Research needs to be assessed on the basis of its methodology, originality and relevance. However, it may be noted that even the very original and highly relevant research becomes very bad if the methodology followed is quite wrong. Therefore, good research is identified on the basis of the soundness of the methodology followed in the research process.
Objectivity is the hallmark of science and research. Researchers need to be highly objective in defining the problem as well as in designing the methodology.
Let good researchers comment more on these and other aspects of research so that we all will be benefited maximum.
Good research is the search that has a new idea is written in simple language and discuss the rest of the ideas clearly.
What is Good Research?
Besides originality, relevance & methodology, think good research also include the following attributes:
- scientific quality (see link below for further information),
- research based on empirical evidence,
- new theory contribution,
- new knowledge contribution etc.
http://www.guidelines.kaowarsom.be/en/annex_4-2_scientific_quality
A good research resolves a problem which does not have any solution before. A good research is a new perspective which gives a new original viewpoint about a matter.
Dear Dr Han Ping Fung thank you for the useful link; Dr Mariano Ruiz Espego, thank you very much for the worthy comments
True! Research is an original search! It is purposeful search too! Good research may not always contribute to new theory; sometimes a good research may lead to the development of a hypothesis for some original questions for which no information is so far available
Knowledge is believable truth. All truth are not believed (may be because the truth remain unknown or because the evidences are insufficient). Similarly all beliefs are not true because of false or illusive evidence! A good research explain the truth in crystal clear terms with sufficient reasonable evidences so that the knowledge created is quite sustainable
Good research is the search that has a new idea is written in simple language and discuss the rest of the ideas clearly.
What is good research?
I think, a good research depends on the assessors following their own criteria, as it is presented by the previous colleagues. The question may be more measureable with specific criteria, such as the academic, practical, methodological, or the theoretical criteria. BTW, the question may have also be the good one, if its purpose is for exploring the phenomena of a good research.
I agree with the insightful views of the colleagues. In addition, good research is recognizable from a noticeable number of researchers.
Regards
Dear colleague
Steps to Good Research
1-Define and articulate a research question .
2- Identify possible sources of information .
3- Reevaluate the research question based on the nature and extent of information
4- Select the most appropriate investigative methods (surveys, interviews, experiments) and research tools (periodical indexes, databases, websites).
5-Plan the research project.
6-Retrieve information using a variety of methods (draw on a repertoire of skills).
7-Refine the search strategy as necessary.
8- Write and organize useful notes and keep track of sources.
9 - Evaluate sources using appropriate criteria.
10- Synthesize, analyze and integrate information sources and prior knowledge.
11- Revise hypothesis as necessary.
12-Use information effectively for a specific purpose.
13-Understand such issues as plagiarism, ownership of information (implications of
to some extent), and costs of information.
14- Cite properly and give credit for sources of ideas.
Good luck
A good research provides empirical evidence and information that can be applied in problem solving. It leads to the resolution of unanswered questions and may also reveal hidden patterns or questions that need clarification
Dear colleagues thank you all for good comments.
Although definitions and criteria for good research are very many in the methodology texts, often the quality is assessed also on whether the research is trendy, contextual and has immediate applications or not!
What do you say on these?
All research is different but the following factors are common to all good pieces of research.
1.There is a clear statement of research aims, which defines the research question.
2.There is an information sheet for participants, which sets out clearly what the research is about, what it will involve and consent is obtained in writing on a consent form prior to research beginning.
3.The methodology is appropriate to the research question. So, if the research is into people’s perceptions, a more qualitative, unstructured interview may be appropriate. If the research aims to identify the scale of a problem or need, a more quantitative, randomised, statistical sample survey may be more appropriate. Good research can often use a combination of methodologies, which complement one another.
6.The research should be carried out in an unbiased fashion. As far as possible the researcher should not influence the results of the research in any way. If this is likely, it needs to be addressed explicitly and systematically.
7. From the beginning, the research should have appropriate and sufficient resources in terms of people, time, transport, money etc. allocated to it.
8.The people conducting the research should be trained in research and research methods and this training should provide:
9.Those involved in designing, conducting, analysing and supervising the research should have a full understanding of the subject area.
10. In some instances, it helps if the researcher has experience of working in the area. However, this can also be a negative factor, as sometimes research benefits from the fresh eyes and ears of an outsider, which may lead to less bias.
11. If applicable, the information generated from the research will inform the policy-making process.
12. All research should be ethical and not harmful in any way to the participants.
Let us understand first what is research? Doing something which is not known so far, adding new knowledge and if possible some new applications coming from the research.Then what is a good research? A research which can further be used and giving a lot many problems and applications then people by large say it is a good research. In fact every research is good but people do not know as it is not further used. The moment the research becomes useful, people like it and becomes good.
