What is Research

Research is Creation of New Knowledge Research can be categorised into three distinct types: basic,strategic and applied. Basic, or blue-sky research, is the pursuit of new knowledge without anyassumptions about what it might lead to – essentially knowledge for its own sake. Strategic research is the pursuit of new knowledge which might, in principle, have a practical application but without a precise view of the timescale or nature of the application. Applied research is knowledge which is developed with a specific objective in mind, particularly the conversion of existing knowledge into products, processes and technologies. strategic research create pools of expertise and knowledge which benefit in many ways. Applied research may be the stage in which collaboration with industry is most likely, but basic and here. The timescales over which research takes place vary greatly. Sometimes a specific piece of research might only last a few months or even less, while at other times research may take decades to develop knowledge in a specific area. There may be an early breakthrough in a piece of research but a further, lengthy period before this is refined. Alternatively, it may take years of exploration before a breakthrough is made. Sometimes the result is entirely different from (but potentially as valuable as) the one being sought. It is important to realise that there is no simple ‘model’ of how research should work, and every piece of research will follow its own path. Often people think of research in terms of science and technology, but research takes place in every area of academic study. Often people think of research in terms of science and technology, but research takes place in every area of academic study A LIBRARIAN'S DEFINITION ResearchResearch is a process of investigation. An examination of a subject from different points of view. It's not just a trip to the library to pick up a stack of materials, or picking the first five hits from a computer search. Research is a hunt for the truth. It is getting to know a subject

• by reading up on it,
• reflecting,
• playing with the ideas,
• choosing the areas that interest you and following up on them.

Research is the way you educate yourself. It can be dull if you make it that way. Or, it can be as exciting as 'The X Files.'

Research is a process through which we attempt to achieve systematically and with the support of data the answer to a question, the resolution of a problem, or a greater understanding of a phenomenon. This process, which is frequently called research methodology, has eight distinct characteristics:

CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH

• Research originates with a question or problem.
• Research requires a clear articulation of a goal.
• Research follows a specific plan of procedure.
• Research usually divides the principal problem into more manageable subproblems.
• Research is guided by the specific research problem, question, or hypothesis.
• Research accepts certain critical assumptions.
• Research requires the collection and interpretation of data in attempting to resolve the problem that initiated the research.
• Research is, by its nature, cyclical; or more exactly, helical.