Research

Research is creative and organized work that helps us learn more about the world. It means collecting information, putting it together, and looking at evidence to understand something better. Researchers work carefully to avoid mistakes and unfair influences, called biases, so their results are correct.

There are many kinds of research. Basic research tries to learn more about the world and find new ways to study it. Other types include scientific, humanities, artistic, economic, social, business, marketing, life, and technological research. Each type studies the world in a different way.

A researcher is a person who does research. They might use old work or do studies again to see if the results are right. Research helps us discover new things and solve many different problems.

Etymology

The word research comes from the Middle French word "recherche," which means "to go about seeking." This French word came from an older Old French term called "recerchier." That term was made by joining the words "re-" and "cerchier" (or "sercher"), which means 'search.' People first started using the word "research" in the year 1577.

Definitions

Research is a careful search for knowledge. It means looking for information to understand something better. Researchers check what we already know and do new experiments to learn facts, update old ideas, or find new ways to use discoveries.

Forms of research

Original research, also called primary research, is research that creates new knowledge. It can involve experiments, watching things happen, or looking at information in new ways. Original research is important for school projects and learning new things.

Scientific research is a careful way of learning about the world. It can include watching something, asking a question, collecting information, and looking at the results. This type of research helps us understand nature and can lead to new discoveries.

Research in the humanities looks at topics like history, culture, and society. It can include studying old documents and understanding meanings. Artistic research uses creative work to explore ideas. This can include art, music, dance, and more, to help us understand things better.

Steps in conducting research

Research is usually done in steps, like following a plan. First, you pick a problem you want to study. Then, you look at what others have already found out, called a literature review. Next, you decide what specific questions you want to answer and create a plan, or conceptual framework, for your study. You choose how to collect information, gather the data, check it, and then analyze it to find answers. Finally, you share what you discovered and might suggest ideas for further research.

These steps aren’t set in stone; they often change as you go. Some people even start by looking at their results first and then figure out what questions to ask based on what they found. This flexible approach helps make sure the research is thorough and reliable.

Research methods

The goal of research is to learn new things or understand a topic better. Research can take three main forms: exploratory research, which helps define a problem or question; constructive research, which tests ideas and suggests solutions; and empirical research, which checks solutions using empirical evidence.

There are two main types of empirical research: qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative research looks at meanings and characteristics through methods like interviews, while quantitative research uses numbers to find patterns or relationships. Both types can use data collected for the study or existing data from sources like censuses. Mixing both qualitative and quantitative methods is also common and can give deeper insights.

Research ethics

Research ethics are rules for scientists and researchers. These rules help make sure everyone is treated fairly and that work is done honestly and carefully.

Good research ethics mean not cheating or making mistakes on purpose. Researchers must respect the people, animals, and environments they study, always putting safety and fairness first.

Problems in research

Metascience, or research on research, helps improve studies by finding mistakes and biases. One big finding is that many results cannot be repeated in other studies. This is called the replication crisis.

Different cultures and languages can face challenges in research. For example, Western ways of studying might not work well for other societies. Some researchers from places like Māori have created their own ways to study mental health that fit their culture better. Also, because most research is published in English, scholars from other language backgrounds often have to translate their work. This can cause problems. Not all countries get the same attention in research studies, with some areas like Oceania and the Caribbean being studied less often.

Peer review is a way for experts to check new research before it's published. This helps make sure the work is good quality. However, this system can sometimes favor research from certain countries, making it harder for others to get recognized. The idea of open research suggests that knowledge should be freely shared, but this doesn't always match the views of all cultures. Some cultures protect certain information based on relationships.

Professionalisation

See also: Academic ranks, Academic staff, and Scientists

In some countries, such as Russia, there are special job titles for people who do research. These titles show how much experience and skill a researcher has. For example, in Russia, researchers can have titles like Junior Researcher, Researcher, Senior Researcher, Leading Researcher, and Chief Researcher. These titles help organize work in universities and research centers.

Publishing

See also: Academic journal publishing reform

Academic publishing is how people share their research with others. Experts check the work in a process called peer review before it is shared. This can happen in journals, books, or theses. Many subjects have their own journals, but some cover many topics.

With the internet, reading research online is now common. A big change is open access, where people can read articles for free when they are published or later when authors share their work online.

Research statistics and funding

Main articles: Funding of science and List of sovereign states by research and development spending

Most money for research comes from three big places: companies, private groups that give money, and government agencies like the National Institutes of Health in the US and the Medical Research Council in the UK. These funds help scientists at universities and sometimes companies do their work.

Many scientists spend time asking for money to support their projects.

The Social Psychology Network lists many places where scientists can find money for their work.