Here are some definitions of research from various authors, highlighting different aspects of the process:
Focus on Discovery and Exploration:
* "Research is a systematic investigation into a specific topic or problem to discover new knowledge or to verify existing knowledge." - Merriam-Webster Dictionary
* "Research is a diligent and systematic inquiry or investigation into a subject in order to discover and examine new facts and to reach new conclusions." - Oxford English Dictionary
* "Research is a careful and detailed study of a particular subject, especially in order to discover and examine new facts or reach new conclusions." - Cambridge Dictionary
Emphasis on Systematic Approach and Methods:
* "Research is a systematic process of inquiry that uses a variety of methods to gather and analyze data in order to answer questions, solve problems, and contribute to the body of knowledge." - Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.).
* "Research is a systematic and objective process of gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data to answer questions or test hypotheses. It involves a rigorous and scientific approach to ensure the validity and reliability of the findings." - Leedy, P. D., & Ormrod, J. E. (2013). Practical research: Planning and design (10th ed.).
* "Research is the process of systematically and rigorously investigating a topic or problem to discover and interpret new knowledge. It involves identifying a research question, formulating hypotheses, collecting data, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions." - Trochim, W. M. K. (2006). Research methods knowledge base.
Highlighting the Contribution to Knowledge:
* "Research is a creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of humans, culture and society, and the use of this knowledge to devise new applications." - UNESCO
* "Research is the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions." - American Heritage Dictionary
* "Research is a systematic inquiry that uses disciplined methods to collect and analyze data and to interpret the findings to increase our understanding of a phenomenon." - Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2017). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (10th ed.).
Emphasizing the Importance of Application:
* "Research is a systematic process of finding answers to questions through the use of carefully designed studies and experiments." - National Institute of Health
* "Research is the process of gathering information about a topic or issue in order to answer a question or solve a problem. It can be used to improve products, processes, and services." - The University of Chicago
* "Research is the systematic and rigorous inquiry into a topic or problem in order to generate new knowledge or to validate existing knowledge. It is a process that is used to solve problems, improve processes, and make better decisions." - The University of California, Berkeley
These are just a few examples of the many ways in which research has been defined. Ultimately, the best definition of research will depend on the specific context and purpose of the research being conducted.