What is Research?

Research is a structured and methodical process of gathering, analyzing, and interpreting information to address a specific question or solve a problem.

The term “research” combines “re” (meaning “again” or “new”) and “search” (meaning to carefully examine). Therefore, research, as a concept, involves a thorough, systematic, and persistent investigation within a specific area of knowledge. It is conducted to establish facts, principles, or new understandings.

Research can also be described as:

• A systematic investigative journey aimed at discovering credible solutions to challenges through the organized selection, collection, analysis, and interpretation of relevant data.

• A broad spectrum of activities that enable us to expand our understanding of the world. This process involves:

  • Identifying and refining problems.

  • Developing theories or potential solutions.

  • Gathering, structuring, and evaluating evidence.

  • Drawing logical conclusions and testing them against initial hypotheses or theories.

• Fundamentally, a quest for knowledge.

• A meticulous and detailed inquiry, especially to uncover new facts in any field of study.

• A structured endeavor to generate new knowledge.

• An organized exploration of a problem.

• A planned and systematic pursuit of information to grow the overall body of human understanding.

• A careful examination or inquiry aimed at finding facts or principles; a diligent investigation to determine something.

Purpose of Research

Research serves multiple vital purposes:

1. Problem Solving and Question Answering: To find solutions to existing problems or provide answers to specific questions.

2. Discovery and Interpretation: To uncover and understand new facts and their significance.

3. Theory Revision: To test existing theories and revise or refine them based on new evidence and insights. This keeps knowledge current and accurate.

4. New Theory Development: To create and propose new theories that explain phenomena or relationships, pushing the boundaries of current understanding.

5. Knowledge and Theory Validation: To rigorously test the validity and reliability of current knowledge and established theories.

6. Frequency and Association Determination: To identify how often events or phenomena occur and explore the relationships between them.

7. Decision-Making Framework: To provide a reliable and evidence-based foundation for making informed decisions in various fields.

8. Prediction, Explanation, and Interpretation: To predict future trends, explain why events occur, and interpret the meaning of behaviors or occurrences.

9. Knowledge Expansion: To broaden the existing base of knowledge and contribute to our collective understanding of the world.

10. Solution Implementation: To develop and put into action practical solutions to identified problems and challenges.

11. Academic and Professional Advancement: To achieve academic qualifications and enhance expertise in a specific field through rigorous inquiry.

Characteristics of Research

For research to be considered trustworthy and valuable, it should exhibit specific characteristics:

1. Clear Purpose: Research must be focused and have a clearly defined and specific objective. What is the research trying to achieve?

2. Transparent Procedure: The methods and procedures employed should be detailed and transparently described. This allows others to understand and potentially replicate the study to verify findings.

3. Objective Design: The research design should be carefully structured to minimize potential biases and ensure that the results are as objective as possible, reflecting the reality of the data rather than researcher opinion.

4. Honesty and Integrity: Research findings must be reported honestly and truthfully, without any distortion, fabrication, or misrepresentation of the data or results.

5. Thorough Data Analysis: Data analysis must be appropriate and sufficiently rigorous to reveal the true significance of the findings. The methods used should be justified and suitable for the type of data collected.

6. Validity and Reliability: The data collected must be both valid (measuring what it is intended to measure) and reliable (consistent and repeatable). This ensures the accuracy and trustworthiness of the results.

7. Generalizability (Applicability): Ideally, research should have broader applicability beyond the specific study group or situation. Findings should be relevant and useful in other similar contexts.

8. Justifiable Conclusions: Conclusions drawn from the research should be directly and logically supported by the data obtained. They should be limited to what the evidence actually shows and avoid making unsupported claims.

Additional Key Characteristics:

• Problem-Focused: Directed towards addressing and solving a specific problem or question.

• Principle and Theory Generalization: Aims to identify and generalize principles or theories that can be applied more broadly.

• Accurate Observation and Description: Relies on precise observations and detailed descriptions of phenomena.

• Data Sourcing: Involves gathering new data from original (primary) sources or utilizing existing data for a novel research purpose.

• Careful Design: Is systematically and thoughtfully planned and structured.

• Expertise Required: Necessitates a degree of expertise and specialized knowledge in the research area and methodology.

• Objectivity and Logic: Strives to be objective, unbiased, and based on logical reasoning and evidence.

• Quest for Unresolved Answers: Driven by a desire to find answers to questions that are not yet fully understood.

• Patient and Deliberate Activity: Requires patience, persistence, and a methodical approach.

• Detailed Recording and Reporting: Findings are meticulously documented and reported in a clear and comprehensive manner.

• Courage (Sometimes): In some cases, research may require intellectual courage to challenge existing norms or explore controversial topics.

