Research methodology - An Introduction

DEFINITIONS OF WORD ‘RESEARCH’ –

According to different authors and dictionaries:

(Source: http://reprcenotes.blogspot.in/2013/09/definitions-of-research.html  Assessed on 18/04/2017; 14:58)

1.      “Research is a diligent search, studious inquiry, investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery of new facts and findings; or broadly it may relate to any subject of inquiry with regard to collection of information, laws in the light of new facts or evidence”. - John Adams Hafiz & T.A. Khan

2.      “A careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge” – The Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English [1952]

3.      “A systematic effort to gain new knowledge” – Redman and Mory [1923]

4.      “Research comprises defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested solution; collecting, organizing and evaluating data; making deductions and reaching conclusions; and at last carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis”. – Clifford Woody

5.      “The manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for the purpose of generalising to extend, correct or verify knowledge, whether that knowledge aids in construction of theory or in the practice of an art” – D.Slesinger and M.Stephenson

6.      “Deligent and systematic inquiry or investigation in to a subject in order to discover or revise facts, theories and applications” – Webster’s Dictionary

7.      “Research as the manner in which we solve knotty problmes in our attempt to push back the frontiers of human ignorance” – Paul Leedy

8.      “Research is a process (tool) which has utility only to the extent that the class of inquiry employed as the research activity vehicle is capable of adding knowledge, of stimulating progress and of helping society and man relate more efficiently and effectively to the problems that society and man perpetuate and create” – Mc Grath

9.      “Research is a search for facts -  answers to questions and solutions to problems or organized inquiry” – Emory, C.William

10.   “Scientific Research as systematic, controlled, empirical, and critical investigation of hypothetical pro[positions about the presumed relations among phenomena” – Kerlinger

11.   “Research is the systematic process of collecting and analysising information to increase our understanding of phenomenon under study” – Radha Mohan

12.   Research is any organised inquiry designed and carried out to provide information for solving a problem” - Emory, C.William

13.   “Research is the power of suspending judgment, with patience, of mediating with pleasures of assessing with caution, of correcting with readiness and of arranging thought with scrupulous pain” - Francis Bacon.

14.   Research as, "the activity of collecting information in an orderly and systematic fashion". - Francis G, Cornell

15.   “Research is a careful, systematic and objective investigation conducted to obtain valid facts, draw conclusions and established principles regarding an identifiable problem in some field of knowledge”. - Clarke and Clarke

16.   “Research is a systematic and objective analysis and recording of controlled observations that may lead to the development of generalizations, principles, theories and concepts, resulting in prediction for seeing and possibly ultimate control of events”. - John .W. Best

17.   “Research is a careful enquiry or examination in seeking facts or principles, a diligent investigation to ascertain something”. - Clifford woody

18.   “Research is the process of arriving at dependable solution to the problems through the planned and systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of data”. – Mouley

19.   “Research as “the manipulation of generalized to extend, correct or verify knowledge…” – Encyclopaedia of Social Science

20.   “Scientific Research consists of obtaining information through empirical observation that can be used for the systematic development logically related propositions attemting to establish casual relations among variables” – Black and Champion

21.   “Research is a systematic activity directed towards the discovey and development of an organized body of knowledge” – Johan West

22.   “Research is careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge” – Advanced Learners Dictionary

23.   “Any Scholarly investigation in search for thorough facts and for certainties is research” – Spar and Swenson

24.   “A Search made for something, especially with care also, a continued careful enquiry or investigation into a subject, in order to discover facts or principles” – The New Century Dictionary

25.   “Research is an original contribution to the existing stock of knowledge making for its advancement. In short, the research for knowledge through objective and systematic method of finding solution to a problem” – C.R.Kothari

26.   “Research is a systematic activity directed towards investigating problems and result in an invention or discovery of tools for problem solving and decision making. It can be a detailed investigation of existing problems, practice or process” – C.R. Kothari

27.   “Research may be defined as a method of studying problems whose solution are to be directed partly or wholly from facts” – W.S. Monero

28.   “Research is the investigation of the underlying process operative in the lives of persons who are in association” – E.S. Bogadus