Tuesday 13 November 2007

Research Basics

Research is a human activity based on intellectual investigation and aimed at discovering, interpreting, and revising human knowledge on different aspects of the world. Research can use the scientific method, but need not do so.

Research is often conducted using the hourglass model. The hourglass model starts with a broad spectrum for research, focusing in on the required information through the methodology of the project (like the neck of the hourglass), then expands the research in the form of discussion and results

Scientific Method Steps:

1.Formation of the topic
2.Hypothesis
3.Conceptual definitions
4.Operational definitions
5.Gathering of data
6.Analysis of data
7.Test, revising of hypothesis
8.Conclusion, iteration if necessary

Historical Method Steps:

1.Identification of origin date
2.Evidence of localization
3.Recognition of authorship
4.Analysis of data
5.Identification of integrity
6.Attribution of credibility

Types of Research:

1.Exploratory research, which structures and identifies new problems
2.Constructive research, which develops solutions to a problem
3.Empirical research, which tests the feasibility of a solution using empirical evidence

Research methods used by scholars include:

Action research
Cartography
Case study
Classification
Experience and intuition
Experiments
Interviews
Mathematical models
Participant observation
Simulation
Statistical analysis
Statistical surveys
Content or Textual Analysis
Ethnography

how to look for information, where to look, how to read the information and how to find what you are looking for is a skill.

just a question bloggers: im so curious to know: how many times did you make a research in your whole life, ya3ni you truly deeply digged into a topic and you came out with a true mental judgement?

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