1.2 Key concepts, ideas, attributes, approaches, and techniques of research

Now, you understand that research is a way of thinking.  And to qualify it as research, it needs to have six characteristics as follows: 

You need only to look around and you will see phenomena that will arouse your curiosity. For example, why are some students unable to understand the concept of artificial intelligence? Why are the enrolment of female students are higher than male students at some universities? These are questions which beg for answers. By asking relevant questions we create an inquisitive environment which is the prerequisite for research. Research arises from an observed phenomenon puzzling the researcher.  

One does not discover the truth or explanations about a phenomenon without serious and meticulous planning. Research is not looking up something in the hope of coming across the solution to your problem. Rather it entails a definite plan, direction and design. 

Successful research begins with a clear and simple statement of the problem. The statement of the problem should be stated precisely and concisely, so that the researcher is sure of what he or she is seeking to discover. 

Divide the main problem into appropriate sub-problems, all of which, when resolved, will result in the solution of the main research problem. 

Having stated the problem and the related sub-problems, each of the sub-problems is then each viewed through logical constructs called hypotheses. What does a hypothesis mean?  

Simply defined, a hypothesis is a logical supposition, a reasonable guess or an educated conjecture which may give direction to solve the problem. 

Having defined the problem, the sub-problems and hypothesis, the next step is to collect whatever facts pertinent to the problem. Organise the data collected into a form that is potentially meaningful.