Once can define research as a scientific and systematic search for relevant information on a specific

topic. In fact, research is an art of scientific investigation. The Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of
Current English lays down the meaning of research as “a careful investigation or inquiry specially
through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge.”1 Redman and Mory define research as a
“systematized effort to gain new knowledge.”2 Some people consider research as a movement, a
movement from the known to the unknown. It is actually a voyage of discovery.

Research is an academic activity and as such the term should be used in a technical sense. According
to Clifford Woody research comprises defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis or
suggested solutions; collecting, organising and evaluating data; making deductions and reaching
conclusions; and at last carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the
formulating hypothesis. D. Slesinger and M. Stephenson in the Encyclopaedia of Social Sciences
define research as “the manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for the purpose of generalising
to extend, correct or verify knowledge, whether that knowledge aids in construction of theory or in
the practice of an art.

In short, the search for knowledge through objective and systematic method of finding solution to a
problem is research. The systematic approach concerning generalisation and the formulation of a
theory is also research. As such the term ‘research’ refers to the systematic method consisting of
enunciating the problem, formulating a hypothesis, collecting the facts or data, analysing the facts
and reaching certain conclusions either in the form of solutions(s) towards the concerned problem
or in certain generalisations for some theoretical formulation.

Definition of Research

Research is a systematic process of inquiry aimed at discovering new information, verifying

existing knowledge, or developing new theories. It involves structured methodologies,
careful analysis, and critical evaluation to answer specific questions or solve problems.
Research is foundational to scientific advancement, policy-making, and knowledge
generation across various fields.

History and Evolution of Research

The history of research dates back to ancient civilizations, where early scholars sought
explanations for natural phenomena. Over time, research evolved into a more structured
and empirical discipline. Some key milestones in the evolution of research include:

1. Ancient Research (Pre-Scientific Era)

o Early civilizations, such as the Greeks and Chinese, relied on philosophical
reasoning and observations to explain natural occurrences.
o Aristotle (384–322 BCE) emphasized empirical observation, laying the
groundwork for systematic inquiry.
2. Medieval and Renaissance Research (5th–17th Century)
o Islamic scholars like Alhazen (Ibn al-Haytham) developed early forms of the
scientific method through experimentation.
 o The Renaissance (14th–17th century) saw a revival of empirical and
rationalist approaches, leading to advancements in medicine, astronomy, and
physics.
3. Scientific Revolution (17th–19th Century)
o The establishment of the scientific method by figures like Francis Bacon and
René Descartes emphasized observation, experimentation, and hypothesis
testing.
o The 19th century saw the rise of specialized scientific disciplines, such as
biology (Darwin’s theory of evolution) and chemistry (Mendeleev’s periodic
table).
4. Modern and Contemporary Research (20th Century–Present)
o The 20th century saw rapid advancements in research methodologies,
statistical analysis, and technology-driven inquiry.
o The digital age has introduced big data analytics, artificial intelligence, and
interdisciplinary research collaborations.

TYPES OF RESEARCH

The basic types of research are as follows

1. Descriptive vs. Analytical Research

o Descriptive Research: Focuses on describing current conditions, behaviors, or

trends without manipulating variables. It includes surveys and observations
to gather data on topics like shopping frequency or consumer preferences.
Researchers have no control over variables; they simply report what is
happening or has happened. A common type of descriptive research is ex
post facto research, where researchers analyze past events to find patterns
or causes without controlling influencing factors. Examples: Census studies,
market research.

o Analytical Research: Involves evaluating and interpreting existing data to draw

conclusions. Researchers use available information to examine trends, relationships,
or causes in-depth, making a critical assessment of the subject.

2. Applied vs. Fundamental Research

o Applied Research: Focuses on solving specific, real-world problems, often in

industries, businesses, or society. Examples include market research, policy
evaluations, and medical advancements aimed at practical applications.
o Fundamental Research: Also known as pure or basic research, this type aims
to expand general knowledge and develop theories without immediate
practical use. Examples include studies on human behavior, theoretical
physics, or mathematical research. Fundamental research contributes to the
broader scientific understanding, while applied research seeks direct
solutions to current issues.

3. Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research

 o Quantitative Research: Focuses on numerical data, statistical analysis, and
objective measurement. It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed
in numerical terms. Methods include surveys, experiments, and
mathematical modeling.

o Methods: Surveys, experiments, mathematical modeling.

o Qualitative Research: Explores subjective experiences, meanings, and

patterns. It is used to understand human behavior, motivations, and
opinions. Methods include interviews, case studies, and projective
techniques like word association and sentence completion tests.
o Methods: Interviews, case studies, ethnographic studies

4. Conceptual vs. Empirical Research

o Conceptual Research: Focuses on abstract ideas and theories. It is often used

by philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or reinterpret existing
ones.
o Empirical Research: Relies on observation and experience rather than theory.
It is based on real-world data collection through experiments and firsthand
observations. Researchers form a hypothesis, collect data to support or
refute it, and manipulate variables to analyze outcomes. This type of research
is essential for testing relationships between variables and providing strong
evidence for hypotheses.

