Functions of research

From CEOpedia | Management online

There are several functions of research:

  1. exploring new facts and truths (about world, technology, culture, history, etc.) in order to gain a better understanding of the world around us
  2. learning the relationships that occur between the various phenomena (economic, political, social, market, internal) in order to develop strategies for improvement
  3. creating theoretical knowledge (then used for innovation and creation of new products) in order to capitalize on opportunities and stay ahead of competition
  4. identification of market opportunities and potential risks in order to identify areas of future growth and avoid potential pitfalls
  5. solving problems and undertaking challenges for development of company in order to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

Research plays an important role in helping people understand the world around them, by exploring new facts and truths, learning the relationships between various phenomena, creating theoretical knowledge, identifying market opportunities and potential risks, and solving problems and undertaking challenges for development of a company.

Function 1. Exploring new facts and truths

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In the context of exploring new facts and truths about the world, technology, culture, history, etc., research allows us to deepen our understanding of these subjects and how they relate to one another. This can include gathering and analyzing data, conducting experiments, and reviewing existing literature on the topic. The ultimate goal of research in this context is to increase our knowledge and understanding of the world around us, which can inform decision-making, policy-making, and other important areas.

Function 2. Learning the relationships

Research can be used to study the relationships between various phenomena, such as economic, political, social, market, and internal factors, in order to understand how they interact and influence one another. By understanding these relationships, researchers can develop strategies for improvement.

For example, in the context of economic research, a researcher might study the relationship between economic growth and employment, in order to identify strategies for improving employment opportunities in a region. Similarly, in the context of market research, a researcher might study the relationship between consumer behavior and product design, in order to develop strategies for improving the design and marketability of a product.

By gaining a deeper understanding of the relationships between various phenomena, researchers can identify patterns, trends, and connections that can inform decision-making, policy-making and other important areas. This can be beneficial for both private and public sectors, by helping them to make more informed decisions and improve their performance.

Function 3. Creating theoretical knowledge

Research can be used to create theoretical knowledge, which can then be used for innovation and the creation of new products. This function of research is essential for companies and organizations that want to capitalize on opportunities and stay ahead of the competition. By creating new knowledge and understanding the underlying principles of a given field, researchers can help organizations to develop new products, services and technologies that can give them a competitive edge.

For example, in the context of technology research, a researcher might study the principles of a new type of battery technology in order to create a theoretical understanding of how it works. This knowledge can then be used by a company to develop a new type of battery with improved performance, which can give them a competitive edge in the marketplace. Similarly, in the context of materials research, a researcher might study the properties of new types of materials and how they can be used in products, this knowledge can be used by manufacturers to create new and improved products with better performance and durability.

In summary, research can be used to create theoretical knowledge, which can be used for innovation and the creation of new products. This can help organizations to capitalize on opportunities and stay ahead of the competition, by offering new and improved products and services.

Function 4. Identification of opportunities and threats

Research can be used to identify market opportunities and potential risks, which can help organizations to identify areas of future growth and avoid potential pitfalls. This function of research is crucial for companies and organizations that want to stay competitive in a rapidly changing marketplace.

For example, market research can be used to identify new and emerging trends in consumer behavior, which can help companies to identify new opportunities for growth. By studying consumer demographics, preferences, and buying habits, researchers can identify areas of unmet demand and help companies to develop new products or services that meet those needs. Similarly, market research can be used to identify potential risks, such as changes in consumer preferences or new competitors entering the market. By identifying these risks, companies can take steps to mitigate them and protect their business.

Research can be used to identify market opportunities and potential risks, which can help organizations to identify areas of future growth and avoid potential pitfalls. This function of research is crucial for companies and organizations that want to stay competitive in a rapidly changing marketplace.

Function 5. Solving problems and undertaking challenges

Research can be used to solve problems and undertake challenges for the development of a company, in order to increase efficiency and effectiveness. This function of research is important for organizations that want to improve their operations, reduce costs, and increase productivity.

For example, in the context of product development, research can be used to identify and solve problems related to product design, manufacturing, and performance. By studying the underlying principles and technologies of a product, researchers can help companies to develop new and improved products that are more efficient, effective, and cost-effective. Similarly, in the context of operations research, researchers can be used to identify and solve problems related to business processes and operations. By studying the flow of materials and information within an organization, researchers can help companies to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and other issues that can be improved.

In summary, research can be used to solve problems and undertake challenges for the development of a company, in order to increase efficiency and effectiveness. This function of research is important for organizations that want to improve their operations, reduce costs, and increase productivity.

