Meaning of Research:
Word 'Research' comprises two words Re+Search.
It means to search again. So research means a systematic investigation or activity to gain new knowledge of the already existing facts.
Research is an intellectual activity.
It is responsible for bringing to light new knowledge.
It is also responsible for correcting the present mistakes, removing existing misconceptions and adding new learning to the existing fund of knowledge.
Researches are considered as a combination of those activities which are removed from day to day lifeand are pursued by those persons who are gifted in intellect and sincere in pursuit of knowledge. But it is not correct to say that the research is restricted to such type of persons, however, it is correct to say that major contribution of research comes from highly gifted and committed workers.
Thus the research is not at all mysterious and is carried on by hundreds of thousands of average individuals.
Research is also considered as the application of scientific method in solving the problems.
It is a systematic, formal and intensive process of carrying on the scientific method of analysis.
There are many ways of obtaining knowledge.
They are intuition, revelation, and authority, logical manipulation of basic assumptions, informed guesses, observation, and reasoning by analogy.
One of the branches of research known as empirical research is highly goal-oriented technique.
Purpose of Research:
The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the application of scientific procedure. The main aim of research is to find out the truth which is hidden and which has not been discovered as yet. Though each research study has its own specific purpose, some general objectives of research below:
(i) To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it. (Studies with this object in view are termed as exploratory or formative research studies).
(ii) To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group. (Studies with this object in view are known as descriptive research studies).
(iii) To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else. (Studies with this object in view are known as diagnostic research studies).
(iv) To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables. (Such studies are known as hypothesis-testing research studies).
Characteristics of Research:
Following are the characteristics of research;
(i) Research is directed toward the solution of a problem.
(ii) Research requires expertise.
(iii) Research emphasizes the development of generalizations, principles, or theories that will be helpful in predicting future occurrences.
(iv) Research is based upon observable experience or empirical evidences.
(v) Research demands accurate observation and description.
(vi) Research involves gathering new data from primary or first-hand sources or using existing data for a new purpose.
(vii) Research is characterized by carefully designed procedures that apply rigorous analysis.
(viii) Research involves the quest for answers to un-solved problems.
(ix) Research strives to be objective and logical, applying every possible test to validate the procedures employed the data collected and the conclusions reached.
(x) Research is characterized by patient and unhurried activity.
(xi) Research is carefully recorded and collected.
(xii) Research sometimes requires courage.
Types of Research:
There are varieties of ways through which we may classify it into different categories.
(A) On the basis of nature of information:
On the basis of nature of information we can classify the research into two types;
(i) Qualitative Research: When information is in the form of qualitative data.
(ii) Quantitative Research: When information is in the form of quantitative data.
(B) On the basis of utility of content or nature of subject matter of research:
On the basis of these criteria we can categorize the research into two categories.
(i) Basic/ Fundamental /pure or Theoretical Research: Its utility is universal.
(ii) Experimental or Applied Research: Its utility is limited.
(C) On the basis of approach of research: We may classify research into two different categories.
(i) Longitudinal Research: Examples of this category are historical, Case study and Genetic research.
(ii) Cross-Sectional Research: Examples of this category are Experimental and Survey Research.
(D) On the basis of method of research:
On the basis of the research method we may classify a research into five different categories.
(i) Philosophical Research: It is purely qualitative in nature and we are focusing on the vision of others on the content of research.
(ii) Historical Research: It is both qualitative as well as quantitative in nature and deals with past events.
(iii) Survey Research: It deals with present events and is quantitative in nature. It may further be subdivided into; discretional, correlational and exploratory type of research.
(iv) Experimental Research: This is purely quantitative in nature and deals with future events.
(v) Case-Study Research: It deals with unusual events. It may be qualitative as well as quantitative in nature depending upon the content.