The General purpose and Charecteristics of Research-By Hamalambo Kanini, Buying officer LWSC

Introduction

Research is seen as the most important part of scientific inquiry and methodologies and its empirical approach to the study of various social and natural phenomenon gives it an unmatched position in today’s fast pace world and information based society. Key in every research process is the formation, View, review and testing of hypothesis as well as measuring the relationships between the variables in the hypothesis. This essay therefore aims at discussing the general purpose and characteristics of research and providing a justification of literature review in research. In an effort to achieve this task, the essay begins with defining, as required, the terms research, hypothesis and variable. Furthermore, the essay shall outline and discuss some of the general characteristics of research and justify the role of literature review in research and a conclusion will then follow to sum up the essay’s main arguments.

Definitions

Kay (2000) notes that the term research is a compound word, that is Re-Search where Re means again and search means investigate hence search/investigate again. In this perspective therefore, the underlying assumption is that there is something known about everything however what is known may not be as true as it may appear hence the need to search again. He defines research as a systematic collection, analysis (or collation) and interpretation of data/information in order to answer a question or solve a problem. According to Cozby (2009) it is a scientific method of inquiry where there is systematic process of data collection, observation and description so as to explain, understand and predict a phenomenon. Patton, (2002), argues that though often times research is mistaken for and used interchangeably with investigation, he argues that research, especially fundamental or basic research, differs from evaluation in that its primary purpose is to generate or test theory and contribute to knowledge for the sake of knowledge. Research is based on the assumption that there is a cause-effect relationship between two or more concepts called variables whose inter-relationship is testable provable and predictable hence the goal of research being to be able understand, explain and predict it (Kay 2000). Research therefore is a systematic process implying that research is not an abrupt process but one which is logical and rational with proper phases and processes hence the research process. Research is also an investigation of cause-effect relationships between given sets of variables and involves processes of testing and proving the inter-relations and their strengths and correlations. Further research aims at three critical goals of understanding (identification of variables and their cause-effect relationships), explaining (providing logical and coherent reasons for the existence of the relationship), and predict (provide theoretical tunes which can be used to predict future outcomes of the given relationships) (Kay 2000).

Research is as noted all about cause variable interactions and interrelations. But what then is a variable? A variable is therefore seen as a factor affecting or affected by or in a relationships hence takes up different values. Kay (2000) argues that a variable is also a concept, which takes on different values. It is therefore synonymous to a concept or factor which varies/changes/differs in a given relationship. Variables are therefore seen as the units of measurements and investigation in scientific enquiry as theories, constructs and hypothesis have interacting variables as their building blocks hence can be rightly put as building blocks of knowledge and cause-effect relationships.

A hypothesis on the other hand as seen by Kay (2000) is A tentative explanation for an observation, phenomenon, or scientific problem that can be tested by further investigation. The term hypothesis is a derivative from the Greek word “hupothesis”, meaning to proposal, supposition, and from “hupotithenai” where “hupothe”, Means to suppose and “tithenai”, means to place hence a supposition, a tentative/standby explanation of a relationship or phenomenon The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (2009). In research therefore it explains the relationship between variables tentatively in a clear and testable manner requiring proving. Often times hypothesis are taken for facts and facts for hypothesis, this may often be confusing however it must be noted that facts and hypothesis are not synonymous but relate such that a hypothesis  is a proposition that attempts to explain a set of facts in a unified way and generally forms the basis of experiments designed to establish its plausibility hence facts are in the existence of a phenomenon while a hypothesis in testable tentative explanation for the occurrence of the phenomenon.

It must be noted here that not all proposed explanations technically qualify to be called a hypothesis as there are specific feature which qualify a supposition to be termed a hypothesis. For a tentative or proposed explanation to be called a hypothesis it must firstly be clearly formulated implying that the given variables concepts in the hypotheses should be clearly identifiable and defined operationally. Secondly the hypotheses must be specific in that the direction or the relationships between the given variables/concepts/factors is specified such that the affected and affecting variables and how they affect each other is clearly distinct. Thirdly it must be value free hence objectively giving that tentative explanation. Fourthly it must be testable or subjectable to empirical research.

General purposes of research

Generally, as seen from the definition, research is aimed at objective analysis of a phenomenon and is done in a quest to seek knowledge as an end in itself but also as a means to an end. The specific aims and purposes of research are therefore as noted earlier to describe, explain, prediction and understand social or natural phenomenon. Research further aims at adding to existing knowledge, challenging the status quo, proving or disproving commonly believed paradigmatic assumptions and information.

In terms of describing a research as noted by Kay (2000) has a general purpose of accurately and precisely measuring and reporting of events and social phenomena, including its characteristics and events. Hence the general purpose is to present facts and objectively as well as accurately describe them. Research therefore gives information and facts hence the single most important goal of research, the pursuit of knowledge.

