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Research and Inquiry

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What is research?

Research is the systematic collection and analysis of observations for the purpose of creating new knowledge that can inform actions and decisions.

-- Hughes & Hayhoe (2008)

Research is essential to education and students from P-16 continually conduct research projects (although they are not always called that!). Academics also conduct research to expand the knowledge of their field. Many other professions also regularly conduct research for that reason as well.
Important!

Why do we research?

Research is inspired by a problem that we need to solve or a phenomenon we need to understand.

Are you a researcher?

Are you a researcher?

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Yes

karmicchristian says:

Maybe I do too much of R&D (Removal and Destruction) in the process of research! :)

reasonablerobinson says:

Absolutely, and avid seeker of knowledge, for squidoo and professionally as an academic

Irenemaria says:

Yes I am educated in Marketing research

Irenemaria says:

Yes, I got the education in the university of Sweden

No

 

Research Methods

The categories of research methods we will explore here include:


  • Quantitative
  • Qualitative
  • Literature review
  • Mixed methods

Quantitative

Primarily focuses on collection of data expressed in numbers and analysis that uses statistics.

Quantitative research if often best employed to help us understand WHAT happened (Hughes & Hayhoe).

Qualitative

Primarily focuses on collecting data in nonnumerical form (such as text, pictures, videotape, etc.) and analysis using ethnographic approaches

Qualitative research can often best help us understand WHY something happened (Hughes & Hayhoe).

Literature review

Primarily involves review and reporting on research conducted by others.

A literature review can help us understand what is already known about the research question.

Mixed methods

Mixed methods research does just that - combines methods of research, usually quantitative and qualitative

Analyzing both kinds of data offers a greater overall strength than either qualitative or quantitative research alone (Creswell, 2008)

A brief review

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Hughes & Hayhoe

A Research Primer for Technical Communication: Methods, Exemplars, and Analyses

A Research Primer for Technical Communication: Methods, Exemplars, and Analyses

by: Michael A. Hughes, George F. Hayhoe

Amazon Price: $51.11 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

Creswell

Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches

Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches

by: John W. Creswell

Amazon Price: $40.99 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

Share your thoughts about research

  • karmicchristian Jun 21, 2011 @ 2:02 am | delete
    Research and analysis go hand-in-hand I guess. Many 'why's make a man wise'. :)
  • Wednesday_Elf Nov 20, 2010 @ 8:07 am | delete
    My 'research' is not scientifically based - I just look up things for fun (and perhaps for a Squidoo lens), and for my own knowledge! :). Interesting to have true research explained, though.
  • reasonablerobinson Nov 9, 2010 @ 6:40 am | delete
    Declaring your research assumptions is important I feel. The interplay between philosophy, strategy, methodology and methods is very important and often overlooked. For simple fun suveys these issues aren't too important but for deeper explanations and knowledge that has impacts for policy and practice they are. For me I'm just gettiing into Critical Realism (Roy Bhaskar et al) and stratified Ontology - oooohhhhhh the crowd roars LOL!
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