Research is the process of discovering knowledge about the world around us. It involves observing, collecting and analysing information in order to create new insights that can be used to inform action.
The research design of a study depends on the type of investigation being conducted. For example, if you want to explore the dynamics of an individual or group over time, then ethnographic research is the way to go (Sigmund Freud was a great practitioner). Similarly, experiments are useful in comparing and testing relationships that might be difficult to observe in the real world.
To begin a research project, it is important to identify a gap in existing knowledge or theory that you would like to investigate. This might be triggered by an observed pattern or by a question you have about the world. The hypothesis that you form acts as a guide through the research process, helping you to create tests and determining what data is important to collect.
You must also consider what kind of data you are after, and whether it is quantitative or qualitative in nature. Quantitative approaches favour numbers and metrics, such as experiments or structured surveys, whereas qualitative methods are best for exploring depth, emotion or reality, such as interviews and observations. In some cases, it is possible to combine both.
As with all research, it can take years before a body of research makes a tangible difference in society. Applied research – such as developing drugs, improving IT or designing a building – is more directly beneficial, but even basic research can have societal impact, such as in the case of investigating molecular structure, for instance, if it helps to advance scientific understanding.