THE RESEARCH PAPER AS A FORM OF EXPLORATION

 Introduction: 

The book 'Frascati Manual' defines the word Research as -

 "creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of knowledge"  

 (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development )

It involves the collection, organization and analysis of evidence to increase understanding of a topic, characterized by a particular attentiveness to controlling sources of bias and error. These activities are characterized by accounting and controlling for biases. A research project may be an expansion of past work in the field. To test the validity of instruments, procedures, or experiments, research may replicate elements of prior projects or the project as a whole.

The primary purposes of basic research (as opposed to applied research) are documentation, discovery, interpretation, and the research and development (R&D) of methods and systems for the advancement of human knowledge. Approaches to research depend on epistemologies, which vary considerably both within and between humanities and sciences. There are several forms of research: scientific, humanities, artistic, economic, social, business, marketing, practitioner research, life, technological, etc. The scientific study of research practices is known as meta-research. (“Research”) in simple words, Research involves delving deeper into subjects that are already under scrutiny; that's why it's termed "re-search."

1.1. THE RESEARCH PAPER AS A FORM OF EXPLORATION:

Personal Essays and Research Papers:

During our school career we have probably written many personal essays that presented our thoughts, feelings, and opinions and that did not refer to any other source of information or ideas. Some assignments, however, require us to go beyond our personal knowledge. We undertake research when we wish to explore an idea, probe an issue, solve a problem, or make an argument in relation to what others have written. We then seek out and use materials beyond our personal resources. The outcome ofsuch an inquiry appears in the research paper. The term research paper describes a presentation of student research that may be in a printed, an electronic, or a multimedia format.

Types of Research: 

Primary research is the study of a subject through firsthand investigation, such as analyzing a literary or historical text, a film, or a performance; conducting a surveyor interview; or carrying out a laboratory experiment. Primary sources include statistical data, historical documents, and works of literature or art. Secondary research is the examination of studies that other researchers have made of a subject. Examples of secondary sources are articles and books about political issues, historical events, scientific debates, or literary works.

Using Secondary Research:

Most academic papers depend at least partly on secondary research. No matter what your subject of study, learning to identify and analyze the work of other researchers will playa major role in your development as a student. The sorts of activities that constitute a research paper-discovering, assessing, and assimilating others' research and then articulating your own ideas clearly and persuasively-are at the center of the educational experience.

In simple terms, when you write academic papers for school, you often use information that other people have already researched. This is called secondary research. It's an important skill to be able to find and understand what other researchers have discovered because it plays a big part in your growth as a student.

Imagine writing a school paper is like going on an adventure. You start by exploring what others have found out about your topic. This is like discovering the treasure others have left behind. You then look at this information, think about it, and put it together in a way that makes sense. This is similar to putting together puzzle pieces.

The things you do when writing a paper—like finding, evaluating, and understanding other people's research, and then expressing your own thoughts clearly—are right at the heart of what you learn in school. It's like a journey of discovery and sharing what you've learned with others.

Combining Research and Original Ideas:

Research increases your knowledge and understanding of a subject. Sometimes research will confirm your ideas and opinions; sometimes it will challenge and modify them. But almost always it will help to shape your thinking. Unless your instructor specifically directs you otherwise, your research paper should not merely review publications and extract a series of quotations from them. Rather, you should look for sources that provide new information, helpfully survey the various positions already taken on a specific subject, lend authority to your viewpoint, expand or nuance your ideas, and offer methods or modes of thought you can apply to new data or subjects, or that furnish negative examples against which you wish to argue. As you use and scrupulously acknowledge sources, however, always remember that the main purpose of doing research is not to summarize the work of others but to assimilate and to build on it and to arrive at your own understanding of the subject.

