defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions, collecting, organising and evaluating data, making deductions, research conclusions and testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis".

Objectives of research

1) to find the solutions to the specific problems by the way of science.

2) to develop the human knowledge and understanding level.

3) to check the casual relationship between the variables.

4)To discover the new facts or verify and  test  the old facts.

5) To assist in forecasting, planning and decision making.

6)To genarate new ideas.

7)To increase the familiarity with the problem.

8)To explore different areas by existing knowledge.

Characteristics of research can be broadly categorised as follows.

1)Objectivity: The good research is always objective in nature  in the sense that it must free from biases and errors. In every steps of research the researcher should take the precautions to avoid ambiguity by providing the  research results as per the data.

2) Generalisability: It means the research techniques, methodologies and findings are in the nature that applies universally. We can apply the research results to large group of population.

3) Clarity in purpose: Before conducting the research we must define for what purpose the research is going to be conducting, this maybe  helps to avoid errors and confusions. Based on the purpose we can select the methodology of research that leads to more effective decision making.

4)Systematic: The research should conduct in orderly manner. For getting the best results the research has to follows chronological steps i.e defining the problems, literature review, data collection and analysis etc.

5)Cyclical nature: The research process is cyclical in nature, it means it starts with a problem and ends with another problem.

6)Replicability: The researcher in order to verify he may conducting the research again and again. Repetition in the research delivers a sound decision framework.

7) Reliability: The research should be reliable one, it means consistency in research results. If any research provides the same result in every time with the same procedures it is called reliability.

8) Accuracy: Accuracy in the methods techniques and procedures of the research that leads to sound decision making therefore during an experiment the researcher has to take precautions to maintain standards in the research.

Steps in research

Research typically involves several key steps:

1)Identify the Research Topic

Choose a specific research topic or question that interests you and is relevant to your field of study.

2)Review Existing Literature

 Conduct a thorough literature review to understand what research has already been done in your chosen area. This helps you build on existing knowledge and avoid duplication.

3)Formulate Research Questions or Hypotheses

Clearly define your research questions or hypotheses that you intend to investigate or test.

4)Design the Research

Decide on the research methodology, including data collection methods (surveys, experiments, interviews, etc.), and the sampling strategy (how you will select your research participants or data).

5)Collect Data

Implement your chosen data collection methods and gather relevant information or data.

6)Data Analysis

 Analyze the collected data using appropriate statistical or qualitative techniques, depending on your research design.

7)Interpret Results

Interpret the data analysis results to draw conclusions that address your research questions or hypotheses.

8)Discussion and Conclusion

 Discuss your findings in the context of existing literature, and provide a conclusion that summarise the key outcomes of your research.

9)References and Citations

Properly cite all sources and references used in your research to give credit to previous work and avoid plagiarism.

10)Report Writing

Write a research paper or report that includes an abstract, introduction, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion, and references.