Research - Why is it Important?

Explain the importance of research to a new research student.
Give reasons why research is important and outline the problems of doing research today.

Broadly, the are 4 important reasons to carry out research:

1. Research adds knowledge to educational issues

• It closes gaps of knowledge
  
• It also expands knowledge
• It adds one's voice to knowledge
  

2. Research improves practices

• Educators generate new ideas
• Educators gain deeper insights on teaching methods
• Educators also gain deeper insights and understanding of their students

3. Research informs policy debates

• Research helps policy makers to make sound and informed decisions
• It offers weights to different perspectives

4. It helps students to develop a set of Research skills, which comprises of

• Organisational skills
• Analytical skills
• Presentation skills
• Writing skills

Some problems:

1. Contradiction or vague findings
   
2. Questionaable Data
3. Unclear statement of the intent of the study
4. Lack of full disclosure of data collected
   

Outline typical research processes and detail the skills needed for research.
Draw a model that clearly outlines the research spiral and explain the importance of each step.

The typical research processes
1. Define a Research Problem

• Specify the problem
• Justify
• Suggest the need to study
  

2. Review Literatures

• Locate Literature/ Resources
  
• Selecting resources
• Summarising resources
  

3. Specify the purpose

• Identify the purpose statement
• Narrow down the purpose & therefore the research questions

4. Collect data

• Selecting individuals to study
• Obtain permissions
• Gather information
  

5. Analyse and interpret the data

• Break down the data
• Represent the data
• Explain the data
  

6. Evaluate the data and write the Report

• Decide on audiences
• Structure the Report
• Write the report sensitively
  

Skills needed as a Researcher

• Curiosity to solve 'puzzle' - to look at issues with an inquiry mind and think beyond the existing/ known boundary & depth
  
• Attention span - the patience to go through the literature and revisit and re-search, as well as the time needed during data collection
• Library skills - the use of resources - to search, to summarise and to write
• Writing and Editing skills to write in context with the relevant audience in mind