Saturday, 21 November 2015

Research methodology

Research: The Definition
In the broadest sense of the word, the definition of research includes any gathering of data, information and facts for the advancement of knowledge.
Reading a factual book of any sort is a kind of research. Surfing the internet or watching the news is also a type of research.
Science does not use this word in the same way, preferring to restrict it to certain narrowly defined areas. The word ‘review’ is more often used to describe the learning process which is one of the underlying tenets of the rigid structures defining scientific research.

The Scientific Definition
The strict definition of scientific research is performing a methodical study in order to prove a hypothesis or answer a specific question. Finding a definitive answer is the central goal of any experimental process.
Research must be systematic and follow a series of steps and a rigid standard protocol. These rules are broadly similar but may vary slightly between the different fields of science.
Scientific research must be organized and undergo planning, including performing literature reviews of past research and evaluating what questions need to be answered.
Any type of ‘real’ research, whether scientific, economic or historical, requires some kind of interpretation and an opinion from the researcher. This opinion is the underlying principle, or question, that establishes the nature and type of experiment.
The scientific definition of research generally states that a variable must be manipulated, although case studies and purely observational science do not always comply with this norm.






OTHER DEFINITIONS

Martyn Shuttleworth 2008
Defines research as the gathering of data information and facts for the advancement of knowledge

Creswell 2008
Define research as a process or steps used to collect and analyze information to increase our understanding of a topic or issue

John W. Best
Defines research as a systematic and objective analysis and recording of controlled observation that may lead to the development of generalization, principles, theories and concepts resulting in prediction for seeing and ultimate control of events.

Clarke
According to Clarke, research is a careful and objective investigation conducted to obtain valid facts, draw conclusion and establish principle regarding an identifiable problem in some field of knowledge.

Clifford Woody
Defines research as a careful enquiry or examination in seeking facts or principles, a diligent investigation to accepting something

Mouley
Defines research as a process of arriving at dependable solutions to the problems through a planned and systematic collection analysis and interpretation of data.

Poyton 1979
Defines research as the process of looking for a specific answer,, a specific question in an organized objective and reliable way




J. Scott Armstrong and Tad Spemy 1994
Defines research as a systematic way of gathering data, harnessing of curiosity that provides scientific information and theories for the explanation of the nature and properties of the world

Wernher Von Braun
Research is what I am doing when I don’t know what I am doing

Best and Khan 1998
Define research as the systematic, objective, analysis and recording of controlled observation that may lead to the development of generalizations, principles, theories, resulting in predictions and ultimate control of many events that may be consequences or causes of specific activities.

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