Types of Research

Research can be categorized into various types based on different criteria:

1. Applied Research: Focused on solving practical, real-world problems. It seeks to apply scientific knowledge to develop solutions for everyday issues, improve practices, or create new technologies. Example: Research to enhance crop yields in agriculture or to develop new treatments for specific diseases.

2. Basic Research (Pure Research): Driven by curiosity and the desire to expand fundamental knowledge about the world. It may not have immediate practical applications, but it forms the foundation for future applied research and innovations. Example: Investigating the origins of the universe or mapping the human genome.

3. Correlational Research: Examines the relationships or associations between two or more variables without necessarily determining cause and effect. It identifies if and how variables change together. Example: Studying the relationship between music listening habits and blood pressure levels.

4. Descriptive Research: Aims to provide an accurate and detailed description of the characteristics of a population, situation, or phenomenon. It focuses on “what,” “where,” “when,” and “how” but not necessarily “why.” Example: Determining the most common diseases affecting children in a specific region.

5. Ethnographic Research: Involves in-depth study of a culture or social group. Researchers immerse themselves in the culture to understand behaviors, customs, and perspectives from an insider’s viewpoint. Example: Studying the cultural practices of a specific community regarding health and wellness.

6. Experimental Research: Aims to establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables through controlled experiments. It involves manipulating one or more variables (independent variables) and measuring their effect on other variables (dependent variables). Example: Testing the effectiveness of a new drug in treating a particular medical condition.

7. Exploratory Research: Conducted when a problem is not clearly defined or understood. It is used to gain initial insights, explore new ideas, and formulate hypotheses for future research. It is often preliminary and not intended to provide definitive answers. Example: Initial studies to understand a new social trend or a poorly understood phenomenon.

8. Grounded Theory Research: Aims to develop theories that are “grounded” in data systematically collected and analyzed from the field. It is an iterative process of data collection and analysis, where theory emerges from the data itself rather than pre-existing hypotheses. Example: Developing a theory about how patients cope with chronic illness based on interviews and observations.

9. Historical Research: Examines past events to understand the present and potentially anticipate the future. It involves analyzing historical documents, records, and artifacts to gain insights into past trends and patterns. Example: Studying the history of nursing practices or the evolution of public health policies.

10. Phenomenological Research: Focuses on understanding the lived experiences of individuals related to a particular phenomenon. It seeks to describe the essence of these experiences from the perspective of those who have lived them. Example: Exploring the lived experiences of patients undergoing cancer treatment.

Types of Research by Classification

Research can be classified based on different dimensions:

I. Classification by Purpose

• Basic (Pure) Research: Primarily concerned with generating new knowledge and developing theories. Its main goal is to expand understanding without immediate practical application.

• Applied Research: Focuses on applying theories and knowledge to solve practical problems and evaluate their usefulness in real-world settings. It seeks to improve human conditions and address specific challenges.

• Action Research: Goes beyond basic and applied research by aiming for immediate application and utilization of research findings. It focuses on solving specific, localized problems and improving practices in a particular context, often with a “here and now” emphasis.

• Evaluation Research: Used to assess the effectiveness or impact of programs, policies, or interventions. It helps in decision-making by analyzing what was intended, what was achieved, and what future steps are needed.

II. Classification by Method

• Historical Research: Analyzes past events to identify patterns, trends, and insights that can inform the present and future. It helps understand how past solutions and practices can be relevant today.

• Descriptive Research: Provides a detailed and accurate portrayal of the characteristics of a subject, group, or situation. It focuses on describing “what is” and quantifying aspects of interest.

• Analytical Research: Goes beyond description to explain why something is the way it is or how it came to be. It examines relationships and seeks to understand the underlying causes and mechanisms of phenomena.

• Correlational Research: Investigates the statistical relationships or associations between variables without necessarily establishing causation. It explores how variables are related or tend to change together.

• Experimental Research: Employs controlled experiments to examine cause-and-effect relationships between variables. It involves manipulation of variables to determine their impact on outcomes.

III. Classification based on Approach

• Qualitative Research: Focuses on understanding the qualities, meanings, and interpretations of human experiences and behaviors. It uses non-numerical data such as text, interviews, and observations to gain in-depth insights.

• Quantitative Research: Deals with numerical data and statistical analysis to measure and quantify phenomena. It uses scientific methods to test hypotheses, establish relationships, and generalize findings to larger populations.

• Mixed Methods Approach: Combines both qualitative and quantitative research methods in a single study. This approach leverages the strengths of both methods to provide a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the research topic.

Reasons for Studying Research

Studying research is crucial for:

1. Building Foundational Knowledge: Advancing basic knowledge that underpins essential infrastructure management, including healthcare practices, drug development, and disease management.

2. Developing Innovations: Creating new tools, treatments, and technologies, such as drugs, vaccines, and diagnostic tools, to improve lives and address societal needs.