Objectives of research

Research will therefore serve the following objectives:

  • Description - to provide baseline data or simply a picture of how things are, in order to have a starting point for further exploration.
  • Explanation (analytical) - to understand why things are the way they are, what factors explain the way things are, in order to uncover underlying causes.
  • Prediction - to predict how systems will change under alternative scenarios (modelling), in order to anticipate future developments.
  • Prescription and planning (decision-making) - prescription and planning relating to changes in existing systems, in order to identify possible solutions.
  • Monitoring and evaluation - monitoring and evaluation of the effects of changes during and after they have been made, in order to measure the impact of the changes. Investigations may be made to compare results in practice with predictions, or to monitor the effects of a policy, management technique.

Research objectives are essential for investigating the underlying causes of a situation, predicting future developments, identifying possible solutions, and measuring the impact of changes.

Important questions regarding research process

Below listed questions are important in the context of the research process because they help to ensure that the research is conducted in an organized and systematic way, and that the results of the research are used effectively to solve problems and improve outcomes.

  • "Who identifies problems?" is important because it helps to ensure that the research is focused on a specific and relevant problem that needs to be solved. Without a clearly defined problem, it can be difficult to conduct effective research and to determine the appropriate course of action.
  • "Who diagnoses causes?" is important because it helps to understand the underlying reasons for the problem, which can inform the development of potential solutions. Without a clear understanding of the causes of a problem, it can be difficult to develop effective solutions.
  • "Who identifies potential solutions?" is important because it helps to identify different options for addressing the problem, which can be evaluated and compared to determine the most appropriate course of action.
  • "Who decides on action?" is important because it helps to ensure that the most appropriate solution is selected and implemented in a timely and effective manner.
  • "Who monitors and evaluates action and outcomes?" is important because it helps to ensure that the solution is having the desired effect and that any necessary adjustments are made to improve the outcome. This step is crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of the solution, and to identify if any further action is needed.

These questions help to ensure that the research process is conducted in a systematic and organized way, that the results of the research are used effectively to solve problems and improve outcomes, and that the actions taken are based on sound reasoning and evidence.

The selection of research topics and the research methods used are heavily influenced by observations, knowledge, and concerns. Factors such as personal experience and the availability of data and information can shape the choice of research problems and the questions addressed in the research. It is important to critically evaluate the results of the research, taking into account the focus and presentation, and to consider how they align with the philosophy, objectives, and approaches of the researchers. Applied research topics and methods are closely linked to the researcher's perspective and goals[1].

The role of researcher

A researcher has many roles, including gathering and analyzing data, interpreting results, and conveying findings.

  • Gathering data: A researcher must collect data relevant to the study, often using surveys, interviews, or experiments.
  • Analyzing data: Once the data is gathered, the researcher must analyze it to draw conclusions. This often involves using descriptive or inferential statistics.
  • Interpreting results: The researcher must make sense of the results of the analysis and draw conclusions from the data.
  • Conveying findings: The researcher must then communicate the results to others, either in the form of a written report, a presentation, or both. This is often done through peer-reviewed publications.

Overall, a researcher must be able to gather, analyze, interpret, and communicate data in order to effectively conduct research.

Multilevel research in management

Most management problems involve multilevel phenomena, yet most management research uses a single level of analysis. A micro or a macro lens alone yields incomplete understanding at either level. Multilevel research addresses the levels of theory, measurement, and analysis required to fully examine research questions. Multilevel research on bribery, national identity, team boundary spanning, professional role identity, organizational citizenship, interorganizational exchanges, and divestitures. To enrich the impact of future management research, we recommend

  • applying multilevel designs to existing models
  • considering bottom-up effects,
  • collaborating across disciplines on multidisciplinary topics, and
  • addressing major real-world problems via multilevel approaches.

Qualitative research

Qualitative research studies that are based on observational methods are also extremely well suited for making discoveries because they allow us to see the world as it is seen by its inhabitants and to observe how they interact in their environment. Through observation, we can discover the effects of physical space on interactions, how props are used as well as the flow or temporal sequences of interactions, and appreciate the subtleties of tones of voice and nonverbal expressions.Qualitative analysts to explain why their work matters.Stating who, what, where, when, why, and how isnecessary but not sufficient. It is also necessary to explain why the discovery matters, how pervasive the phenomenon might be, and why it is important to address it.In other words, we expect authors to answer the so-called "so what?" question.

Qualitative researchers have an obligation to make a convincing empirical case that the patterns, typologies, processes, and other regularities that they report characterize the context under study, and that their findings and interpretations are warranted by their data. Although we expect authors to be convincing about the rigor of their methods and data gathering, they use qualitative data analysis in service of describing and diagnosing phenomena[2].


Functions of research — recommended articles
Relevant information — Impact of information on decision-making — Complex problem solving — Knowledge and information — Strategic foresight — Single case study — Decision point — Innovative research — Case study research

References

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Chesbrough H. (2004)
  2. ↑ Easterby-Smith M.,Thorpe R.,Jackson P.R. (2012)

Author: Iwona Maślak

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