Research

Research is "creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of knowledge". It involves the
collection, organization and analysis of information to increase understanding of a topic or issue. A research
project may be an expansion on past work in the field.

Art Research
"Art-based research can be defined as the systematic use of the artistic process, the actual making of artistic
expressions in all of the different forms of the arts, as a primary way of understanding and examining
experience by both researchers and the people that they involve in their studies."
Knowles, J. G and Ardra L Cole. Handbook of the Arts in Qualitative Research: Perspectives, Methodologies, Examples, and Issues. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc., 2008. SAGE Research
Methods. doi: 10.4135/9781452226545.

THE IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH IN DAILY LIFE

1. It's a tool for building knowledge and facilitating learning.
2. It's a means to understand issues and increase public awareness.
3. It helps us succeed in business.
4. It allows us to disprove lies and support truths.
5. It is a means to find, gauge, and seize opportunities.
6. It promotes a love of and confidence in reading, writing, analyzing, and sharing valuable information.
7. It provides nourishment and exercise for the mind.

The First Six Steps to Research

1. Define and articulate a research question (formulate a research hypothesis).

2. Identify possible sources of information in many types and formats.
3. Judge the scope of the project.
4. Reevaluate the research question based on the nature and extent of information available and the
parameters of the research project.
5. Select the most appropriate investigative methods (surveys, interviews, experiments) and research
tools (periodical indexes, databases, websites).
6. Plan the research project.

Questions to help with steps 1 through 3:

 What are the core concepts for your project or research?

 What are the core disciplines? Closely related disciplines?
 How comprehensive do you need to be in your literature review?
 What time span is relevant?
 Which individuals and organizations are likely to publish content on your topic and why?