ENGL Writing in Discipline Assignment #1November 12, 2013

1. Define research.> In the broadest sense of the word, the definition of research

includes any gathering of data, information and facts for the advancement of knowledge. -Martyn Shuttleworth

> Research is a process of steps used to collect and analyze information to increase our understanding of a topic or issue. -Creswell

> the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. -Oxford Dictionary

2. Different Types of Research

Quantitative and Qualitative

Quantitative research is the collecting of objective numerical data. Features are classified and counted, and statistical models are constructed to analyze and explain the information that has been gathered. Some of the tools used for this type of research include questionnaires that are given to test subjects, equipment that is used to measure something and databases of existing information. The goal of quantitative research is to compile statistical evidence, so the questionnaires used in this method typically include yes-or-no questions or multiple-choice questions rather than open-ended questions such as essay questions.

Unlike quantitative research, qualitative research is subjective and seeks to describe or interpret whatever is being researched. Instead of numbers, this type of research provides information in the form of words or visual representations. It relies on the researcher to observe, record and what happens, such as participants' answers to open-ended questions, subjects' behavior or the results of experiments. Case studies are common examples of qualitative research.

Observational and Experimental

Observational research is the collection of information without interference or input from the researcher. It is the examination of

things as they naturally or inherently are. The researcher simply observes, measures or records what occurs. That information is then analyzed and used to draw conclusions.

This is in contrast with experimental research, in which the researcher sets the parameters or conditions and is able to change them to determine their effects. Experimental research often occurs in laboratories but can occur anywhere. It merely requires the researcher to be able to control one or more conditions of the experiment. This method helps researchers understand how certain variables — the different aspects or conditions that can change — can affect whatever it is they are studying.

Basic, Applied and Developmental

When the purpose of research is simply to reveal or discover what is true, it can be called basic research. This type of research involves exploring that which is not known or understood. Applied research is taking what is already known and looking for ways to use it, such as to solve problems. Developmental research is similar to applied research but focuses on using what is already known to improve products or existing technology or to create something new.

3. Characteristics of Good Research•Vigorous: seeks to look at all avenues surrounding the problem in

order to conduct a thorough investigation •Systematic: identifies & labels variables, investigates relationships

between variables, data is collected, hypotheses are evaluated •Reductive: Research takes individual events & uses them to

establish general relationships •Logical: research design allows the investigator to draw

reasonable conclusions

•Replicable: Research process is recorded enabling others to test the findings

•Objective: Is not effected by the researchers own views, beliefs or

what they might want to find from the study

4. Goals & Purposes of Research