There are arguments among my fellow researchers, that research is supposed to be inventing new things. As the other said it goes back to terminology of re-search, where we are questioning and inquiring existing theories. It is said it can develop more from existing theory that we deepening by research.
I need your input on this, what do you think, is there any reference on it?
I would say it is an orientation that guides the research. Some may prefer to always question and complement existing theories, while others prefer to create new theories. Both ways can be considered valid, while being effective.
A good reference on this subject:
http://www.amazon.com/Research-Design-Qualitative-Quantitative-Approaches/dp/1452226105/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400813413&sr=8-1&keywords=research+methods
Research may involve finding, analyzing impact, interpreting, re-interpreting, discovering, co-relating, analyzing causality and/or consequences, validating, among others.
Scientific research is performing a methodical study in order to gain new knowledge in a specific domain. It could be to prove a hypothesis or answer a specific research question about a phenomenon that we are interested to examine. It could be extending the knowledge in a specific direction or opening a new arena altogether depending upon the problem in question.
Research philosophy isn't and shouldn't be restricted to inventing something. As you said, it deals with questioning and enquiring existing theory. However, that also extends to drawing in new connections between existing theories to provide newer dimensions of understanding, and perhaps contribute toward the generation of an idea or product that probably didn't exist in that form prior to this (probably those keen on the idea of invention would seem more convinced by this). Almost nothing in this world is absolutely and entirely 'new'. But each each new development is an improvisation and refinement of an idea or design that was brought to its current form and probably carried on from another analogous idea that existed before it. It is the spirit of research that defines its value-- passionate investigation and the desire for contribution and novelty.
Usually the philosophy of research is sum up answering the question: When you do research, are you “discovering things” or “invent” them. Ig you are discovering then this is realism. If you invent, then you are an anti-realist. However I believe that this dichotomy can be avoided, if we accept that in research we have two types of things: Constant and variable. Since “constant things” seem to all the same, then we have the case of discovering. Ig we have variable things, the the perception is rather subjective and so we are in the invent case. Various philosophies are connected with realism and anti-realism. So they are applied to philosophy of research accordingly .
Research is a continuous exploration, passed on from person to people running generations till a meaning full closure happens. This progressive search unites HUMANKIND.
Thank You Prof. Kamal, simple answer but hit the essence of the question.
Prof Debi, you've summarize it very well thank you.
Thank you for the reference Prof. Beluco, great article to read on and share with others.
Dear Prof. Adel, i like the world of positivism for reality and or interpretivism as multiplicity of realities.
Prof Costa thank you for another unique point of view as you see research as constant and variable, new view point i can share.
Thank you Miss Monica, Research surely more extended then inventing new thing also questioning and inquiring existing theory.
Ms. Vandana its very wise of Buddha definition on research as exploration might come from requestion tradition and your teacher tells
No doubt, research is name of exploring things and curiosity of doing something new!
I my opinion research is also connected with curiosity of doing something for the betterment and welfare of human beings. Research is to explore ways and improved technologies that could benefit humans!!
Research paradigm and philosophy is an important part of research methodology in order to collect data in effective and appropriate manner. According to Johnson and Christensen (2005), research paradigm is a perspective that is based on the set of shared assumptions, values, concepts and practices. In other world, paradigm can be defined as a function of how researcher thinks about the development of knowledge. Research paradigm is a combination of two ideas that are related to the nature of world and the function of researcher. It helps researcher to conduct the study in an effective manner.
Research Paradigm and PhilosophyResearch paradigm includes the research methods and research philosophies. This combination in research helps researcher to develop the understanding and knowledge about the topic of research. In research paradigm, there are various factors that affect the research to implement a method in an effective way such as time constraints, budget constraints, etc. Use of appropriate research paradigm and philosophies helps researcher to eliminate these factors from the research. Research paradigm has three different terminologies such as positivism, interpretivism and realism research philosophies (Mcnabb 2007). These research philosophies are as follows:
Positivism Philosophy: Positivism philosophy is based upon the highly structured methodology to enable generalization and quantifiable observations and evaluate the result with the help of statistical methods. Positivism philosophy is commonly used in natural science and it is a critical and objective base method. It is an approach that includes the various philosophy of natural science such as philosophy of unchanging, universal law and the view of everything that occurs in the nature (Sundars 2003).
With the help of positivism philosophy, researcher can collect all the facts and figures that are associated with the research issue through general sources. According to Sundars (2003), in this research philosophy the role of researcher is very important for the study. He stated that in positivism philosophy the researcher plays role of an objective analyst to evaluate the collected data and produces an appropriate result in order to achieve research aims and objectives.
- See more at: http://www.howtodo.dissertationhelpservice.com/research-paradigm-and-philosophy#sthash.CaE6mxot.dpuf
Dear All,
Research is willingly looking for something which was not known before, or was not sufficiently known. Research needs in most cases sophisticated theoretical and methodical knowledge and facilities and often takes a long time. However, sometimes research can be implemented quickly using elementary instruments but very clear and unusual thinking.
Research is a knowledge producing process whose principal conditions are knowledge, ideas, reflecting, observation and investigation.
Research these days is an activity which needs the same thing(s ) as Montecuccoli said war needs as well.
Dear Mehdi you ellaborate it very well enrich it in at most detail of my question,thank you.
Dear Prof.Bozsik, surely sir research also needs same things.
Dear Aamir, surely curiosity is a base of research.
As it said to found something is great but to maintain and develop more of the invention is better.
Dear Dony, I agree with Medhi Hedayatpoor. The scope of philosophy research is the method, i.e. Is to clarify the assumptions of researchers, in order to help them to improve the work. It is quite diferent the role of research philosophy in natural science, formal science, or social science, even moral reasoning. In each dominion, philosophy reveals the notion of rationality. In moral reasoning the main role of philosophy is conceptual. That is to say, philosophy explain the debate about the meaning of moral values.
In the history of epistemology, the trend has been to move towards a more adaptive and active view. For example, the constructivist epistemology in social science (creativity, innovation, project management). "To the constructivist, concepts, models, theories, and so on are viable if they prove adequate in the contexts in which they were created" (Von Glasersfeld, 1995).
Today, many writers, educators and researchers appear to have come to an agreement about how this constructivist epistemology should affect educational practice and learning….
research philosophy : "not special presentation of individual problems of science and its philosophical underpinnings and philosophical conclusions".
For example : Gifford Lectures (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gifford_Lectures)
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Microbiology
- Scientific Research