Research Methods What Is Research?: Prepared By: Komal Mehreen M.Phil (Communication and Media Studies)

RESEARCH METHODS
What is Research?
Literarily, the term research is composed of wards “Re” and Search”. We can say that “Search” means “To Find
Something” and “Re” means “again and again” thus its finding something again and again. Historically we have a context.
Reasons of Research
Why to find something again and again? The reasons behind the research is the believe that there exists some
invariant relationship between some Antecedents and certain Effects / Behaviours / Reasons. Therefore certain causes
may be the reason for certain behaviours, and in order to be Wise of the World. One must be anticipative of both. In short
we Guess Educatively.
Definition
1. Research means to investigate systematically.
2. A systematic investigation to collect information on a subject.
3. Research is systemized effort to gain new knowledge.
4. Research is a way to discover, develop and verify knowledge.
5. Research is a process for generation of new knowledge.
6. A systematic investigative process used to increase or revise current knowledge by discovering new facts.
7. Research is a detailed (comprehensive) study of a subject in order to discover (new) information or to reach (new)
understanding.
8. A systematic investigation into and study of material & sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusion.
Definition of Research with Reference

1. Systematic investigative process employed to increase or revise the existing and current knowledge by discovering
new facts (Wimmer & Domanier).
2. An attempt to discover something (Wimmer & Dominick, 2014).
3. Research is examination of subject from a specific point of view, a hunt for the truth, getting to know a subject by
reading upon it, reflecting, playing with the ideas, choosing the areas that interest you and following upon them. In
short research is the way you educate yourself (Librarians).
4. According to Rusk research is “a point of view, and attitude of enquiry or a frame of mind. It asks questions which
have never be asked, and it seeks to answer them by following a fairly definite procedure. It is not a mere theorizing,
but rather and attempt elicit facts and to face them once they have been assembled. Research is likewise not an
attempt to bolster up pre-conceived opinions, and it implies a readiness to accept conclusion to which and enquiry
leads, no matter how unwelcome they may proved. When successful research adds to the scientific knowledge of
subject.
5. According to J. Monly, “research is systematic and scholarly application of scientific method interpreted in its broader
sense to the solution of social studies problems; conversely, any systematic study designed to promote the
development of social studies as a science, as science can be considered research.
6. According to Francis G. Cornell “To be sure the best research is that which is reliable, verifiable and exhaustive, so
that it provides information in which he have confidence. The main point here is that research is, literally speaking, a
kind of human behaviour, and activity in which people engaged. By this definition all intelligent human behaviour
involves some research”.
Prepared by: Komal Mehreen

M.Phil (Communication and Media Studies)
7. Clifford Woody, research is a careful inquiry in seeking facts or principles, its not just a matter of search for truth, but
a prolonged analysis that constitutes the method for discovery of truth. It is the matter of implanting critical thinking.
It comprises defining and pre-defining problems; formulating hypothesis or suggested solution; collecting, organizing
and evaluating data, making reduction and reaching conclusion and at last carefully testing the conclusion
determining whether they fit the formulating hypothesis.
8. C.C. Crawford says, “Research is simply systematic and refined technique of thinking implying specialize tools,
techniques and procedures in order to obtain a more adequate solution of problems than would be possible under
ordinary means. It starts with the problem, collects data or facts, analysis these critically and reaches decisions
based on the actual evidence. It evolves original work instead of more exercise of personal work. It evolves from
genuine desire to know rather than the desire to prove something. It is quantitative seeking to know not only but how
much, and measurement is therefore, a central feature of it”.
9. According to James Harves Robinson, “Research is but diligent search which enjoys the high flavour of primitive hunting”.
10. According to encyclopedia of social sciences, “Research is a systemized effort to gain new knowledge”.
11. According to C. Francis Baker, Research is a way to discover, develop and verify knowledge. It is an intellectual process
that has developed over years, even changing in purpose and form and always searching for the truth.
12. According to P.M. Cook, “Research is an honest, exhaustive and intelligent search for facts and their meanings of
implications, authentic verifiable and contribution to knowledge in the field of studies”.
Explanation.
From all above definitions we come to know that research is process through which we can increase our existing knowledge
by discovering new things. Research is way through which we can increase our level of understanding. Research is always specific
according to any special point of view having proper steps and procedures to prove any assumption with facts.
Research is the process of developing and verifying the things means to make the things valid because we statistically verify
the research. Research is an organized and systematic way of finding answers to questions.
Characteristics of Research
1. Research Creates New Knowledge . In research we create new knowledge and increase the stock of knowledge when we
travel from known to unknown or from unknown to known.
2. Research is Systematic / Scientific. Research is systematic because there is a definite set of procedures and steps which
you/we have to follow in order to get the most accurate results.
3. Organized. Research is planned procedure and it is focused and limited to a specific scope.
4. Research is Limited. Research is credible because it has some limitations which make it valuable and reliable.
5. Research is Cumulative. Research is cumulative means that all things that came before are included.
6. Research is Objective. Research is always objective which means that in research one remains impartial in both words
and measurements.
7. Research is Empirical. Research is always in empirical form which means it can be measureable or can be measured.
8. Research is Public. Research is public document and anyone can use it with proper reference.
9. Research is Generalized. It is the beauty of research that through concept of generalization, it can predict the
effect of anything over large area by testing limited portion of that area.
10. Research is Accurate. In Research we follow systematic and stepwise process through which we can create new
and accurate knowledge.
11. Research is Verifiable. Scientific research should be publicly verifiable knowledge. This means that the research is
presented to the public in such a way that it can be observed, replicated, criticized, and tested for veracity by others.

12. Research is Reliable. Other researchers must be able to perform exactly the same experiment, under the same
conditions and generate the same results.
13. Research is Exhaustive. Exhaustive means in a survey questions all possible responses are captured by the
response options made available to a respondent. Not only do the questions need to be clear, but the response
options must also provide the respondent with clear and complete choices. Option (any other) is also included.
14. Research is Replicable. Every research can be replicated by anyone or by researcher himself by adding new
concepts or from different angle.
15. Research is not Mechanical. Research is not a mechanical process because there is always an unknown element
in research.
16. First Hand Information. In research we receives two type of information that are: -
a. Primary Information. Data collected by investigator or by yourself.
b. Secondary Information. Data collected by other people.
Questionnaires Previous Research
Primary Data Secondary Data

Surveys Letters
Interviews Govt. Reports


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RESEARCH METHODS

Definition of Research with Reference

2. An attempt to discover something (Wimmer & Dominick, 2014).

Prepared by: Komal Mehreen

Prepared by: Komal Mehreen

Questionnaires Previous Research

Primary Data Secondary Data

Interviews Govt. Reports

Prepared by: Komal Mehreen

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