3. Informing Public Health Practices: Providing evidence-based information to the public to promote healthy behaviors and lifestyles and improve overall health outcomes.

4. Effective Planning and Management: Generating data and insights that enable better planning, decision-making, and management in various sectors, including healthcare, education, and business.

Need for Research in Nursing

Research is particularly vital in nursing to:

1. Develop Professional Skills: Cultivate critical thinking, intellectual competence, and technical skills essential for effective nursing practice.

2. Address Knowledge Gaps: Fill gaps in nursing knowledge and improve the evidence base for nursing practice, leading to better patient care.

3. Promote Accountability: Foster a sense of commitment and accountability to clients by grounding nursing practice in evidence and best practices.

4. Enhance Professionalism: Provide a strong foundation for nursing as a profession by establishing a body of knowledge unique to nursing.

5. Ensure Professional Accountability: Provide a basis for professional accountability by demonstrating the effectiveness and value of nursing interventions.

6. Adapt to Societal Changes: Identify and understand the evolving role of nurses in a changing society and healthcare landscape.

7. Discover New Practices: Uncover and develop innovative measures and interventions to improve nursing care and patient outcomes.

8. Support Administrative Decisions: Help healthcare administrators make informed and timely decisions to address emerging problems and improve service delivery.

9. Improve Nursing Education: Enhance the quality and effectiveness of nursing education programs by incorporating research findings and evidence-based teaching methods.

10. Advance Nursing Theory: Refine existing nursing theories and develop new theories that contribute to the theoretical basis of the nursing discipline.

Main Benefits of Research

Engaging in research offers numerous benefits:

1. Critical and Scientific Thinking: Develops a critical and scientific mindset, promoting evidence-based reasoning and problem-solving skills.

2. In-Depth Subject Knowledge: Provides the opportunity to explore a subject in great depth, leading to a more profound understanding.

3. Library and Information Skills: Enhances skills in using libraries and accessing information resources effectively.

4. Literature Evaluation: Develops the ability to critically assess and evaluate scientific and professional literature, ensuring informed practice.

5. Specialized Interests and Skills: Fosters the development of specialized interests and skills in a particular area of study or research methodology.

6. Interdisciplinary Understanding: Enhances understanding of diverse perspectives and approaches, whether in routine practice or research settings.

7. Academic Recognition: Often leads to academic awards and recognition, contributing to professional advancement.

Nurse’s Responsibility in Relation to Research

All registered nurses have a professional responsibility to:

• Stay Informed: Read and understand research reports relevant to their nursing specialty to keep their practice current and evidence-based.

• Identify Research Needs: Recognize areas in nursing practice where further research is needed to improve care and outcomes.

• Collaborate with Researchers: Work effectively with researchers, contributing their clinical expertise and insights to research projects.

• Inform Patients about Research: Clearly and ethically discuss any research studies in which patients are being asked to participate, ensuring informed consent and patient rights are protected.

Principles of Good Research

Good research is guided by key principles:

• Clear Research Aims: A well-defined and clearly stated research aim that precisely articulates the research question.

• Informed Consent: Obtaining informed consent from all research participants before any data collection begins, respecting their autonomy and rights.

• Appropriate Methodology: Using a research methodology that is well-suited to address the specific research question and objectives.

• Unbiased Conduct: Carrying out the research in an unbiased and objective manner, minimizing potential sources of bias and ensuring data integrity.

• Adequate Resources: Ensuring that the research project has sufficient and appropriate resources, including personnel, time, funding, and materials, from the outset.

• Trained Researchers: Employing researchers who are adequately trained in research methods and ethical conduct.

• Subject Matter Expertise: Ensuring that those involved in designing, conducting, analyzing, and supervising the research possess a thorough understanding of the subject area being investigated.

• Relevant Experience: Ideally, the researchers should have prior experience working in the area or context of the research.

• Policy Relevance (If Applicable): When relevant, research findings should be used to inform and improve policy-making processes and practices.

• Ethical Conduct: Ensuring that all aspects of the research are ethical and do not cause any harm or undue risk to participants.

Research Techniques

Two primary categories of research techniques are commonly used:

1. Qualitative Research: Employs methods that explore and understand the qualities, meanings, and experiences of phenomena that are difficult to measure precisely with numbers. Example: In-depth interviews to understand patient experiences of chronic pain. While surveys can be used, the focus is on exploring subjective experiences and interpretations rather than numerical quantification in the qualitative sense.

2. Quantitative Research: Relies on methods that accurately and precisely measure phenomena using numerical data. Data is presented in statistical forms, such as percentages, means, and correlations. Example: Measuring heart rate, blood pressure, or temperature to quantify physiological responses. Also known as empirical research, it focuses on objective measurement and statistical analysis.