RESEARCH

• Research is "the systematic study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions" (Oxford English Dictionary, as cited in O'Leary 2004)
• Research involves a scientific investigation of phenomena, including the collection, presentation, analysis, and interpretation of facts that link speculation with reality (Calmorin & Calmorin, 1995)
• Research, in its broadest sense, is an attempt to gain solutions to problems, involving the collection of data in a rigorously controlled situation for the purpose of prediction or explanation (Treece and Treece)
• Types of research:

  • Basic research: aims to gain a broader understanding of a particular problem or phenomenon, leading to new ideas, concepts, and theories that may not be directly applicable in real life
  • Applied research: seeks solutions to actual problems, resulting in new ideas and concepts with direct real-life application
• Basic research is mostly theoretical and not directly applicable to real-life problems and concerns
• Examples of basic research:

  • The role of the government in providing basic social services
  • Therapeutic effects of pet ownership
  • Parenting styles across different Asian cultures
• Applied research has obvious and immediate applications in real life
• Examples of applied research:

  • The effectiveness of vaccines in preventing infectious diseases
  • The effectiveness of social media advertisements in increasing sales
• Importance of research:

  • Helps understand the world better
  • Allows finding answers to problems
  • Enables evaluating answers to different problems
• Applied research has obvious and immediate applications