Research Definition

Research in common refers to Search for Knowledge. It purifies human life. One can also define Research as a Scientific and Systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic. In fact, Research is an act of Scientific Investigation.

The word research is composed of two syllables, re and search. The dictionary defines the former as a prefix meaning again, a new or over again and the latter as a verb, meaning to examine closely and carefully, to test and try, or to probe.

Together they form a noun describing a careful, systematic, patient study and investigation in some field of knowledge, undertaken to establish facts or principles (Grinnell 1993).

Scientific Research is a systematic and objective attempt to provide answers to certain questions. The purpose of scientific research is to discover and develop an organised body of knowledge. Therefore, scientific research may be defined as the systematic and empirical analysis and recording of controlled observation, which may lead to the development of theories, concepts, generalisations and principles, resulting in prediction and control of those activities that may have some cause-effect relationship.

Some of the definitions of research in literature are given below which can help you to understand proper meaning and concept of research.

According to

1) D. Slesinger and M. Stephenson in the Encyclopaedia of Social Science defines research as, “the manipulation of generalising to extend, connect or verify knowledge…” Manipulation incorporates experimentation adopted for the purpose of arriving at generalisation.

2) Kerlinger (1973) defines research as a “systematic, controlled, empirical and critical investigation of hypothetical propositions about the presumed relationship about various phenomena.”

3) Burns (1994) also defines research as ‘a systematic investigation to find answers to a problem’.

4) The Advanced Learner's Dictionary of Current English lays down the meaning of Research as, " A Careful Investigation or inquiry especially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge".

5) Redman and Mory define Research as " a Systematised effort to gain new knowledge".

6) Clifford Woody - Research comprises

a)  defining and redefining problems, 

b) formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions; 

c) collecting, organising and evaluating data; 

d) making deductions and reach conclusions; and 

e) at last carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis.

Thus, the term research refers to the systematic method consisting of enunciating the problem, formulating a hypothesis, collecting the facts or data, analysing the facts and reaching certain conclusions either in the form of solution (s) towards the concerned problem or in certain generalisations for some theoretical formulation.