What is the purpose of research?

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Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 30 Sep 2004 13:04 PDT

Your question is too general to be easily answered. The purpose of
research is related to the field of study. What sort of research do
you have in mind?

Howdy cirrus2458-ga,

The Google search facility has a nice function called "define" which comes
in handy for such questions as yours.  To use it, go to the Google search
engine web site and do a search such as:
://www.google.com/

define:research

://www.google.com/search?q=define:research

"Definitions of research on the Web:"

Here are some excerpts from the results of the above query.  The first ones
are from the Princeton University web site.
http://www.cogsci.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/webwn2.0?stage=1&word=research

"systematic investigation to establish facts
...
a search for knowledge ...
...
attempt to find out in a systematically and scientific manner ..."

From the Clemson University web site.
http://www.clemson.edu/research/orcSite/orcIRB_DefsR.htm

"A systematic investigation, including research development, testing and
evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge."

From the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale web site.
http://www.siu.edu/orda/general/glossary.html

"focused, systematic study and investigation undertaken to increase knowledge
and understanding of a subject."

From the Rush University Medical Center web site.
http://www.rush.edu/research/patients-definition.html

"A systematic investigation (i.e., the gathering and analysis of information)
designed to develop or contribute to general knowledge."

To summarize the above, the purpose of research to obtain knowledge, facts
and understanding about the desired subject, or to increase one's knowledge,
facts and understanding about the subject at hand, in order to develop or
add to specific or general knowledge.

Indeed, as the commenter kerplode-ga points out, I had to research (obtain
knowledge, facts and understanding) the purpose of research.  Hopefully,
this answer has obtained the goal (or purpose) of research and has added to
your general or specific understanding of the purpose of research.

If you need any clarification, feel free to ask.


Search strategy:

Used the Google search engine function of: define

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

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Request for Answer Clarification by cirrus2458-ga on 01 Oct 2004 07:07 PDT

I'm taking a class called research methodologies. The question is-
What is the purpose of research and -How does a literature review
assist the researcher?

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Clarification of Answer by denco-ga on 01 Oct 2004 11:27 PDT

Howdy cirrus2458-ga,

First, we probably should find out what is meant by a literature review.  From
a University of California, Santa Cruz, University Library web page.
http://library.ucsc.edu/ref/howto/literaturereview.html

"Not to be confused with a book review, a literature review surveys scholarly
articles, books and other sources ... relevant to a particular issue, area of
research, or theory, providing a description, summary, and critical evaluation
of each work. The purpose is to offer an overview of significant literature
published on a topic."

As the purpose of research is to establish facts or obtain knowledge on a
subject, a literature review, by definition, is one of the tools (a research
methodology) that is available to a researcher.  If one were researching, for
instance, the World Wide Web (WWW), that person would survey (read) articles,
books, and probably the net ("other sources") as well.  The researcher would
then summarize and evaluate those sources for relevancy, etc.

The sources probably should not be "Joe's Home Page," as a literature review,
again, by definition, should concentrate on "significant" writings on the
subject in question.

Going through a literature review allows the researcher to gain knowledge on
the subject, thus fulfilling the overall purpose of research.

For future reference, when you are using Google Answers, it would help the
researchers if you would include the "and ..." part of the question when you
initially post it.  This way we can provide an as accurate answer as possible
without the need for clarification.  Thanks!


Search strategy:

Google search on: "literature review"
://www.google.com/search?q=%22literature+review%22

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

To answer questions such as these.

You did ask the purpose. Inquiring minds want to know may be the best
answer. Some people are driven to search for answers to specific
questions. If they can find employment or funds to persue their dreams
they know more happiness than most of us will experience. Other
persons have a broader desire for knowledge and answers. With rare
exceptions society benefits from the advances that result from the
research that is done, as evidenced by few of us presently living in a
cave and hoping we can kill our next meal instead of being eaten by
some preditor.   Neil