WHAT IS RESEARCH?

Research is something we all begin to do naturally almost from the moment we are born and then continue throughout our lives: explore, search... wonder, question... examine, investigate...

When an infant listens to her parents talking, she is researching. When a child asks why is grass green, he is researching. When a hiker compares two different leaves she has picked up, she is researching.

People in all walks of life do research regularly. A nurse reviews new procedures for a particular illness. A mechanic looks up the correct replacement part. A lawyer examines relevant cases. An electrician studies a schematic diagram.

Research involves searching for and gathering information, usually to answer a particular question. Once the information is found (or often in the process of finding information), new questions may come up or the original question may need to be revised. This questioning of given information is analysis or critical thinking. Analyzing information-- continually and carefully challenging assumptions, evaluating claims or arguments, assessing validity and worth-- is a key to successful research. The basic process of research can be thought of as: questioning, finding information, analyzing the information, finding new information, analyzing some more and so on until the information gathered is adequate to solve the given research problem.

It is important to not simply accept new information you find.

The fact that information has been published or produced does not mean it is truthful, authoritative, appropriate or applicable. 'Solid' information is often less readily available than 'junk' information. All information arises from frames of reference and is subject to political influences. To make reading, listening and viewing choices, to advance as a wage-earner, and to develop as a human, each individual must make judgments and choices. Critical thinking is both an attitude and the application of skills by which analytical, integrative judgments and choices are possible... Since the goal of library research is not the mere accumulation of information, but more importantly the evaluation, assimilation, and application of that information, critical thinking is inherent in the research process. (Fink 17-18)

Although everyone does research throughout their lives, most people don't think about how they do that research. Even professional researchers often aren't fully aware of all the steps they go through, the questions they ask themselves and the decisions they make as they focus in on a topic, gather information and then select and organize that information. All of these steps, questions and decisions are what make up the research process. Understanding the elements of this process gives you the skills to be an effective researcher and, hopefully, to enjoy the exploration.

As this course takes you step by step through the research process, we will not only look at the various research tools-- the sources, the databases, the technology-- but we will also emphasize a methodology of how to use those tools to deepen your understanding of the information you uncover. As you proceed through the research process for yourself, try be aware of the actual processes you go through: What helps you narrow in on your topic? How do you judge which sources would be most appropriate or relevant? What procedures are most helpful for finding the best articles on your topic? How do you figure out if your topic is too general or too specific? How do you adjust your research if you find a better argument to support a position? These are the types of questions and decisions that are the most critical in doing quality research.

The focus of this course is on library research--often referred to as bibliographic research. Bibliographic research is any research in which information is gathered from published materials. Traditionally, bibliographic research has included books, magazines, journals, newspapers and various types of specialized documents. In addition to printed materials, however, bibliographic research may also include audio and video recordings, photographs, films and, most recently, computer-based programs and online information. Up until recently, most bibliographic research has been done in libraries. With the advent of the computer, however, more and more bibliographic research can be done wherever a computer and a phone connection (or a wireless modem) are available.

Although this book emphasizes bibliographic research, it is important to be aware of other types and methods of research. In addition to bibliographic research, empirical research and oral research are two other broad categories of research that can be included in a research project.

Empirical Research

Empirical research is any method of collecting information from direct experience, observation or experimentation. This process generally involves finding or creating a specific subject, such as an environment or procedure, and then watching or studying it closely to find particular data about it. An example of empirical research might be to count the number and different types of birds seen at a particular pond at different times of the year. Much empirical research is done in various types of laboratories so that the subject of the research and the specific means of studying it can be controlled in various ways. When the process involves testing a particular hypothesis to discover or prove something, this is typically called experimental research and is probably the most common type of empirical research.

Oral Research

Oral research can include any type of research which involves gathering information directly from talking to people. Interviewing-- asking someone a series of questions on a subject-- is the most common type of oral research. Interviewing an expert about a research question on which you are working can often give you insights and information you could never find in any published source. If you are able to question someone who is an expert on the subject of your research, he or she may not provide you with all of the answers you need, but you will probably get many valuable suggestions for how to focus your research and where to look for additional information.

A more extended interview-type research method is oral history. Oral history research usually involves lengthy interviews or series of interviews on a fairly broad topic-- often reminiscences of peoples' lives. Doing surveys, polls or questionnaires-- asking a group of people a specific set of brief questions-- are additional types of oral research.

A variety of different methods of gathering research are commonly combined in a single research project. Even when a researcher's primary focus involves a laboratory experiment or a survey, for example, some bibliographic research is usually used to find out about other similar experiments or surveys that have been done previously or to find other kinds of background information on the subject being studied. Many research studies of all types often include a bibliographic research section called a "review of the literature", which summarizes previous research related the research topic.

Works Cited

Fink, Deborah. Process and Politics in Library Research: A Model for Course Design. Chicago: American Library Association, 1989.

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These materials may be used for educational purposes if you inform and credit the author and cite the source as: LSCI 105 Online Research. All commercial rights are reserved. Send comments or suggestions to: Eric Brenner at brenner@smcccd.cc.ca.us