Research also aims at, as already noted, explaining events and phenomenon. This thus involves a process of investigation of causes underlying the existence of particular phenomenon (Kay 2000). This implies that research does not only aim at giving information accurately but also at given an explanation of the state of information that is, why the given phenomenon exists as it does. The purpose is to provide inductive as well as deductive explanations.

Explanation as a purpose of research is only as good as its ability to ensure accurate predictions hence prediction as a general purpose and aim of research. Prediction here implies forecasting and projections. Prediction is therefore the hallmark of research as theories are seen as proven predictions while hypothesis as unproven predictions and constructs as relational predictions.

Understanding (verstehen – Empathetic understanding) is amid the great aims of research it ensures that the information is presented such that it can be understood, is non-subjective and is value free.

Adding to existing knowledge is one other general purpose of research as we have argued already that knowledge is an end in the research process. As explained above, research involves a systematic process seeking, proving and even disproving information.

Challenging the status quo, hence the argued meaning of research as a re-investigation or searching again. There are many sources of knowledge including mystical, intuitive, common sense and authoritarian and the general purpose of the scientific inquiry through research is to provide value free knowledge and challenge the paradigmatic assumptions of these other forms of knowledge and their misconceptions.

General Characteristics of Research

As note by Kay as well as by Cozby, (2009) research has several charecteristics which involve:

1.      Systematic approaches

In conducting of research, there must be a follow up of systematic rules and procedures which ensure objectivity in the process of research hence the research cycle and ethics. Researchers operate on the ethics, rules or road map of making inferences, observations and conclusions.

2.      Logical approaches

 Research is primarily logical and follows both deductive and inductive reasoning. Deductive reasoning/logic as noted by The Webster legal dictionary involves a process of reasoning from the general to the specific while Inductive logic/reasoning involves general. That is, you start with specific instances to general.

3.      Scientific method is empirical.

It means that data or knowledge is derived from reality. That is, from observations of what actually exists.

4.      Replicable

It means that another researcher conducting research should come up with more or less the same research results of the other researchers using a research in similar circumstances.

5.      Transmittable

Having taken research, the findings of research can be in a way that findings go beyond the research. The research findings should be transmitted from the sample to the whole population (generalized to the whole population – should be representative of the larger population).

6.      Reductive

When you think about research you must realize, that you are dealing with complex situation(s). That is reality which is complex/infinite. You have to focus on realities – things that concern us so that you make your research so physical. Focus on something that you can manage.

7.      Objective

Means removal of personal values and biases, away from unduly influences by prejudices and values. It calls for suspension of beliefs. When conducting a research, make your own reflection on the truth

The Role of Literature Review in Research

Boote & Beile (2005) define a literature review as an evaluative report of studies found in the literature related to a selected area. They further reveal that the literature review goes beyond the search for information and includes the identification and articulation of relationships between the literature and your field of research. Given the above stated definitions of research, a literature helps reinvestigate available information, review the findings, the theories and review of empirical research. A literature review therefore helps:

1.      Prevent duplication of what has already been done as well as plagiarism

The literature review helps the researcher know what has been done, how it has been done and why such that one can be able to find discrepancies or gaps which can filled by the research conducted. Furthermore, one can credit to themselves findings which have already been accredited to others hence find themselves plagiarising other people’s works which is criminal and ignorance is no excuse.

2.      It helps in finding out what others have done and reported on the topic

This is critical because methods which failed approaches which didn’t work and areas not feasible can be noted and avoided beforehand. The reports help build up better approaches to one’s research.

3.      Literature review justifies your research

It provides you with convincing arguments on why the research should be undertaken this is because assumptions and hypothesis created by other research can be reviewed as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the existing research works done which will provide justifications for further research needed to be done.

4.      generate new original ideas

From the literature review one is able to create new ideas, approaches and methodologies in the conduct of the research.

Conclusion

Research therefore is critical, dynamic and systematic process of scientific investigation involving study of variables in their hypothetic relationships to provide new information, bridge gaps and ensure that a phenomenon is understood, explained, described and predicted. It involves collection of both primary and secondary data where primary data is collected through surveys and secondary data through literature review which has a critical part to ensure originality, justifying the research, avoidance of plagiarism and duplication.

 Bibliography

Boote, D.N. & Beile, P. (2005). Scholars before researchers: On the centrality of the dissertation literature review in research preparation. Educational Researcher 34/6, 3-15.

Cozby, P.C., (2009). Methods in behavioural research, 10th Ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill.

The American Heritage, Dictionary of the English Language (2009), Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Kay M, D., (2000) Research Methods in the Social Sciences: Social Research Methods, Data Exchange Centre. D.E.C.