Characteristics of Research

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Characteristics of a Good Research:
Whatever may be the types of research works and studies, they all meet on the common characteristics of scientific method. Thus, one could expect the following criteria or characteristics in a good research.
1.      The purpose of research should be clearly defined and common concepts are used.
2.      The research procedure used should explicitly be described to permit other researchers to repeat the research for further advancement and to keep the continuity of what has already been attained.
3.      The procedural design of research should be carefully planned to estimate their effects upon finding or to yield results that are objective as possible.
4.      The analysis of data should be sufficiency adequate to reveal its significance and the methods of analysis used should be appropriate.
5.      The reliability and validity of the data should be checked carefully.
6.      Conclusions should be confined, justified by the data should be checked carefully.
7.      Conclusions should be confined, justified by the data of the research and be limited to those for which it can provide with an adequate basis.
8.      Greater confidence in research is warranted if the researcher is experienced, has a good reputation in research and is a person of integrity.
In spite of above necessities, a good research should possess the following four qualities.
1.      Systematic :
The term systematic implies that the research is structured with specific steps to be taken in a specified sequence in accordance with well defined set of rules. In other words, the research contents of different topics conducted at different point of time and places d not vary considerably. However, this assumption is not valid even within a particular region practically. For example, the research work performed by two academicians in a common topic at two different places may not necessarily appear same in terms of format and contents. Systematic characteristic of the research does not rule out creative thinking but it certainly does reject the use of guessing and intuition in arriving at conclusions.
2.      Logical :
The research is guided by the rules of logical reasoning. The logical process of induction and deductions are great value in carrying out research. Induction is the process of reasoning from a part to the whole. Inductive method begins with a collection and study of facts and draws conclusion through a posteriori reasoning while deductive or abstract method presupposes certain conclusions and applies them to facts through a prior reasoning. In other words, in deduction, we deduce generalization from universal to particular but in induction we arrive at universal generalizations form particular facts. Further, in deduction the conclusion only seeks to unfold what is in the premises. It does not go beyond premises i.e. the conclusion is never more general than the premised while in induction the conclusion goes beyond the premises.

In fact, logical reasoning makes a research more meaningful in context of decision making. Also the deductive method gives us conclusions, which are certain, but the conclusions of inductive method are only probable and not always certain.  If we say that all men are mortal and Hari is a man, therefore Hari is mortal. This is an example of deductive method and it is certain. But if we say that some educated girls have expensive habits, therefore all educated girls have expensive habits. It is an example of inductive method and is not true at all.
3.      Empirical :
An empirical characteristic implies that research is related basically to one or more aspects of a real situation and deals with concrete data that provides a basis for external validity to research results. An empirical characteristic assumes that the research result of the similar topic conducted at different times within a particular or different places are consistent and predictable.  However, in practice, it is not possible to get consistent results form a series of research studies conducted within a common topic and place even at the same time. This assumption is valid only for experimental research but not for social and business research areas.
4.      Replicable :

This characteristic allows research results to be verified by repeating the study and thereby building a sound basis for decision.  In other words, replicating the research activity in the same topic form common sample (or universe) results consistent agreement at least between some studies. This characteristics stress to the repeated work in the common topic for valid and consistent result. 

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