What is Research?

Research Is Not… mere information gathering. mere transformation of facts from one location to another. merely rummaging for information. a catchword used to get attention.

What Research Is “Research is a systematic process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting information—data—in order to increase our understanding of a phenomenon about which we are interested or concerned.” Research is systematic Research involves data collection Research involves analysis Research involves interpretation of data

What Research Is Systematic = done or acting according to a fixed plan or system; methodical When you conduct research, you do so according to a plan.

What Research Is Analyze = examine methodically and in detail the constitution or structure of (something, esp. information), typically for purposes of explanation and interpretation We look at information methodically and in detail…so that we can explain it.

What Research Is Interpret = explain the meaning of (information, words, or actions) We answer the question: What does it all mean? Your interpretation is what makes your project unique—original. Interpretation is at the heart of research.

What Research Is Data (plural) = facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis The stuff of analysis and interpretation is our data.

What is data in your field? What Research Is What is data in your field?

Five principles of research 1. Research originates with a question or problem. What effect does______have on______? What effect does violence in the media have on teen crime? What is the relationship between______and______? What is the relationship between laboratory testing on animals and animal abuse, and what can be to to protect laboratory animals from undue suffering? What impact does______have on______? What impact does global warming have on the migratory patterns of birds? Question Question + Problem

Where do good research questions come from? Five principles of research Where do good research questions come from? Reading the literature At the coffee shop In conversation While writing Any kind of place….

Five principles of research 2. Research requires clear articulation of a goal. What problem do you intend to solve? Presently, the relationship between global warming and penguin migratory patterns is unknown. Previous attempts have failed for several reasons. Using state- of-the-art satellite imaging techniques, this study will shed new light on…. From personal experience…it never starts out clear. What is the problem here?

Five principles of research 3. Research requires a specific plan for proceeding. Generally—the big question requires breaking things down into smaller, more manageable, questions or sub-problems. How effective has the integration of laptops into the classroom been? How have the laptops been used? Have students been trained to use them? Do teachers have the necessary computing skills to support students? Have the laptops caused any negative complications?

Five principles of research 4. Research accepts certain critical assumptions. All research is built on certain critical assumptions—self evident truths that any reasonable person might accept. What are some critical assumptions in your field? Read passage aloud.

Five principles of research 5. Research requires the collection and interpretation of data Interpretation is subjective—that is, human beings are responsible for making meaning from data. This means researchers must be very careful to understand their own biases, assumptions, and blind spots.

Why conduct Research? Solve problems at multiple levels of importance. Make new discoveries. Achieve recognition among peers in your field. A level of immortality. Long term monetary game. Short term monetary game.

Why do you want to conduct research? Why conduct Research? Why do you want to conduct research?

Guidelines for writing research Say what you mean. Keep your primary objective in mind at all times. Provide an account of what you will discuss (introduction & review of literature) Organize your ideas into general (Headings) and specific (sub-headings). Use concrete examples to make abstract ideas more understandable.

Guidelines for writing research 6. Use figures and tables (when appropriate) to clarify 7. Include a conclusion at the end of a major section, chapter, or paper to clarify what you’ve said. Get ready to write multiple drafts Edit, edit, and re-edit.