Prior to venturing into any research undertaking, a person must know why the research is undertaken. Any study otherwise lacks justification or focus. Here, we will tackle both the nature of research and the process of undertaking academic research.

The Nature of Research

Research plays several important functions:

Expanding Knowledge: Research completes knowledge gaps in existing knowledge by revealing new information, leading to a further understanding of an existing phenomenon.

Finding Relationships: It assists in finding and discovering relations between various variables or dimensions of a subject.

Testing Knowledge: Science tests new as well as already established knowledge by systematic investigation.

Theory Building: It aids theory building and ensures intellectual and social progress.

The Academic Research Process

Conducting academic research involves a process of systematic steps:

1. Identifying the Research Problem

The research starts with the identification of a general or unclear problem"a question normally arising from observation or curiosity. The problem typically reflects a gap in knowledge and is the precursor for the study.

2. Stating the Research Problem

Next, the question is stated as a research question scientifically"something that can be asked based on evidence and information. It is here that the question is framed in measurable and research terms.

Example:
Are male employees more conscientious than females?

3. Reading and Reviewing Related Literature

Otherwise called the literature review, this process guarantees that the researcher:

  • Banks on existing knowledge.
  • Does not duplicate existing work.
  • Has an understanding of existing theories, prior findings, and accepted methodologies to the topic.

A good literature review is important in placing the research in an academic context.

4. Developing Hypotheses

On the basis of given theories and evidence, preliminary solutions to the problems of research are developed by the researcher. These are known as hypotheses, which are to be tested and formulated.

Example Hypothesis:
Male employees work harder than women employees.

5. Data Collection

Hypotheses must be tested and established or invalidated by data collection. The data serves as evidence for or against the hypotheses presented.

6. Data Analysis and Hypothesis Testing

In this step, the data gathered is interpreted and analyzed. The aim here is to see whether the evidence confirms the hypotheses or not. The analysis must be objective and unbiased.

7. Reporting Research Findings

Research findings are to be properly documented and recorded. Reporting is done on findings, procedures that were followed, and conclusions drawn. Reporting is a goal as it will benefit the academic community and will serve as a premise for future literature searches.

8. Generalization

Finally, the researcher establishes a relationship between findings and existing knowledge. This can lead to:

  • Development of new theories.
  • Refinement or change of the existing theories.

Secondly, extension of findings to wider applications in related fields.

By knowing why research is being conducted and adhering to the logical steps in carrying out the same, scholars can make their work meaningful, worthwhile, and intellectually worthwhile to read.