Abstract
In answer to the question what is research?' various definitions may be given with reasonable confidence, these referencing many different themes and schemes as well as common assumptions. Given the large amount of material accessible to the notionally non-confluent realms of academia (obscure/elitist agendas-not useful for society in general), business (research for commercial purposes) and entertainment (research for mass-media utility) in this the Information Age, it is perhaps not surprising that the process or methodology of research is more in need of evaluation and (re?) re-definition than in times past. The role of the human agent in the academic practice of cogent and coherent knowledge-generation must be well understood by the protagonist if they are to attempt veracious research worthy of constructive peer review and of being recognized as a valid contributor to the sum of human sagacity and intellectual capacity. Although a completely thoroughgoing analysis and commentary on the problems of self-referencing phenomenology/consciousness-perceptive categorisation (the concept and actuality of pure' or academic/unbiased information gathering being fallacious) is without the scope of this paper, a survey of definitions, models and practical encounters will lead to a clearer understanding of the issues involved in conducting research and will allow the Author to outline his own imperfect theory of what research involves (I think it a safe assumption, if unromantic aim, that any research project or definition thereof is likely to be contingent on some level.)
1. Introduction
1.1 Definitions
Dictionary.com defines research as being:
A: Scholarly or scientific investigation or inquiry.
B: Close, careful study.
C: To study something thoroughly so as to present in a detailed, accurate manner.
D: To search again, to examine anew.
E: Diligent inquiry or examination in seeking facts or principles; laborious or continued search... [continues]
In answer to the question what is research?' various definitions may be given with reasonable confidence, these referencing many different themes and schemes as well as common assumptions. Given the large amount of material accessible to the notionally non-confluent realms of academia (obscure/elitist agendas-not useful for society in general), business (research for commercial purposes) and entertainment (research for mass-media utility) in this the Information Age, it is perhaps not surprising that the process or methodology of research is more in need of evaluation and (re?) re-definition than in times past. The role of the human agent in the academic practice of cogent and coherent knowledge-generation must be well understood by the protagonist if they are to attempt veracious research worthy of constructive peer review and of being recognized as a valid contributor to the sum of human sagacity and intellectual capacity. Although a completely thoroughgoing analysis and commentary on the problems of self-referencing phenomenology/consciousness-perceptive categorisation (the concept and actuality of pure' or academic/unbiased information gathering being fallacious) is without the scope of this paper, a survey of definitions, models and practical encounters will lead to a clearer understanding of the issues involved in conducting research and will allow the Author to outline his own imperfect theory of what research involves (I think it a safe assumption, if unromantic aim, that any research project or definition thereof is likely to be contingent on some level.)
1. Introduction
1.1 Definitions
Dictionary.com defines research as being:
A: Scholarly or scientific investigation or inquiry.
B: Close, careful study.
C: To study something thoroughly so as to present in a detailed, accurate manner.
D: To search again, to examine anew.
E: Diligent inquiry or examination in seeking facts or principles; laborious or continued search... [continues]
Cite This Essay
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"What Is Research." StudyMode.com. 01, 2006. Accessed 01, 2006. http://www.studymode.com/essays/Research-76705.html.