Different Approaches to Research and Writing:

The given Handbook doesn't discuss more about the different approaches to research and writing, as it describes: " The truth is that different paths can and do lead to successful research papers. Some researchers may pursue a more or less standard sequence of steps, but others may find themselves working less sequentially. In addition, certain projects lend themselves to a standard approach, whereas others may call for different strategies. Keeping in mind that researchers and projects differ, this book discusses activities that nearly all writers of research papers perform, such as selecting a suitable topic, conducting research, compiling a working bibliography, taking notes, outlining, and preparing the paper." (MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers )

But as discussed by  University of Waterloo some approaches to research and writing are the following:

The descriptive study-

This approach attempts to identify the characteristics of a problem through description. Because the subject cannot be described in all its detail, careful selection of facts must occur. Facts should be gathered according to pre-determined criteria and for the purpose of demonstrating relationships of interest. To the extent that the descriptive study of a particular problem provides one with a generalized understanding of a phenomenon that, in turn, can be employed to understand other specific problems, this approach is useful and acceptable. An example of this approach would be a description of an unusual planning program in operation in one Municipality, with the objective being to illustrate how the program differs from similar programs found in other Municipalities.

The explanatory study-

This approach attempts to find the answer to an enigmatic question. For example, why has an urban area acquired its particular shape, or why has a city council refrained from allowing mobile home parks in the community? The explanatory studies are designed to investigate origin - cause-effect relationships. The typical study includes the collection of empirical data for the formulation of hypotheses or less pretentious hunches and the subsequent test of these hypotheses by any one of a number of ways available to the researcher. The remedial study

The remedial study seeks to formulate plans to correct or improve undesirable social, economic, political, and environmental conditions. These undesirable conditions, causes and processes associated with them are analyzed. Plans, strategies, and policies are formulated to remedy the undesirable conditions. Implementation methods may be suggested. A remedial study may be directed to the solution of pollution of a lake ringed by cottages or to pedestrian and vehicular conflicts in the central business district.

The methodological study-

The methodological study attempts to devise, test or improve new research methods in Planning. The study may deal with the development of a specific technique for the discipline or may take a technique developed by another discipline and attempt to apply it to a Planning context. Possible examples of this approach are innumerable; for example, the application of new forecasting techniques developed in Management Science to a planning problem, or an attempt to develop methods for breaking down cross census information into smaller temporal or areal units.

The historical study-

If it is designed to facilitate a deeper understanding of historical processes and is not merely an attempt to fill gaps in our factual knowledge, the historical approach can be very useful. Studies detailing the transference of the modern town Planning movement from Europe to North America or the evolution of company towns in Ontario would be appropriate uses of the historical approach. 

 (“Types of research approaches | School of Planning”)

Exploration and Discovery:

In simple terms, when you're working on a research paper, it's crucial to remember that the technical aspects of writing should not overshadow the thrill of exploring a question that genuinely interests you and your reader. This means that your curiosity and passion for a particular topic should be the driving force behind your research and writing. it's important to hold on to the excitement of discovering and testing new ideas. This excitement is one of the most rewarding parts of doing research and learning more about a subject. So, as you work on your paper, let your curiosity lead the way, and enjoy the process of uncovering and sharing new insights.

Research Papers and Professional Writing:

Learning how 10 write a research paper, then, can help prepare you for assignments in your professional career. It is difficult to think of any profession that would not require you to consult sources of information about a specific subject, to combine this information with your ideas, and to present your thoughts, findings, and conclusions effectively.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the journey of crafting a research paper involves more than just the mechanics of writing; it is a dynamic exploration driven by intellectual curiosity and the pursuit of understanding. The Frascati Manual's definition of research as "creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of knowledge" sets the tone for the importance of original exploration. Whether conducting primary or secondary research, the goal is to contribute to the advancement of human knowledge, reflecting the essence of academic growth. As students engage in this process, they not only develop valuable skills but also experience the thrill of discovery, a fundamental aspect of research and scholarship that extends into their professional careers.

                    

                                                                 Works Cited

MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. Modern Language Association of America, 2009.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Frascati Manual 2015: Guidelines for Collecting and Reporting Data on Research and Experimental Development. OECD, 2015.

“Research.” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research.

“Types of research approaches | School of Planning.” University of Waterloo, https://uwaterloo.ca/planning/current-undergraduate-students/student-program-page/senior-courses-interest/types-research-approaches. Accessed 22 January 2024.