What research is

Research Is………………

An enquiry

It answers questions
The questions are genuine ones that are answerable.
It involves many different activities including
Seeking the views and perspectives of people.
Observing and recording events from your own perspective.
Reflecting on your experiences
Comparing and contrasting
Analysing

It may involve looking at what other people know in the form of books, articles and written accounts.

It is systematic

It has some underpinning plan and purpose
It involves a sequence of data collection, analysis, reporting validating and concluding.
Others can see the process that the research undertook and come to judgements about Whether this may have influenced the results.
There is a logic to the systrematic process which is coherent


It creates knowledge

Such knowledge may be about practice,
It may be in the form of lessons that might be drawn.
The knowledge is accessible to others
It is often in the form of generalisations that may apply in different situations




It is ethical and morally sound.

In the interests of pursuing knowledge the enquiry is carried out honestly and reports are truthful.
Permissions are sought from participants for their involvement and for the report
Care is taken to negotiate confidentiality and rules for anonymity are explicit
Care is taken not to harm individuals either deliberately or inadvertantly


Terrell 2009