Purpose of Research: Understanding Its Role and Importance in Knowledge Building

Key takeaways

The purpose of research depends on whether you’re conducting basic or applied research, with several variations within each category.

• The purpose of basic research is to increase knowledge or understanding of a topic, often without any specific or immediate practical applications.

• The purpose of applied research is to find solutions to practical problems using original research. 

• You can use research to identify trends and assess risks, and the results can help you make more informed decisions and increase your confidence in your outcomes.

Explore the various types and characteristics of research, as well as methods for conducting research, and learn more about its purpose and its role in critical thinking. Then, to amplify your critical thinking, consider mastering prompt engineering patterns, techniques, and approaches in the Prompt Engineering Specialization to effectively leverage generative artificial intelligence (genAI) for your research. In as little as four weeks, you’ll have the opportunity to learn how to use prompts to write and outline more quickly, extract key information from documents, and brainstorm new ways to solve problems.

What is the purpose of research?

The purpose of research varies based on whether it is classified as basic or applied, and each category contains multiple distinctions. For many people, their research purpose includes discovering new knowledge, solving problems, understanding complex phenomena, or improving society by expanding understanding in a specific field.

What is the purpose of basic research? 

The purpose of basic research, also called fundamental research, is to increase knowledge or understanding of a topic, often without any specific or immediate practical applications. Specific types of basic research include:

• Descriptive research: Describe the characteristics of a population or phenomenon using “what” questions. 

• Exploratory research: Gain a deeper understanding of an often under-studied or new situation or phenomenon.

• Explanatory research: Investigate the “why” and “how” behind a phenomenon, aiming to understand cause-and-effect relationships and observable patterns.

What is the purpose of applied research? 

You can use applied research to find solutions to practical problems using original research. Applied research transforms theoretical knowledge into solutions that deliver real benefits to individuals, organizations, and society. Specific types of applied research include:

• Evaluation research: Assess whether the outcomes of a specific program, policy, or other initiative met its goals.

• Research and development: Use existing research and practical experience to develop new products, services, or processes.

• Action research: Solve specific and immediate problems within a particular setting by involving those affected in problem identification and solution testing.

When systematically employed, research can establish facts, test theories, facilitate the development of new ideas, and identify new applications for existing knowledge, leading to improvements in everyday life. 

Characteristics of good research

High-quality research uses systematic, objective methods to produce reliable, valid evidence that you can test and confirm. It’s important to remember that, depending on your goals and the type of research you’re conducting or evaluating, the characteristics that distinguish it as “high-quality” may vary.

To help you separate misinformation from actual knowledge and differentiate quality research from poorly supported claims, you can evaluate the following aspects of your own research or that of others by asking yourself: 

• Does the research employ systematic and empirical methods?

• Is the research design appropriate for the research question and the goals of the research?

• Is the data accessible, and are the procedures transparent so that you can replicate or reproduce the study?

• Was the data analysis process rigorous and adequate enough to support the conclusions? 

• Are the findings valid and reliable? In other words, can you apply them to the real world? 

• Has the research been peer-reviewed, and does it confirm previous work or advance understanding in a specific area?

• Was the research conducted ethically and with integrity?

The role of critical thinking in conducting research

Research is an inquiry-based process that relies on critical thinking and thoughtful reflection to evaluate and, if warranted, challenge existing research, formulate research questions worth asking, and determine how best to study a topic. The research process is iterative, requiring constant reflection and revision as you evaluate your ideas, seek new information, and think critically about how to refine or reconsider your research question, topic, or approach.

Additionally, your ability to think critically about research can help you identify important relationships and approach a research problem from multiple angles. Conducting research requires you to not only collect data and information but to think critically and question the source of the information, including how it was gathered or created, and to identify potential bias, issues with validity, or unsubstantiated claims, among other issues that might make the information less reliable.

Methods of research

Research methods typically fall under one of three broad categories: quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. You can think of research methods as the tools or strategies used to conduct research. The research method you choose will likely determine the most appropriate methods for collecting, analyzing, and organizing your research data. Examine your goals, the scope of your project, and your target audience’s expectations to help you choose the most appropriate research method.

Quantitative research 

Quantitative research is typically used to confirm or test a theory or hypothesis, identify patterns, make predictions, and generalize findings to larger populations through math and statistical analysis. It typically focuses on answering questions such as how many, how much, or how often, with findings often expressed numerically using tables and graphs. 