5. Other Types of Research

 Research can be categorized based on time, environment, and purpose. For example,
research can be:
o One-time research vs. Longitudinal research: One-time research focuses on
a single time period, while longitudinal research spans multiple time periods.
o Field-setting research, laboratory research, or simulation research:
Depending on the research environment.
o Clinical or diagnostic research: Uses case studies and in-depth methods to
understand causal relationships.
o Exploratory vs. Formalized research: Exploratory research develops
hypotheses, whereas formalized research tests them with a structured
approach.
o Historical research: Uses historical sources like documents and records to
study past events.
o Conclusion-oriented vs. Decision-oriented research: Conclusion-oriented
research allows for flexible exploration, while decision-oriented research
supports decision-makers with structured analysis.
o Operations research: A decision-oriented research type that provides a
quantitative basis for managing and optimizing operations.
Scientific inquiry can be also broadly categorized into various types, each with distinct
methodologies and purposes:

1. Basic Research
a. Conducted to expand fundamental knowledge without immediate practical
application.
b. Examples: Studying the genetic basis of diseases, exploring quantum
mechanics.
2. Applied Research
a. Aimed at solving specific problems and improving processes.
b. Examples: Developing new medical treatments, engineering more efficient
transportation systems.
3. Experimental Research
a. Involves controlled experiments to test hypotheses.
b. Common in natural sciences and psychology.
4. Longitudinal vs. Cross-Sectional Research
a. Longitudinal: Studies subjects over an extended period to observe changes.
b. Cross-Sectional: Examines data from a population at a single point in time.
5. Exploratory Research

a. Conducted when little is known about a topic.

b. Aims to identify patterns, trends, and hypotheses for future studies.

Research Process

The following order concerning various steps provides a useful procedural guideline

regarding the research process:

(1) formulating the research problem;

(2) extensive literature survey;

(3) developing the hypothesis;

(4) preparing the research design;

(5) determining sample design;

(6) collecting the data;

(7) execution of the project;

(8) analysis of data;

(9) hypothesis testing;

(10) generalisations and interpretation, and

(11) preparation of the report or presentation of the results, i.e., formal write-up of conclusions
reached.

Steps in Research Process with Examples

Scientific research includes a systematized procedure that emphases on being objective and
gathering a multitude of information for analysis so that the researcher can come to a conclusion.
This procedure is used in all research and evaluation projects, irrespective of the research technique.
The procedure focuses on testing ideas in a park and regeneration setting through a systematic
procedure. In this procedure, the study is recognized in such a mode that another individual can
conduct the similar study again. This is referred to as duplicating the study. Any research done
without documenting the study so that others can review the procedure and consequences is not an
investigation using the scientific research procedure. The scientific research procedure is a multiple-
step procedure where the steps are interlinked with the other steps in the procedure. If deviations
are made in one step of the procedure, the researcher or investigator must review all the other
steps to guarantee that the changes are reflected throughout the procedure. Parks and recreation
experts are often involved in conducting research or assessment projects within the activity. These
experts need to recognize the eight steps of the research procedure as they apply to conducting a
study.

Let’s suppose the research is conducted on childhood obesity; each step will explain about childhood
obesity.

Step 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 information that is wanted by
the agency, or the want to identify a reformation trend nationwide. In the example, the problem
that the action has identified is childhood obesity, which is a local problem and concern within the
community. This serves as the focus of the study.

Step 2: Review the Literature

Now that the problem has been identified or recognized, the investigator or researcher must study
more about the topic under investigation. To do this, the investigator must review the literature
linked to the research problem. This step provides foundational information or knowledge about the
problem zone. The review of literature also teaches the investigator about what studies have been
conducted earlier, how these studies were conducted, and the conclusions in the problem zone. In
the obesity study, the review of literature enables the systems analyst or programmer to determine
horrifying statistics linked to the long-term effects of childhood obesity in terms of health matters,
death rates, and projected medical costs. In addition, the systems analyst finds numerous articles
and information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that label the benefits of
walking 10 thousand steps a day. The information revealed during this step helps the systems
analyst or programmer fully understand the magnitude of the problem, recognize the future
consequences of obesity, and identify a strategy to combat obesity (i.e., walking).

Step 3: Clarify the Problem

Several times the primary problem identified in the first step of the process is too large in scope. In
step 3rd of the process, the investigator clarifies the problem and narrows the scope of the study.
This can only be done after the literature has been reviewed. The information gained through the
review of literature guides the investigator in clarifying and narrowing the research project. In the
example, the systems analyst has identified childhood obesity as the problem and the purpose of the
study. This topic is very comprehensive and could be studied based on genetics, family environment,
diet, exercise, self-confidence or health issues. All of these areas cannot be examined in a single
study; so, the problem and purpose of the study must be more clearly defined. The systems analyst
has decided that the purpose of the study is to determine if walking 10 thousand steps a day for 3
days a week will recover the individual’s health. This purpose is more narrowly focused and
researchable than the original problem.