For example, in mathematics Haar functions were developed in 1905 but were not studied more. In 1989 Daubechies gave the theory of orthogonal wavelets. and she found that Haar functions form wavelets and suddenly Haar functions became popular.
In social science, it fact finding, adding new knowledge to the existing one
Hello,
In my opinion, its results are reliable, have practical applicability and utility for the intended purposes.
I like this question. I think you have already raised the point Joseph. I'd like to emphasize more that, in my opinion, good research is the research which have practical contributions. I am aware that some research topic are more conceptual but my vision of research is a lift for a social change
With Best Regards
and Happy New Year to all the community
Francesca
Thank you all for the positive comments, critical views and the links provided, quite useful to all researchers
I have to repeat RC Mittal's point, though. You cannot equate "good research" with the research being immediately applied. Applications may require other research in associated fields to be conducted, and may not come to fruition for many decades. There are many examples.
Other posts have explained well what good research should consist of - objectivity, originality, internal consistency. But there are practical problems to contend with too. Like it or not, research frequently (usually even?) has goals beyond just the research itself. It will often be a degree requirement, or publication requirement to achieve tenure. So while it should be understood that research will frequently reach a dead end, and that such a result has value too, how do we deal with such dead ends? For those involved, those with their own professional goals, what a huge waste of time this might have been!
To me, this is the problem. Ideally, disproving one's original hypothesis will not be seen as failure. But in reality, hmmmm, how many people will honestly accept such result as satisfactory?
Good research entails grappling with dissonances and discrepancies arising from inconsistent views. While good research certainly defies simple conceptualization, it is this process of constant reflection, negotiation, and interpretation that renders the research process fluid and dynamic. I find that good research constantly pushes against the norm, and consistently tests the parameters that define good research.
There are different definitions of what "good research" means to me [it may mean something else to you].
a. Research results that set the foundation for future research by others.
b. Apply modern methodologies to data sets from different disciplines, with the main goal to spread such advanced methodologies to many disciplines.
c. Develop advanced theoretical results in your specific research area.
d. Obtain scientific breakthroughs.
There are many ways to identify what good research is about.
Yes, it is interesting to note that good research is assessed on the basis of different criteria. However, it is easy to understand that a research cannot become good without methodological perfection
Beyond indispensable scientific background, good research and valuable results require: 1) capacity to understand previously existing knowledge in the scientific area and topic; 2) Creativity and a free and critical spirit; 3) perseverance and tons of brainwork.
Dear António. You are correct.
Yes, knowledge intelligence and creativity.
I should add Honesty, as the landmark of good research. But the most difficult thing to obtain is associating honesty with creativity and the wish to obtain results...
Nevertheless, these results only become credible, when they are obtained with honesty, resilience and, of course, that great amount of work that you propose. The easiest quickest steps forward are worse less if followed through devious lines.
Dear H. K. Hisham,
Yes, good new methodology without idea is a veritable cries of Science;
Of course honesty is inevitable to do research. If a body of 'knowledge' cooked up without honesty, it cannot qualify to be called science; it will be pseudoscience
Dear All
A good research should be clear in its structure and methodology also useful to follow the principles of good research:
All research is different but the following factors are common to all good pieces of research involving social care service users, their families and carers and staff working in this area.
• There is a clear statement of research aims, which defines the research question.
• There is an information sheet for participants, which sets out clearly what the research is about, what it will involve and consent is obtained in writing on a consent form prior to research beginning.
• The methodology is appropriate to the research question. So, if the research is into people’s perceptions, a more qualitative, unstructured interview may be appropriate. If the research aims to identify the scale of a problem or need, a more quantitative, randomized, statistical sample survey may be more appropriate. Good research can often use a combination of methodologies, which complement one another.
• The research should be carried out in an unbiased fashion. As far as possible the researcher should not influence the results of the research in any way. If this is likely, it needs to be addressed explicitly and systematically.
• From the beginning, the research should have appropriate and sufficient resources in terms of people, time, transport, money etc. allocated to it.
• The people conducting the research should be trained in research and research methods and this training should provide:
Ø Knowledge around appropriate information gathering techniques,
Ø An understanding of research issues,
Ø An understanding of the research area,
Ø An understanding of the issues around dealing with vulnerable social care clients and housing clients, especially regarding risk, privacy and sensitivity and the possible need for support.
· Those involved in designing, conducting, analyzing and supervising the research should have a full understanding of the subject area.
