Definition of Research
research instrument can be defined as the
Noun
The systematic investigation into and study of
materials and sources in order to establish facts
and reach new conclusions.
Verb
Investigate systematically.
What is Research?
• Research is finding out what you don't know.
No one knows everything, but everybody knows
something. However, to complicate matters,
often what you know, or think you know, is
incorrect.
• There are two basic purposes for research: to
learn something, or to gather evidence.
• What you've learned is the source of the
background information you use to
communicate with others. In any conversation
you talk about the things you know, the things
you've learned. If you know nothing about the
subject under discussion, you can neither
contribute nor understand it.
When reading a study, one seeks the knowledge
that allows us to learn something new about the
topic we're interested in. Some studies are
conducted purely for the purpose of gaining
knowledge, but others aim to apply it in the real
world.
Characteristics of Research
• Reliability is a subjective term which can not
be measured precisely but today there are
instruments which can estimate the reliability of
any research. Reliability is the repeatability of
any research, research instrument, tool or
procedure.
• Validity is the strength with which we can call
a research conclusions, assumptions or
propositions true or false. Validity determines
the applicability of research Validity of the
suitability of the research instrument to the
research problem or how accurately the
instrument measures the problem.
• Accuracy is also the degree to which each
research process, instrument and tool is related
to each other. Accuracy also measures whether
research tools have been selected in best
possible manner and research procedures suits
the research problem or not.
• Credibility comes with the use of best source
of information and best procedures in research.
If you are using second-hand information in
your research due to any reason your research
might complete in less time but its credibility
will be at stake because secondary data has
been manipulated by human beings and is
therefore not very valid to use in research.
• Generalizability is the extent to which a
research findings can be applied to larger
population. When a researcher conducts a study
he/she chooses a target population and from
this population he takes a small sample to
conduct the research. This sample is
representative of the whole population so the
findings should also be. If research findings can
be applied to any sample from the population,
the results of the research are said to be
generalizable.
• Empirical nature of research means that the
research has been conducted following rigorous
scientific methods and procedures. Each step in
the research has been tested for accuracy and is
based on real life experiences.
• Systematic approach is the only approach for
research. No research can be conducted
haphazardly. Each step must follow other.
• Controlled - in real life experience there are
many factors that effect an outcome. A single
event is often result of several factors. When
similar event is tested in research, due to the
broader nature of factors that effect that event,
some factors are taken as controlled factors
while others are tested for possible effect.

Different Types of Research

• BASIC RESEARCH

The research which is done for knowledge

enhancement, the research which does not
have immediate commercial potential. The
research which is done for human welfare,
animal welfare and plant kingdom welfare. It is
called basic, pure, fundamental research.

• APPLIED RESEARCH

Applied research is designed to solve practical

problem of the modern world, rather than to
acquire knowledge for knowledge's sake. The
goal of applied research is to improve the
human condition. It focus on analysis and
solving social and real life problems. This
research is generally conducted on large scale
basis, it is expensive.

Ctto: Andrea N. Cielo