Meaning of research (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Research:

Research is an intellectual and experimental process that comprises a set of methods applied in a systematic way, with the aim of investigating a matter or topic, as well as expanding or developing its knowledge, be it of scientific, humanistic, social or technological interest..

Research also designates action and effect of investigating.

Research can have several objectives such as finding solutions to specific problems, unraveling the causes of a social problem, developing a new component for industrial use, obtaining data, among others.

Therefore, it is a work that is carried out through a methodical process, which must be developed in an organized and objective way so that the results obtained represent or reflect reality as much as possible.

However, its purpose is to publicize reality, discover something, understand a process, find a result, encourage intellectual activity, as well as reading and critical thinking.

As such, the word research originates from the Latin word investigatĭo , investigatiōnis .

Research characteristics

Below are the general characteristics of all research.

• It collects information from various primary sources useful for the development of investigative work. It is an empirical work, therefore it is based on the observation and experience of the researcher. The researcher must take into account the previous information on the topic, problem or phenomenon to study. It is developed in an organized and coherent way, therefore it is based on a research methodology. The data collected is analyzed, decoded and classified by the researcher. It must be objective, show the results obtained as they were found and without omitting opinions or Ratings. It is verifiable. The collected data can be verified because they come from a reality. It is innovative, that is, its results must expose new knowledge in the area of ​​research dealt with. It exposes a wide use of descriptive and analytical discourse. It must be replicable, especially in cases other researchers wish to repeat the work done. Its purpose is to discover the general principles on the topic and area of ​​research.

Scientific investigation

Scientific research is the systematic process of analysis and inquiry, governed by the application of a series of methods and techniques, the objective of which is to verify a hypothesis, as well as to confirm or develop theories related to the factual sciences.

Qualitative research

Qualitative research is called the type of research characteristic of the social and humanistic sciences that bases its studies and analyzes on non-quantifiable data, not transferable to numbers.

In this sense, qualitative research advances through interpretive and subjective procedures. The data that it uses are collected from direct observation, from interviews, as well as from referential bibliography. Its purpose is to respond to their hypotheses through evaluative reasoning of the subject or topic of study addressed.

Quantitative investigation

Quantitative research is that used in the area of ​​factual or natural sciences whose methodology bases its results on measurable data.

In this sense, quantitative research extracts its data through observation and measurement, and uses statistical tools to analyze, contrast and interpret the results.

As such, its nature is descriptive, since it seeks to determine the important characteristics and properties of the phenomenon studied.

Documentary research

Documentary research bases its method of study on the collection of information available in books, articles, documents or audiovisual media, which has been previously developed, directly or in a related way, around the topic or issue investigated.

This type of research allows the researcher to know the background of the problem, either to expand their knowledge on the subject, or to develop a new approach.

In this way, documentary research starts from the analysis, interpretation, reflection, criticism and confrontation of the collected information to present its results through the reasoned assessment of what was found.

Field research

Field research is called that where the researcher works directly in the environment, whether natural or social, of the issue or problem about which he is investigating.

See also:

• Types of research. Objective of the research. Research methodology.

Police investigation

In the area of ​​criminalistics, the investigation refers to the fact of investigating the behavior of subjects who are suspected of having committed a crime.

The investigation, in this case, is a police procedure to find out the circumstances, means and motives of a crime, and thus determine the guilt or innocence of the subjects involved.

See also:

• Seminar. Research protocol.