Research in simple terms refers to search for knowledge. It is a scientific and systematic search for information on a particular topic or issue.
Meaning Of Research:
Research in simple terms refers
to search for knowledge. It is a scientific and systematic search for
information on a particular topic or issue. It is also known as the art of
scientific investigation. Several social scientists have defined research in
different ways.
In the Encyclopedia of Social Sciences, D. Slesinger and M. Stephension
(1930) defined research as “the manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for
the purpose of generalizing to extend, correct or verify knowledge, whether
that knowledge aids in the construction of theory or in the practice of an art”.
According to Redman and Mory
(1923), research is a “systematized effort to gain new knowledge”. It is an
academic activity and therefore the term should be used in a technical sense.
According to Clifford Woody (kothari, 1988), research comprises “defining and
redefining problems, formulating hypotheses or
suggested solutions; collecting, organizing 3
and evaluating data; making deductions and reaching
conclusions; and finally, carefully testing the conclusions to determine
whether they fit the formulated hypotheses”.
Thus, research is an original
addition to the available knowledge, which contributes to its further
advancement. It is an attempt to pursue truth through the methods of study,
observation, comparison and experiment. In sum, research is the search for
knowledge, using objective and systematic methods to find solution to a
problem.
Objectives Of Research:
The objective of research is to
find answers to the questions by applying scientific procedures. In other
words, the main aim of research is to find out the truth which is hidden and
has not yet been discovered. Although every research study has its own specific
objectives, the research objectives may be broadly grouped as follows:
1. To gain familiarity with new insights into a phenomenon (i.e., formulative research studies);2. To accurately portray the characteristics of a particular individual, group, or a situation (i.e., descriptive research studies);3. To analyse the frequency with which something occurs (i.e., diagnostic research studies); and 4. To examine the hypothesis of a causal relationship between two variables (i.e., hypothesis-testing research studies).
Tags : Research Methodology - Introduction
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