· In some instances, it helps if the researcher has experience of working in the area. However, this can also be a negative factor, as sometimes research benefits from the fresh eyes and ears of an outsider, which may lead to less bias.
· If applicable, the information generated from the research will inform the policy-making process.
· All research should be ethical and not harmful in any way to the participants.
www.richmond.gov.uk/research_proposal_guide.pdf
Best Regards,
www.richmond.gov.uk/research_proposal_guide.pdf
A good research is a research which repeatable and has a role in solving any of the social, economic and environmental problems facing the human generation.
Of all the human investments, research is perhaps the major human investment for the future.
Characteristics of good research are taught in all universities.
But a good amount of best researches carried out even in the best universities, at least a certain amount of those carried out by even the best researchers, become waste!
Sometimes, the best research output of today later become the cause of the worst catastrophe of tomorrow.
One of the example for such an outcome is the discovery of CFCs, which chemists praised as the 'triumph of chemistry' is still remaining in the stratosphere as the worst human impact on the earth.
Don't we look more deep into the characteristics of good research?
To be simple a good research should be always be focused on the subjects/problems that related to society. And the outcome should show solutions to the problems.
It must solve a scientific problem and another indicator or in other words, is getting high number of citations.
Emad
To me, Good research is research whose goals are aimed towards solving societal problems. Any research that is aimed at poisoning minds, spoiling the environment, and destroying humanity is bad
Good research have a new idea and written in clear language.
The concept such as good or bad research does not intended unnecessarily to the research because the discovery or something find new is based on sound citations with appropriate acknowledgement to the original author and 100% plagiarism free (Zero Tolerance percentage) using any worldwide accepted methods for citing the documents such (example here is APA citation style). The research report should be in simple language and most importantly, have available in open access mode to the large group so that other researchers confine the ideas that you have discovered. It is not hurriedly complete, your full satisfaction towards while doing is important and have beneficial to mankind.
should be new from earlier one
should be refinement from past and current experiments
should be clear, good and easy to understand
Research should add something to the existing knowledge. It may add new theory, edit or disprove the existing facts.
As a research hypothesis is falsifiable, outcome of a research may be positive or negative, but still it is a good research.
"You have two years and one mouth, so we can listen twice as much as we speak"
In research it would be better to say perceive carefully, conceptualize properly and express fully.
Good research is done by good researchers.
A good researcher is open minded,slow to believe and is willing to collect evidence completely to conceptualize properly.
True perception is a difficult task and right conceptualization a highly skillful job.
Speaking out what is perceived or conceptualized is highly significant in science.
Speaking out has the purpose of inviting criticism. Seminars, open forums like the 'Research Gate' discussion space are meant for that!
Criticism is the food for creativity. A student of science not only loves criticism but invite it always! Only by expressing some way one's thoughts, one receives criticism properly!
So there is no need to keep silent in research; but speak out the extent to which one is capable
GOOD RESEARCH applies high ethical standards, documents all limitations, analyses and explains data adequately, presents all findings unambiguously and justifies all conclusions by sufficient evidence.
To me, good research defines, describes, and demonstrates the relevancy of ideas, concepts, and theories in domains of knowledge.
A good research addresses a problem and solves it. It is clearly defined and executed. If the result is not positive one reports it so. It is continued until the observed matches the expected.
Obianuju P. Umeji
Good research appropriately probes, resolves or identifies other layers of the problems, assists in mitigating or clarifying the problems more clearly, communicates and assist in creating knowledge.
For me good research is not only excellent scientific new results, good research needs also an interdisciplinary group of young and old coworkers who estimate each other. A motivating personal climate between all members of the research team is often a key to success for good research.
Peter
Researchers should begin by identifying a broader subject of interest that lends itself to investigation. For example, a researcher may be interested in childhood obesity.
- The next step is to do preliminary research on the general topic to find out what research has already been done and what literature already exists. How much research has been done on childhood obesity?
- Then begin to narrow the topic by asking open-ended "how" and "why" questions. For example, a researcher may want to consider the factors that are contributing to childhood obesity or the success rate of intervention programs. Create a list of potential questions for consideration and choose one that interests you and provides an opportunity for exploration.
- Finally, evaluate the question by using the following list of guidelines:
- Is the research question one that is of interest to the researcher and potentially to others? Is it a new issue or problem that needs to be solved or is it attempting to shed light on previously researched topic.
- Is the research question researchable? Consider the available time frame and the required resources. Is the methodology to conduct the research feasible?
- Is the research question measureable and will the process produce data that can be supported or contradicted?
Good Research should add something to the body of the knowledge
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