Module 1 - What is Research

What is Research

Generally, research is the organized and systematic method of finding answers to questions.  It is systematic because it is a process broken up into clear steps that lead to conclusions. Research is organized because there is a planned structure or method used to conclude.  Research is only successful if we find answers, whether we like these answers or not. Development research is focused on relevant, useful, and important questions. If there are no questions, there can be no research.

If government, business, institutions, labor, organizations, and society, in general, are to function efficiently and effectively, the decisions they make must be based on valid and reliable information and thorough analysis. The search for this information is referred to as the research process. There may be an existing body of evidence (prior research, studies, etc) you can make use of. If there is not, there is a need for research. 

For example, the Department of Health in planning an HIV and AIDS prevention program may have to ask some of the following questions before agreeing on and rolling out the program. The Department of Health may have an existing body of evidence that assists in finding the answers to some of these questions whilst others may require research.

Questions that could be researched are:

• Which are the most vulnerable groups and areas of high transmission? Here the Department of Health may rely on the annual ante-natal survey (existing body of evidence) to answer these questions.

• What are the most effective ways of changing sexual behavior amongst the different vulnerable groups? Here little or no information may be available. The Department of Health would have to find answers to these questions through research.

Once a decision is made that research is required, the Department of Health must decide on the research methods and process that will be used to answer the questions.

Nature of Psychological Research

The importance and relevance of psychological research are well-recognized almost in every sphere of human life. Notable progress has been reported in the field of organizational behavior, applied aspects of human beings, medical sciences, and education, through the application of psychological research findings. Empirical and theoretical research in psychology is taking place in various fields, such as learning, motivation, perception, concept learning memory, and so on. In the quest for psychological facts, laws, and theories, psychologists have found research studies very helpful in gauging human and animal behavior. 

Psychological research attempts to understand why people and animals behave as they do. Psychologists usually define behavior as overt activities, such as eating, recalling stories, and so on. What about covert psychological processes, such as thinking and feeling? Although thoughts and feelings are not directly observable, they influence such aspects of behavior as reaction time and blood pressure, which are often used to measure these covert processes. Practical gains of psychological research are many, yet include discoveries such as improved methods of treating psychologically disordered people, better designs of vehicles to make them easier and safe to use, and new ways of enhancing the performance and happiness of workers. Before we examine what researchers have found in the major areas of psychology, we need to identify the ways psychologists gather data about behavior and mental processes. You may be a daily consumer of mass media reports on research findings. Some of these are valuable, some are worthless, and others are confusing and misleading. 

You will become a wiser consumer of research-based conclusions as you develop your understanding of how psychological research is conducted and why the scientific view of knowledge dictates such methods. Let us turn now to how psychologists know what they know. Recall that psychology is the scientific study of the behavior and mental functioning of individuals. It is scientific because it uses the principles and practices of the scientific method. 

Learning Objectives

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Explain how the scientific method is used to develop new knowledge

• Describe why it is important to follow a research plan

The Scientific Method consists of observing the world around you and creating a hypothesis about relationships in the world. A hypothesis is an informed and educated prediction or explanation about something. Part of the research process involves testing the hypothesis, and then examining the results of these tests as they relate to both the hypothesis and the world around you. When a researcher forms a hypothesis, this acts like a map through the research study. It tells the researcher which factors are important to study and how they might be related to each other or caused by a manipulation that the researcher introduces (e.g. a program, treatment, or change in the environment). With this map, the researcher can interpret the information he/she collects and can make sound conclusions about the results.

Research can be done with human beings, animals, plants, other organisms, and inorganic matter. When research is done with human beings and animals, it must follow specific rules about the treatment of humans and animals that have been created by the U.S. Federal Government. This ensures that humans and animals are treated with dignity and respect and that the research causes minimal harm.

No matter what topic is being studied, the value of the research depends on how well it is designed and done. Therefore, one of the most important considerations in doing good research is to follow the design or plan that is developed by an experienced researcher who is called the Principal Investigator (PI). The PI is in charge of all aspects of the research and creates what is called a protocol (the research plan) that all people doing the research must follow. By doing so, the PI and the public can be sure that the results of the research are real and useful to other scientists.

Module 1: Discussion Questions

1. How is a hypothesis like a road map?

2. Who is ultimately responsible for the design and conduct of a research study?

3. How does following the research protocol contribute to informing public health practices?