Learning to do research is an integral
part of a person's education. Finding reasons why research is important may seem like a no-brainer. But not a few would want to avoid doing
so. The lazy, if not mentallydrained, student could say, "Not
again." And a disinterested academic could just be doing it for promotion
purposes. Yet, for those who like to learn - whether or not they are
members of a learning institution -doing research is not just an
imperative, but a need. What reasons could drive one to appreciate research and
engage in doing it?
Even with the Internet, reading books is
still important to doing research.
1. A Tool for Building Knowledge
Research is required not just for
students and academics, but for all professionals. It is also important for
budding and veteran writers, both offline and online. For those
looking for a job, research is likewise a necessity.
Among professionals and scribes, finding
an interesting topic to discuss and/or to write about should go beyond
personal experience. Determining either what the general public may want
to know about or what researchers want them to realize can
serve as a reason to do research.
The Brain Research Trust acknowledges the importance of research.
Undoubtedly, it is crucial to studying and finding possible cures for
diseases, as well as how to prevent them. Thus, research becomes a
must to ascertain if one’s ideas are supported by previous studies or if
these ideas still need proof to be considered as knowledge
Furthermore, in developing new products
and services, companies invest in research and development (R&D), as these play a critical role
in innovation. R&D also helps secure a vantage point over competitors.
Finding out how to make things happen and what could differentiate them
from similar stuff can raise the company’s market value. Such
improved commercial image can help
boost both its productivity and
profitability
The unemployed could also benefit from
doing research, for it could lead them not just to find potential
employers, but if these are legitimate job offers. Without research, the
gullible, yet hopeful jobseeker may fall prey to unscrupulous headhunters
who could be involved in illegal recruitment and/or human trafficking.
2. Means to Understand Various Issues
Television shows and movies ooze with
research - both on the part of the writer(s) and the actors. Though there
are hosts who rely on their researchers, there are also those who
exert effort to do their own research. This helps them get
information that hired researchers missed, build a good rapport
with the interviewee, and conduct a good interview in the process.
For their part, some film and TV actors
would take time to interview detectives, boxers, scientists, business
people, criminals, and teachers, among others. Others would
even immerse themselves in situations that would make them
understand social and personal issues like living behind bars or in a drug
rehabilitation center. Many would read literature, biographies, or
journals to have a better view or context of the story.
As what Terry Freedman says in "The
Importance of Research for ICT Teachers (2011): "Research can shed light on
issues we didn’t even know existed, and can raise questions we hadn’t
realised even needed asking." Thus, almost all writers of imaginary and
non-fictive tales also do research because doing so helps them create a
good story and/or achieve strong credibility as an academic. The Internet provides people a
convenient way to do research.
3. A Way to Prove Lies and to Support Truths
Ever experienced feeling that your mate
is having an affair behind your back? Some people would overlook that
and say that it's better not to know; others though would take discreet
action, hiring detectives to do the work. What does research have
to do with that situation? A lot.
Doing research to reveal lies or truths
involving personal affairs contributes in either making a
relationship work or in breaking away from a dysfunctional one. For the
monogamous lot, doing research to disprove or prove infidelity is not simply a trust issue, but a right to
find out the truth - unless one's intimate partner has already
admitted being polyamorous even before the relationship started. When s/he dislikes
answering relationship-related questions, including her/his
whereabouts, it is better to see that as a red flag
and take baby steps to save yourself from
what could become a more serious emotional mess later.
Scientists also deal with research to
test the validity and reliability of their claims or those of other
scientists'. Their integrity and competence depend on the quality - and
not just quantity - of their research. Nonetheless, not everything
scientists come up with get accepted or learned by everyone,
especially when factors like religion, state suppression, and access to
resources and social services like education and adequate health programs
either feed the poor majority with lies or deter them from knowing
truths to preserve the status quo.
4. A Seed to Love Reading, Writing, Analyzing, and Sharing Valuable Information
Research entails both reading and
writing. These two literacy
functions help enable computation and comprehension.
Without these skills, it is less likely for anyone to appreciate and get
involved in research. Reading opens the mind to a vast horizon of
knowledge, while writing helps a reader use her/his own perspective and
transform this into a more concrete idea that s/he understands.
Apart from reading and writing,
listening and speaking are also integral in conducting research. Interviews,
attending knowledge-generating events, and casual talks with anyone
certainly aid in formulating research topics. They can also
facilitate the critical thinking process. Listening to experts discuss
the merits of their studies helps the listener to analyze a certain issue
and write about such analysis.
With the vast array of ideas available,
scholars and non-scholars involved in research are able to share
information with a larger audience. Some view this process as
ego-boosting, while others see it as a means to stimulate interest and
encourage further studies about certain issues or situations.
As literacy is integral in improving a
person's social and economic mobility and in increasing awareness,
research then hones necessary basic life skills and makes learning a life-long endeavor
Curiosity may kill not just the cat, but
the human as well. Yet, it is the same curiosity that fuels the mind
to seek for answers. The College Admissions Partners (n.d.) notes how scientific research in
particular "helps students develop critical reasoning skills...helpful
for any field of higher education..." Such search or the
thinking process is food for the brain, allowing creativity and logic to remain
active. It also helps prevent mental illnesses like Alzheimer's.
Indeed, research and doing research
encourage people to explore possibilities, to understand existing
issues, and to disclose truths and fabricated ones. Without research,
technological advancement and other developments could have
remained a fantasy. Reading, writing, observing, analyzing, and interacting
with others facilitate an inquisitive mind's quest for knowledge.
Research serves as an instrument to achieve that goal.
Ways to Improve Research Skills
Are you interested in further developing
your ability to do research? There are several steps to do it.
One of the easiest ways to know more
about research is to read hard copy and electronic books about it. If you do
not have a computer with Internet connection, you can go to the
library, a nearby bookstore, or ask a close friend or relative to lend
you her/his smartphone or laptop so you could look for books or articles
about research.
If you have access to the Internet, you
can watch online tutorial videos on this topic. High school students can
learn from this presentation, for instance:
Research Basics for High School Students by Journal Storage (JSTOR)
For those who intend to be full-fledged
researchers, you might want to attend training-seminars, workshops, and
conferences aimed at deepening your knowledge and honing your skills in
doing research. These events are conducted by various organizations,
particularly universities and "think tank" agencies. Use
search engines to look for these opportunities, as well as for
scholarships that could help you finance your participation in these activities.
You might also consider searching for
reputable researchers in your field of interest, especially if you
plan to pursue postgraduate studies. You could email an academic, a
scientist, or another professional to inquire about their opinion
on your thesis or dissertation topic. Having a research
mentor can help you gain a broader understanding of what research is all
about.
Another way is to watch films and read
different kinds of books, fiction and otherwise. These sources can ignite
your curiosity and drive you to seek more information. You might want to
jot down notes about the topics discussed and/or what you've learned.
You might wonder why this is part of the research process. Watching
movies, reading books, and writing various stuff hone your comprehension
and ability to analyze. These can improve your vocabulary and aid you in
finding your voice as a researcher.
