1. Define researc. > In the broadest sense of the word, the definition of research includes any gathering of data, information and facts for the advancement of knowledge. -Martyn Shuttleworth > Research is a process of steps used to collect and analye information to increase our understanding of a topic or issue. -!reswell > the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. -"#ford $ictionary 2. Different Types of Research Quantitative and Qualitative Quantitative research is the collecting of ob%ective numerical data. &eatures are classified and counted, and statistical models are constructed to analye and e#plain the information that has been gathered. Some of the tools used for this type of research include 'uestionnaires that are given to test sub%ects, e'uipment that is used to measure something and databases of e#isting information. (he goal of 'uantitative research is to compile statistical evidence, so the 'uestionnaires used in this method typically include yes-or-no 'uestions or multiple-choice 'uestions rather than open-ended 'uestions such as essay 'uestions. )nlike 'uantitative research, 'ualitative research is sub%ective and seeks to describe or interpret whatever is being researched. Instead of numbers, this type of research provides information in the form of words or visual representations. It relies on the researcher to observe, record and what happens, such as participants* answers to open- ended 'uestions, sub%ects* behavior or the results of e#periments. Case studies are common e#amples of 'ualitative research. Observational and Experimental "bservational research is the collection of information without interference or input from the researcher. It is the e#amination of things as they naturally or inherently are. (he researcher simply observes, measures or records what occurs. (hat information is then analyed and used to draw conclusions. (his is in contrast with e#perimental research, in which the researcher sets the parameters or conditions and is able to change them to determine their effects. +#perimental research often occurs in laboratories but can occur anywhere. It merely re'uires the researcher to be able to control one or more conditions of the e#periment. (his method helps researchers understand how certain variables , the different aspects or conditions that can change , can affect whatever it is they are studying. Basic !pplied and Developmental -hen the purpose of research is simply to reveal or discover what is true, it can be called basic research. (his type of research involves e#ploring that which is not known or understood. !pplied research is taking what is already known and looking for ways to use it, such as to solve problems. $evelopmental research is similar to applied research but focuses on using what is already known to improve products or e#isting technology or to create something new. ". Characteristics of #ood Research Vigorous: seeks to look at all avenues surrounding the problem in order to conduct a thorough investigation
Systematic: identifies & labels variables, investigates relationships between variables, data is collected, hypotheses are evaluated
Reductive: Research takes individual events & uses them to establish general relationships
ogical: research design allows the investigator to draw reasonable conclusions Replicable: Research process is recorded enabling others to test the findings
!b"ective: #s not effected by the researchers own views, beliefs or what they might want to find from the study $. #oals % &urposes of Research