However what is Research? What is Education? What is the relationship between Research and Education and Development? And why should educators in all fields of human endeavor be interested in research?Why has many educators lost interest in research? And what can be done? How can one determine the areas of research?
Answers to the above raised
questions dramatized this research essay. This research examines positive and possible ways of becoming a successful researcher irrespective of ones academic
status in education or the private sector. So in conclusion, this research
essay will proffer definite solutions of changing the attitude of academics and
non-academics towards research and education.
Additionally, this research essay has discussed among other things:
research definition, methodology, types of research, benefits of researching,
research and information technology research as part of education, and guiding
principles of research.
Key
Words:
Research,
Education, Information, Technology, Communication.
INTRODUCTION
The key philosophy of
architecture or any positive scientific development is comfort for mankind.
That been the case, it becomes imperative that architects or architectural
educators and researchers alike have the responsibility to propose developments
which are environmental friendly, especially now that human invention and
innovations has alter the natural world. For instance, the world climate has
changed due to green house effect and this has led to ozone depletion thereby
exposing the planet to harsh and hazardous environmental pollution. How can architects meet this challenge of
climate change especially in the 21st century of human history? It
is a challenge because educators and researchers must proffer solution that are
sustainable. Research and education are the fundamental fulcrum to discover
innovation or invention if you like, in science and technology. Research is the
only tool to employ in discovering new building materials that can withstand
the present era of climate change.
Research is the fundamental
fulcrum through which architectural educators and academics can meet the need
of the present information age of technology. One time president of America
As a matter of fact, educators
and researchers should beginning to employ and investigate those scientific
arenas which can lead mankind to invent neutralizers for nuclear bombs piled up
by so called advanced nations in the name of research. Research is a rewarding undertaking because
it is related to evolving new ideas, new knowledge, new concepts, new
technology or the application of existing ones to solve many problems
especially in the natural environment. In order to be a successful researcher,
one must carry an investigation or research to a conclusion taking into
consideration acceptable standards, methods and present the empirical facts in
a professional manner. But how can one achieve success? A sound understanding
and knowledge of research is inevitable.
This research essay is written to fill that need as we shall see in
subsequent facts presented in this investigation.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The
method employed in this research essay are as follows:
a.
Examination of documented information ranging from
periodicals, books and stored information from the Internet - ICT
b.
Practical experience and observation with respect to
application and usefulness of information science and technology. This observation spanned across the natural
environment in order to bring to focus areas that need urgent attention in
terms of research.
PHILOSOPHY
AND PURPOSE OF THIS RESEARCH ESSAY
Every researched work must have a
bearing or direction or concept and purpose.
The philosophy of this research essay revolves around a research process
beyond the books. That is the time is overdue for researchers to focus on
applied research of creativity with an ideology of sustainable
development. Suffice to say, the purpose
of this research essay is to create awareness of the importance of research
studies more than ever before and the need to integrate information science and
technology into the learning process.
Furthermore, the researcher has
expanded the scope of this research in order to accommodate the need of those
coming behind, so that they can have easy access to the fundamentals and
rudiments of what it takes to write a research project.
CONCEPT
OF RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
Research and Education can be
defined as an entity of a systematic management of knowledge, facts and
imparting of such through investigation and discovery of facts. And these facts
in turn produce positive results for the development of humanity. Wikipedia the
Free Encyclopedia define Research “Research is often described as an active
diligent and systematic process of inquiry aim at discovering, interpreting and
revising facts. This intellectual investigation produces a greater
understanding of events behaviour or theories and makes practical application
through laws and theories. The term research is also used to describe a
collection of information about a particular subject and is usually associated
with science and scientific method”. In
the light of the above, research can be said to be an academic or professional
tool for the enlightenment or educating mankind. But how did research develop?
DEVELOPMENT
AND TYPES OF RESEARCH
There are two types of research,
fundamental research or basic research and applied research, which developed
out of human curiosity to reshape human thinking and habitat.
Pure Research – The primary objective of pure
research is the advancement of knowledge and relationship of variables
theoretically. Pure research is usually exploratory and basically driven by a
researcher’s curiosity, interest or hunch to find out facts about a subject, or
idea Udontre, (2005). Usually pure research does not necessarily aim at any
practical application as a conclusion. However it may open the way for further
research and that is why it is known as fundamental research.
Applied Research – The concept of applied research
is invention and innovation. Major aim of applied research is to solve a
specific practical problem, not advancement of theoretical knowle dge. Although
it can be exploratory but it is more of descriptive characteristics. In as much
as basic research form the foundation of applied research, applied research
focus on solution of our day-to-day problems Undontre (2005). Areas that are
usually covered by applied research are: agriculture, computer science,
engineering, information and environmental science. These areas mentioned above
are open to invention and innovation that can lead to scientific development
and technological advancement.
