Research

Research is creative and systematic work done to learn more about the world. It involves gathering information, organizing it, and analyzing evidence to better understand a topic. Researchers work hard to avoid mistakes and unfair influences, called biases, to make sure their findings are accurate.

There are different kinds of research. Basic research aims to document, discover, interpret, and develop methods that help us understand more about the world. Other types of research include scientific, humanities, artistic, economic, social, business, marketing, practitioner, life, and technological research. Each kind looks at the world in its own special way.

A researcher is a person who conducts research. They may build on past work or repeat studies to check if results are correct. Research helps us learn new things and solve problems in many fields.

Etymology

The word research comes from the Middle French word "recherche," which means "to go about seeking." This French word itself came from an even 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 thoughtful search for knowledge. It involves steps to gather and examine information, helping us understand topics better. Researchers look at what we already know and also try new experiments to learn facts, update old ideas, or use new discoveries in useful ways.

Forms of research

Original research, also called primary research, is research that creates new knowledge instead of just summarizing what is already known. It can involve experiments, observations, or new ways of looking at existing information. Original research is important for academic journals and is often required for students completing their final projects.

Scientific research is a careful way of collecting and understanding information about the world. It follows a process that may include observing a topic, forming a question to test, collecting data, and analyzing the results. This type of research helps explain how nature works and can lead to new discoveries and inventions.

Research in the humanities looks at topics like history, culture, and society using methods such as studying texts and understanding meanings. Historians, for example, use old documents and other evidence to learn about the past. Artistic research uses creative work to explore ideas and gain knowledge, often accepting personal viewpoints as part of the process. This kind of research can include art, music, dance, and more, aiming to deepen understanding through creative expression.

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 create new knowledge or better understand a topic. Research can take three main forms: exploratory research, which helps define a problem or question; constructive research, which tests theories 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 and statistics to find patterns or relationships. Both types can use data collected specifically for the study or existing data from sources like censuses. Mixing both qualitative and quantitative methods is also common and can provide deeper insights.

Research ethics

Research ethics are rules that guide how scientists and researchers should behave when they are studying new ideas. These rules help make sure that everyone is treated fairly and that the work is done in a honest and careful way.

Good research ethics mean being careful not to cheat or make mistakes on purpose. Researchers must also make sure they respect the people, animals, and environments they study, always putting safety and fairness first.

Problems in research

Metascience, or research on research, helps improve the quality of studies by spotting mistakes and biases. One big finding is that many results can't be repeated in other studies, which 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, which 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, helping to 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, especially those that protect certain information based on relationships.

Professionalisation

See also: Academic ranks, Academic staff, and Scientists

In some countries, including Russia, there are special job titles for people who do research. These titles show the level of 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 scholars share their research with the world. Through peer review, experts check the work before it is shared. This can happen in journals, books, or theses. Many fields have their own journals, but some cover many areas of study.

With the rise of the internet, reading research online has become common. A big change is open access, where people can read articles for free right 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 scientific 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 even companies do their important work. Many scientists spend a lot of time asking for money to support their research projects.

There are tables that show how many scientists there are for every million people in different countries, and how much money countries spend on research compared to how much money they make overall. The Social Psychology Network lists many places where scientists can find money for their work.