Purpose: To confirm or test a theory or hypothesis

Data collection methods: Surveys, questionnaires, variable-controlled experiments

Data analysis methods: Statistical analysis using applications such as Excel or R

Qualitative research

You might choose qualitative research if you want to explore and understand the hows and whys behind complex issues. Qualitative research leverages non-numerical data, such as text, audio, or video, to gain insights into people’s experiences, opinions, and behaviors, uncovering the meanings individuals attach to their world. 

Purpose: To understand complex concepts, thoughts, and experiences

Data collection methods: Interviews, focus groups, document analysis, observations 

Data analysis methods: Thematic analysis, discourse analysis, or qualitative content analysis

Mixed-methods research

As you might expect, mixed-methods research strategically combines quantitative (numerical) and qualitative (non-numerical) data within a single study. By collecting, analyzing, and integrating both types of data, you can provide both breadth (numbers) and depth (meaning and context), often gaining a more complete understanding of a complex research problem. Integration is key to successful mixed-methods research. Linking data at the appropriate stage in the research process can provide you with a broader perspective and a more comprehensive view of the research.

Purpose: To answer complex, multifaceted questions that neither qualitative nor quantitative research can answer alone, or to validate findings from one method of research with another.

Data collection methods: A combination of qualitative and quantitative, integrating the two when necessary

Data analysis methods: A combination of qualitative and quantitative, analyzed separately, but integrated when necessary

How research informs decision-making in various fields

Research can help you make more informed decisions by providing objective data, uncovering hidden factors, validating your strategies, and reducing guesswork. This can lead to more successful, less biased choices based on facts rather than assumptions. By using research to inform your decisions, you can identify trends and assess risks, with the results helping to increase your confidence in your outcomes. 

Consider the following real-world examples of how various industries can benefit from using research to inform decision-making.

• Law enforcement: Investigative research enhances understanding of criminal events, informs investigative decisions and future practices, and adds a scientific layer to investigations, which may lend credibility to investigative findings. 

• Health care: Randomized controlled trials test the effectiveness of medical interventions by providing data that shows whether the intervention had a statistically significant effect on participants. 

• Policy and government: Research helps protect public health and safety, identifies emerging issues, provides data on program effectiveness, and advises on funding and policy decisions.

• Business: Market research can reveal potential barriers to entering a new market, prompting strategies such as partnerships or product diversification to mitigate risk. 

• Computing: Research in the mathematical, scientific, and technological foundations advances quantum computing, AI software, and new semiconductor technologies, all of which are essential to helping America maintain global competitiveness. 

What is the importance of research for personal, organizational, and societal growth?

Research is important because it drives knowledge creation, innovation, and problem-solving, which support societal progress across areas such as technology and health care. Conducting research can help you develop the critical thinking and analytical skills necessary to test theories, discover facts, and guide public policy, ultimately increasing your understanding of the world around you and improving the quality of your life and others'.

Additionally, research supports organizational growth by providing data for informed decision-making, uncovering market gaps, reducing risk, allowing for sustainable expansion, and fostering innovation through research and development. Research allows business planning to move from guesswork to strategic planning.  

How to become a researcher

Researchers work in various fields and industries, including agriculture, political science, psychology, forensic science, and epidemiology. Education requirements for entry-level researchers range from an associate degree to a doctorate degree, depending on the occupation. With 71 percent of researchers holding a bachelor’s degree, earning one might be a great place to start if you want to become a researcher [1].

In addition to a degree and natural curiosity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and research methods skills, you may also want to consider gaining experience in computer languages such as Python, C++, and R, as well as in data analysis, data collection, and information presentation, all of which are common skills for researchers. Because the opportunities for researchers span such a wide range of industries, a deep understanding of your chosen field, along with research-specific skills, may go a long way in helping you become a researcher. 

Finally, depending on the field you work in, you may be able to find a certificate or certification program geared toward research in your field. For example, if you’re interested in market research, the International Institute for Procurement and Market Research offers several certification options, depending on your experience and interests. The Association of Clinical Research Professionals also offers certification options for those interested in clinical research.

Read more: Research Skills: What They Are and Why You Need Them

Your go-to guide for critical thinking and decision-making

If you’re interested in tips to build your critical thinking skills and make more confident, research-based decisions, subscribe to our YouTube channel. You can also explore these free resources to strengthen your research skills, whatever topic or question you’re investigating:

• Take a quiz: Which Data Analysis Course Should You Take? Find Out in 1 Minute

• Leverage AI: How to Use AI for Research: Practical Tips for Responsible Use

• Hear from an expert: 6 Questions with a Google AI Research Director

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