Define Research

1.
DEFINE RESEARCH
Research is the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to
establish facts and reach new conclusions. According to the American sociologist Earl Robert
Babbie, “Research is a systematic inquiry to describe, explain, predict and control the observed
phenomenon.”
Research comprises "creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock
of knowledge, including knowledge of humans, culture and society, and the use of this stock of
knowledge to devise new applications." It is used to establish or confirm facts, reaffirm the results
of previous work, solve new or existing problems, support theorems, or develop new theories. A
research project may also be an expansion on past work in the field. Research projects can be
used to develop further knowledge on a topic, or in the example of a school research project, they
can be used to further a student's research prowess to prepare them for future jobs or reports. To
test the validity of instruments, procedures, or experiments, research may replicate elements of
prior projects or the project as a whole. The primary purposes of basic research (as opposed
to applied research) are documentation, discovery, interpretation, or the research and
development (R&D) of methods and systems for the advancement of human knowledge.
Approaches to research depend on epistemologies, which vary considerably both within and
between humanities and sciences.
2. CLASSIFICATION OF RESEARCH
2.1 Basic Research/Fundamental Research
Basic research is mostly conducted to enhance knowledge. It covers fundamental aspects of

research. The main motivation of this research is knowledge expansion. It is a non-commercial
research and doesn’t facilitate in creating or inventing anything. For example, an experiment is a
good example of basic research.
2.2 Applied Research
Applied research focuses on analyzing and solving real-life problems. This type of research refers
to the study that helps solve practical problems using scientific methods. This research plays an
important role in solving issues that impact the overall well-being of humans. For example, finding
a specific cure for a disease.
2.3 Problem Oriented Research
As the name suggests, problem-oriented research is conducted to understand the exact nature
of the problem to find out relevant solutions. The term “problem” refers to having issues or two
thoughts while making any decisions.
For e.g 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,
economic conditions etc.
2.4 Problem Solving Research
This type of research is conducted by companies to understand and resolve their own problems.
The problem-solving research uses applied research to find solutions to the existing problems.
2.5 Qualitative Research
Qualitative research is a process that is about inquiry, that helps in-depth understanding of the
problems or issues in their natural settings. This is a non- statistical research method.
Qualitative research is heavily dependent on the experience of the researchers and the questions
used to probe the sample. The sample size is usually restricted to 6-10 people in a sample. Open-
ended questions are asked in a manner that one question leads to another. The purpose of asking
open-ended questions is to gather as much information as possible from the sample.
2.6 Quantitative Research
Qualitative research is a structured way of collecting data and analyzing it to draw conclusions.
Unlike qualitative research, this research method uses a computational, statistical and similar
method to collect and analyze data. Quantitative data is all about numbers.
Quantitative research involves a larger population as more number of people means more data.
In this manner, more data can be analyzed to obtain accurate results. This type of research
method uses close-ended questions because, in quantitative research, the researchers are
typically looking at measuring the extent and gathering foolproof 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. In recent times,
online surveys and questionnaires have gained popularity. Survey respondents can receive these
surveys on mobile phones, emails or can simply use the internet to access surveys or
questionnaires.
3. STAGES OF RESEARCH PROCESS
3.1 Identify the Problem

The first step in the process is to identify a problem or develop a research question. The research
problem may be something the agency identifies as a problem, some knowledge or information
that is needed by the agency, or the desire to identify a recreation trend nationally.
3.2 Review the Literature
Now that the problem has been identified, the researcher must learn more about the topic under
investigation. To do this, the researcher must review the literature related to the research problem.
This step provides foundational knowledge about the problem area. The review of literature also
educates the researcher about what studies have been conducted in the past, how these studies
were conducted, and the conclusions in the problem area.
3.3 Clarify the Problem
Many times, the initial problem identified in the first step of the process is too large or broad in
scope. In step 3 of the process, the researcher clarifies the problem and narrows the scope of the
study. This can only be done after the literature has been reviewed. The knowledge gained
through the review of literature guides the researcher in clarifying and narrowing the research
project.
3.4 Clearly Define Terms and Concepts
Terms and concepts are words or phrases used in the purpose statement of the study or the
description of the study. These items need to be specifically defined as they apply to the study.
Terms or concepts often have different definitions depending on who is reading the study. To
minimize confusion about what the terms and phrases mean, the researcher must specifically
define them for the study.
3.5 Define the Population
Research projects can focus on a specific group of people, facilities, park development, employee
evaluations, programs, financial status, marketing efforts, or the integration of technology into the
operations. For example, if a researcher wants to examine a specific group of people in the
community, the study could examine a specific age group, males or females, people living in a
specific geographic area, or a specific ethnic group.
In research terms, the group to involve in the study is always called the population. Defining the
population assists the researcher in several ways. First, it narrows the scope of the study from a
very large population to one that is manageable. Second, the population identifies the group that
the researcher's efforts will be focused on within the study. This helps ensure that the researcher
stays on the right path during the study. Finally, by defining the population, the researcher
identifies the group that the results will apply after the study.
3.6 Develop the Instrumentation Plan
The plan for the study is referred to as the instrumentation plan. The instrumentation plan serves
as the road map for the entire study, specifying who will participate in the study; how, when, and
where data will be collected; and the content of the program.
3.7 Collect Data
Once the instrumentation plan is completed, the actual study begins with the collection of data.
The collection of data is a critical step in providing the information needed to answer the research
question. Every study includes the collection of some type of data—whether it is from the literature
or from subjects—to answer the research question. Data can be collected in the form of words on
a survey, with a questionnaire, through observations, or from the literature.
3.8 Analyze the Data
All the time, effort, and resources dedicated to steps 1 through 7 of the research process
culminate in this final step. The researcher finally has data to analyze so that the research
question can be answered. In the instrumentation plan, the researcher specified how the data will
be analyzed. The researcher now analyzes the data according to the plan. The results of this
analysis are then reviewed and summarized in a manner directly related to the research
questions.
4. DEFINE PROJECT PROPOSAL
Project proposal is an initial document that transforms an idea or policy into details of an effective
project. It includes the outputs, outcomes, costs, stakeholders, major risks and an estimate of the
time & resource required. The project proposal must contain ample information to persuade the
readers that your research idea is important and that you have a good grasp of the topic and
major issues involved, and your methodology is sound.
The basic definition of the project proposal should be remembered while planning that proposal.
In simpler words, a proposal is a bid or an offer to perform particular project for someone. Other
elements are also included in the proposals like technical background, survey results,
recommendations, information about feasibility etc. The main aspect of the project proposals is
to approve the funds or grant from the audience which ensures their permission to conduct the
proposed project.
Project proposals must include information that enables the audience in making decision about
the approval of the considered project. When the project proposals are written, the writer must
consider himself as the audience or receiver of the proposal and try to predict the required
information that will motivate the audience for approval of the project.

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1.

2.1 Basic Research/Fundamental Research

Basic research is mostly conducted to enhance knowledge. It covers fundamental aspects of

2.2 Applied Research

2.3 Problem Oriented Research

2.5 Qualitative Research

2.6 Quantitative Research

3. STAGES OF RESEARCH PROCESS

3.1 Identify the Problem

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