ISSN: 2395-1664 (ONLINE) ICTACT JOURNAL ON MANAGEMENT STUDIES, FEBRUARY 2018, VOLUME: 04, ISSUE: 01

DOI: 10.21917/ijms.2018.0091

RESEARCH IN EDUCATION ITS NECESSITY OF AND IMPORTANCE - A STUDY

Rathnakar. G
Department of Mechanical Engineering, ATME College of Engineering, India

Abstract alternative solutions to an existing problem and enables

Research is evidence-based practice or a result that is proven repeatedly value addition.
when called for, research is search for facts and knowledge. Finding • To carry a research it is necessary to find an interesting
reasons why research is important seems like a question which is topic to discuss and/or to write about should be beyond
obvious, as it is well known that without research every field may attain
personal experience. Determining what the general public
the state of rigidity or stagnation with no growth and no changes taking
place, but many people avoid getting involved in research because of want to know about or what researchers want others to
several reasons. The students may not show inclination towards realize or think about can serve as a problem to do research.
research and the academician could just be doing it for the sake of Research can lead to lot of solutions to the societal problems
promotion purposes. Yet, for those who want to learn new things, including finding possible cures for various diseases and
explore new thoughts and new ideas and involve in creating something possible methods to prevent these diseases. Research
new research is a must- whether or not they are members of a learning inculcates scientific and inductive thinking and it promotes
institution. The revolution in technological growth is the evidence to the development of logical habits of thinking and
showcase the need of research in every sector. The results of research organization [4].
can lead to changes in methods and practices, doing research is not just
an imperative, but a need. This paper explores the various reasons why • Research generally involves problem identification,
research is important in education and what is its contribution in the problem formulation, literature review, analysis or
development of the human growth and its civilization. investigation and draw conclusion. Areas where research is
predominantly applied are agriculture, food and beverage,
Keywords: manufacturing, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, computer
software, semiconductor, information and communication
Research, Researcher, Education, Technology
technology, construction, robotics, aerospace, aviation, and
energy industries are having high R&D investment and
1. INTRODUCTION expenditure because it is critical to produce innovate
products and improve services.
Research is the process of investigating the truth which is not
Young [4] has carried research that can help teachers to
revealed or not known. Research is the process of systematic,
understand what works and why, what is the short and long term
rigorous investigation of a situation or problem in order to
implications, provide a justification and rationale for decisions
generate new knowledge, idea or validate existing knowledge [1].
and actions, help to build a repertoire to help deal with the
The Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English lays down
unexpected, identify problems, inform improvement and so forth
the meaning of research as “A careful investigation or inquiry
Based on above challenges only one cannot adhered to the
especially through search for new facts in any branch of
research, but the decisions upon evidence is morally sound.
knowledge.”
• Redman and Mory [2] define research as a “systematized 1.1 FORMS OF RESEARCH
effort to gain new knowledge”.
• Original research: The research that is not based on
• Slesinger and Stephenson in the Encyclopedia of Social
summery, review and synthesis of earlier publication [5].
Sciences define research as “the manipulation of things,
concepts or symbols for the purpose of generalising to • Scientific research: Follows the systematic process of
extend, correct or verify knowledge, whether that gathering data and harnessing the purpose. This research
knowledge aids in construction of theory or in the practice provides scientific information and theories for the
of an art” [3]. explanation of the nature and the properties of the world [6].
• Researchers are engaged in the critical study of original • Research in humanities: Artistic research: is also referred to
empirical research to learn about cutting edge methods of as ‘practice-based research’ in this type of research the
data collection and analysis. Philosophical assumptions creative works are considered both the research and the
underlying educational enquiry are to be examined. object of research. Applied research: is the scientific study
“Creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the used to solve practical problems. Applied research is used to
stock of knowledge, including knowledge of humans, find solutions to day to day problems, research in the field
culture and society, and the use of this stock of knowledge of medicine to cure illness, develop innovative technologies
to devise new applications”. Research is not just restricted in medicinal and other engineering disciplines, applied
to student and academicians. It is applicable to all the research is more focused on practical issues rather than
professionals across different streams. Research is equally acquiring knowledge [7]. “Gathering knowledge for
important for poets and veteran writer also. Research leads knowledge’s sake is termed ‘pure’ or ‘basic’ research” [4].
to creative thinking, explores the possible ways of finding • Basic research or pure research: is driven by individual’s
curiosity or interest. The main motivation is to reveal