CLASSIFICATION
OF RESEARCH
Research
is classified into the following parts:
Action research – Action research is a research carried
out to solve a particular problem e.g. flooding, shelter, energy etc.
Descriptive research – This type of study
investigates and determines or described events and interprets such events in
the light of current occurrences. This type of research do not maneuver or
manipulate the variables. It looks at the existing variables as they are e.g.
information, facts etc and subject the facts collected to explain a
situation. In this type of research, it
is more appropriate to use or apply quantitative analysis that is, carrying out
deeper investigation using larger samples. For instance, effect of aptitude
texts compared to JAMB results on admission of candidates.
Analytical research – This is known as explanatory
research. Usually this research involves Qualitative analysis of the causes or
reasons behind events. The last two
types are Historical and Experimental research, which deal with history of a study and a
research carried out basically on experiments.
METHODS
OF CONDUCTING A RESEARCH
What methods can one use or
employ for investigation when carrying out a research? Consider the following
points enumerated below Wikipedia (2006).
1.
Examination of documented information
2.
Study of existing cases as related to the subject
3.
Observation and practical experience
4.
Investigative experiments or testing of facts
5.
Interview both oral and written or use of
questionnaire.
6.
Use of maps, illustrations and photographs
7.
Mathematical models or shapes
8.
Physical traces analysis
9.
Use of statistical data and analysis
10.
Content or textual analysis
11.
Use of statistical survey
12.
Semiotics
PROCESS
OF WRITING A RESEARCH
Research process is a series of
logical steps, structured patterns, which a researcher undertakes when writing
a research. Udontre (2005) and this process is usually a series of activities
in sequential order or arrangement. Once a researcher follows this order a
successful research will be achieved. Although the order may vary from
researcher to researcher but a successful or standard research should reflect
seventy percent (70%) of a coherent order.
Consider the standard order
enumerated below;
1.
Formation or the identification of the area or
problem to be researched.
2.
Hypothesis and Assumptions.
3.
Examination of documented information as related to the
problem under consideration ranging from periodicals to books.
4.
Philosophy of the research-developing a conceptual
or ideological framework or definition of the subject matter under
consideration.
5.
Establishing the research variables or elements.
6.
Operational definition or explanation of
terminologies
7.
Selection of the research design or format to be
followed
8.
Determining the population. For instance you are
testing the quality of bottled water. You must select the number or quantity of
bottled water you want to test in order to achieve conclusive evidence. In like
manner, if you are designing a housing estate, how many persons are you
designing for?
9.
Sample or sample selection
10.
Determining the feasibility of such a study
11.
Data collection or gathering of information, data
etc.
12.
Analysis of data collected to achieve results. For
instance if one is to determining the type of dwellings suitable for a Nigerian
family, carry out a survey and draw the graphical representation of the
findings.
13.
Interpretation of results or findings of the
established facts
14.
Recommendations
15.
Conclusion
GUIDE
TO IDENTIFYING A PROBLEM
How can a problem been
identified. It could be by observation of an issue affecting the environment
and people’s life. It could be a need to alleviate human suffering or to solve
the problem of urban poverty. For
instance, today all vehicles depend on gasoline or diesel. Is it not possible to have a substitute?
Can’t solar energy or Biogas serve as a substitute? Furthermore, many cannot
afford to build without using cement. But there are buildings which have stood
for ages without the application of the cement during the construction process.
So what material do the builders apply in the time past? For instance, storm
water menace or rain water flooding. How can it be solved? So, one can now see how a problem can be
identified.
Another important aspect I want
to discuss is the popular topic, “Literature Review”. Educators need to re-orientate learners
thinking in this area. It is not a
matter of copying and reframing somebody’s work verbatim or plagiarism. Most writers used to do that rather it is a
process of studying what others have done in that area of research and applying
the applicables in ones research. So in
that case, such applicable ideas reflects at appropriate stages or sections of
the research being conducted, to evolve, invent or create a better concept or
solution. Furthermore, examination of
documents facts helps the investigator to ascertain the extent of work done in
that area of study, to expose gaps noticed in previous works, improve on them
and to have facts to support such a study, under consideration. One outstanding fact in research work is
that, it must have a characteristic of been REPRODUCE ABLE, that is the research
so written or investigated should be applicable elsewhere or have a general
acceptability within the limits of human error.
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