Step 4: Clearly Define Terms and Concepts

Terms & concepts are words used in the purpose statement of the study or else the description of
the study. These things need to be precisely defined as they apply to the study. Terms or concepts
often have different definitions dependent on who is understanding the study. To minimalize
confusion about what the terms and phrases mean, the investigator must precisely define them for
the study. In the obesity study, the concept of individual’s health can be well-defined in hundreds of
ways, for example physical, emotional, or spiritual health. In this study, the individuals health is
defined as physical health. The idea of physical health may also be defined and measured in several
ways. In this case, the systems analyst decides to more narrowly define individual health to refer to
the zones of weight, percentage of body fat, and cholesterol. By defining the terms or concepts
more narrowly, the scope of the study is more controllable for the systems analyst, making it easier
to collect the essential data for the study. This also makes the concepts more understandable to the
reader.

Step 5: Define the Population

Research projects focuses on a definite group of people, facilities, employee assessments, programs,
financial status, marketing efforts, or the integration of technology into the operations. e.g. if an
investigator wants to inspect a specific group of people in the community, the study could inspect a
specific age group, males or females, people living in a definite geographic area, or a specific ethnic
group. Literally thousands of choices are available to the investigator to specifically recognize the
group to study. The research problem and the purpose of the study assist the investigator in
identifying the group to involve in the study. In research terms, the group to involve in the study is
always called the population. Defining the population assists the investigator in numerous ways.
Firstly, it narrows the scope of the study from a very large population to one that is controllable.
Secondly, the population identifies the group that the investigators efforts will be focused on within
the study. This helps ensure that the investigator stays on the correct path during the study. Lastly,
by defining the population, the researcher identifies the group that the results will apply to at the
conclusion of the study. In our example, the systems analyst has identified the population of the
study as children ages 10 to 13 years. This narrower population makes the study more manageable
and controllable in terms of time and resources.
Step 6: Develop the Instrumentation Plan

The plan for the study is referred to as the instrumentation plan. The instrumentation plan helps as
the road map for the whole study, requiring who will participate in the study; how, when, and where
data will be collected; and the content of the program. In the obesity study, the investigator has
decided to have the children take part in a walking program for 6 months. The group of contributors
is called the sample, which is a smaller group selected from the population specified for the study.
The study cannot probably include every 10- to 13-year-old child in the community, so a smaller
group is used to represent the population. The investigator develops the plan for the walking
program, demonstrating what data will be collected, when and how the data be collected, who
collect the data, and how the data be analysed. The instrumentation plan specifies all the steps that
must be finalized for the study. This confirms that the systems analyst has carefully thought through
all these decisions and that she provides a step-by-step plan to be tracked in the study.

Step 7: Collect Data

Once the instrumentation plan is finished, the authentic study begins with the collection of data. The
collection of data is a critical step in providing the knowledge or information needed to answer the
research question. Each 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 composed in the form of
words on a survey, with a questionnaire, by observations, or from literature. In the obesity study,
the systems analyst will be collecting data on the definite variables: weight, percentage of body fat,
cholesterol levels, and the number of days the person walked a total of 10 thousand steps during the
class.

The investigator collects these data at the starting session and at the closing session of the program.
These two sets of data are essential to determine the effect of the walking program on weight, body
fat, and cholesterol level. Once the data are composed on the variables, the investigator is ready to
move to the last step of the process that is data analysis.

Step 8: Analyse the Data

Constantly, effort and resources dedicated to steps one through seven of the research process
conclude in this last step. The investigator lastly has data to analyse so that the research question
can be answered. In the instrumentation plan, the investigator stated how the data will be analysed.
The investigator now analyses the data according to the plan. The consequences of this analysis are
then revised and summarized in a way directly linked to the research questions. In the obesity study,
the investigator relates the measurements of weight, percentage of body fat, and cholesterol that
were taken at the 1st meeting of the topics to the measurements of the same variables at the final
program session. These two sets of data will be analysed to determine if there was a difference
between the 1st measurement and the 2nd measurement for each individual in the program. Then,
the data will be analysed to determine if the variances are statistically significant. If the variances are
statistically significant, the study authenticates the theory that was the focus of the study. The
consequences of the study also provide valuable information about one strategy to combat
childhood obesity in the community.
As you have possibly concluded, conducting studies using the 8 steps of the scientific research
procedure requires you to dedicate time and effort to the planning procedure. You cannot conduct a
study using the scientific research process when time is limited.

Investigators who do this conduct studies that outcome in either false conclusions or conclusions
that are not of any value to the association.