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curiosity of man or expand man's knowledge, but not to address the need of why research in education, what is its benefits,
create or invent something [8]. what is educational research, to address the need for continued
• Correlation research: deals with the systematic research, to understand the contributions of research, and to
investigation or statistical study of relationships among two ensure the need of research for the future prospects of the
or more variables, without necessarily determining cause educational institutions.
and effect. It seeks to establish a relation or association or
correlation between two or more variables that do not readily 3. METHODOLOGY
lend themselves to experimental manipulation [9].
• Descriptive research: is an accurate portrayal of The current problem is analyzed by collecting various data
characteristics of a particular individual, situation, or group. from primary and secondary sources. To analyze the data various
Descriptive research is also known as statistical research [10]. statistical tools like graphs and other illustrative technique is
adopted.
• Ethnographic research: is the investigation of a culture
through an in-depth study of the personalities of the culture. • To initiate with the problem a detailed questionnaire was
It adopts a systematic collection, description, and analysis of prepared.
data for development of theories of cultural behavior. • This questionnaire was circulated to a selected sample and
• Experimental research: involves the process of determining detailed feedback was obtained from the selected sampling.
the objective, systematic, controlled investigation for the • After obtaining the detailed sampling using various
purpose of predicting and controlling phenomena and illustrative methods the data is being presented in tabular
examining probability and causality among selected and graphical methods.
variables [11]. • Various inferences and appropriate conclusions were drawn
• Exploratory research: is a type of research conducted for a to summarize the findings.
problem that has not been clearly defined. Exploratory
research helps determine the best research design, data 4. OBJECTIVES
collection method and selection of subjects.
• Grounded theory research: is a research approach designed • To understand and know the need of research and its
to discover what problems exist in a given social importance in education.
environment and how the persons involved handle them; it • To understand the various methods of carrying the research.
involves formulation, testing, and reformulation of
propositions until a theory is developed [8] [9]. • To evaluate the effect of research in education.
• Historical research: is a research that involves analysis of • To project the probable benefits that may be derived by
event that occurred in the past. implementing research component in education.
• Phenomenological research: an inductive, descriptive • To evaluate the gains by implementing research in education
research approach developed from phenomenological system.
philosophy; its aim is to describe an experience as it is 4.1 REASONS THAT DRIVE RESEARCH
actually lived by the person [12].
On a broader perspective, all researches can be classified into The following is the list that addresses the various reasons that
two groups: drive the research in the educational institutions, the following
sample questions (few set) were posed in the questionnaire:
• Qualitative research: is research dealing with phenomena
that are difficult or impossible to quantify mathematically, • Why research in education?
such as beliefs, meanings, attributes, and symbols • What is educational research?
Qualitative researchers aim to gather an in-depth • What is the Need for continued research?
understanding of human behavior and the reasons that
govern such behavior. The qualitative method investigates • What is the Contributions of research in education?
the why and how of decision making. Need of research for the future.
• Quantitative research: refers to the systematic empirical 4.2 INSTITUTIONS ADOPTING RESEARCH IN
investigation of any phenomena via statistical, mathematical
THEIR EDUCATION
or computational techniques. The objective of quantitative
research is to develop and employ mathematical models, The Fig.1 shows the current trend followed in educational
theories and/or hypotheses pertaining to phenomena. institutions.
It is observed that more than 64% of the educational
2. PROBLEM DEFINITION institutions follow the conventional education system and around
34% of the educational institutions have switched over to the new
The need of research in education is recognized by collecting trend of having research component in their curriculum.
information from various primary and secondary sources. The The educational institutions have adopted the conventional
initiation of the problem was based on the current academic methods of teaching and it is observed that the educational
scenario in school education and based on the curriculum being institutions have limitations to take up necessary initiatives to take
followed in technical and medical institutions. To emphasize and

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a required change which has forced the institutions to follow the

conventional education methods.
Learning Experience

Meet Modern Demands

Improve Existing One

New Information

Finding out New things

Analysing
0 20 40 60 80 100
Percentage
Conventional Curriculum
Research Involved Education Fig.3. Means to understand various issues

Fig.1. Institution adopting research in curriculum The implementation of research in education will open up
various avenues to carry out analysis, helps find new things, new
4.3 ENHANCE KNOWLEDGE, BUILD LEARNING, information, improve existing things and information, will
prepare to meet modern demands and learning abilities.
INNOVATION
The basic reason for conducting research is to have an insight 4.5 RESEARCH IN EDUCATIONAL
into a specific topic and to see that there is a fair chance of INSTITUTIONS LEADS TO
enhancing the existing knowledge on that specific topic and
further supported with the aid of the previous studies. International Recognition

New Dimension Pursuit of Excellence

to Thinking
Continuos Improvement
Search for
answers Eliminate flaws/Weakness
Satisfy Stake Holders Needs
New Questions
Oppurtunity for Growth
Basic Principle
and Subjects Truth Finding

Enhance Learning
Quality Enhancement
Innovation
Knowledge
Success

Innovation 0 20 40 60 80 100
Percentage
0 20 40 60 80 100
Percentage Fig.4. Changes in educational system

Fig.2. Benefits of Research in Education From the Fig.4, it is clearly evident that the introduction of
research in educational system can lead to various changes in the
From the Fig.2, it is observed and found that the research will education leading to enhanced innovation, success, enhancement
lead and enhance some of the parameters such as new dimensions in quality of product and also in quality of life, helps find truth,
to thinking, tend to search answers, raises new questions, helps enhance the opportunity for growth for the organizations, leading
understand the basic principles and subjects in a better manner, to continuous improvement by eliminating flaws and allows
research will leads to enhanced learning of a subject and concept, excellence in diverse fields and may bring in international
will enhance knowledge and leads to innovation. Over all it is recognition.
observed that there is a remarkable enhancement and benefits
related to all the parameters under consideration. 5. CONCLUSIONS
4.4 MEANS TO UNDERSTAND VARIOUS ISSUES
The current education system needs a transformation and
Research can reveal some of the issues that were not known drastic changes to be incorporated in this context the present paper
earlier and can raise new questions and lead to new investigations. makes an attempt to sensitize the issue of the importance of the
research in every sector of the education system. The adoption and

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satisfy stakeholder’s needs, eliminate flaws, continuous Techniques”, 2nd Edition, New Age International Publishers,
improvement, leading to international recognition. The research 2014.
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it can be concluded that the implementation of the research based Research Decisions”, John Wiley and Sons, 1962.
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House, 1979.
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