Research is often described as an active, diligent, and systematic process of inquiry aimed at discovering, interpreting and revising facts.

This intellectual investigation produces a greater understanding of events, behaviors, or theories, and makes practical applications through laws and theories. The term research is also used to describe a collection of information about a particular subject, and is usually associated with science and the scientific method. The word research derives from Middle French (see French language); its literal meaning is 'to investigate thoroughly'. Basic research Basic research (also called fundamental or pure research) has as its primary objective the advancement of knowledge and the theoretical understanding of the relations among variables (see statistics). It is exploratory and often driven by the researchers curiosity, interest, or hunch. It is conducted without any practical end in mind, although it may have unexpected results pointing to practical applications. The terms basic or fundamental indicate that, through theory generation, basic research provides the foundation for further, sometimes applied research. As there is no guarantee of short-term practical gain, researchers often find it difficult to obtain funding for basic research. Research is a subset of invention Examples of questions asked in basic research: Does string theory provide physics with a grand unification theory? Which aspects of genomes explain organismal complexity? Is it possible to prove or disprove Goldbach's conjecture? (i.e. that every even integer greater than 2 can be written as the sum of two (not necessarily distinct) primes)

Applied research Applied research is done to solve specific, practical questions; its primary aim is not to gain knowledge for its own sake. It can be exploratory, but is usually descriptive. It is almost always done on the basis of basic research. Applied research can be carried out by academic or industrial institutions. Often, an academic instituion such as a university will have a specific applied research program funded by an industrial partner interested in that program. Common areas of applied research include electronics, informatics, computer science, process engineering, and drug design. Examples of question asked in applied research: How can Canada's wheat crops be protected from grasshoppers? What is the most efficient and effective vaccine against influenza? How can communication among workers in large companies be improved? How can the Great Lakes be protected against the effects of greenhouse gas? How can a policy on time use increase transit services to low-income neighbourhoods?

There are many instances when the distinction between basic and applied research is not clear. It is not unusual for researchers to present their project in such a light as to 'slot' it into either applied or basic research, depending on the requirements of the funding sources. The question of genetic codes is a good example. Unraveling it for the sake of knowledge alone would be basic research but what, for example, if knowledge of it also has the benefit of making it possible to alter the code so as to make a plant commercially viable? Some say that the difference between basic and applied research lies in the time span between research and reasonably foreseeable practical applications.

Research methods The scope of the research process is to produce some new knowledge. This, in principle, can take three main forms: Exploratory research: a new problem can be structured and identified Constructive research: a (new) solution to a problem can be developed Empirical research: empirical evidence on the feasibility of an existing solution to a problem can be provided

Research methods used by scholars: Action research Case study Classification Experience and intuition Experiments Interviews Map making Mathematical models and simulations Participant observation Physical traces analysis Semiotics Statistical data analysis Statistical surveys Content or Textual Analysis

Research is often conducted using the hourglass model (Trochim, W.M.K, 2005). The hourglass model starts with a broad spectrum for research, focusing in on the required information through the methodology of the project (like the neck of the hourglass), then expands the research in the form of discussion and results Research process Main article: scientific method Generally, research is understood to follow a certain structural process. Though step order may vary depending on the subject matter and researcher, the following steps are usually part of most formal research, both basic and applied: Formation of the topic Hypothesis Conceptual definitions Operational definitions Gathering of data Analysis of data Conclusion, revising of hypothesis

A common misunderstanding is that by this method a hypothesis can be proven. Instead, by these methods no hypothesis can be proven, rather a hypothesis may only be disproven. A hypothesis can survive several rounds of scientific testing and be widely thought of as true (or better, predictive), but this is not the same as it having been proven. It would be better to say that the hypothesis has yet to be disproven. A useful hypothesis allows prediction and within the accuracy of observation of the time, the prediction will be verified. As the accuracy of observation improves with time, the hypothesis may no longer provide an accurate prediction. In this case a new hypothesis will arise to challenge the old, and to the extent that the new hypothesis makes more accurate predictions than the old, will supplant it. Publishing Academic publishing describes a system that is necessary in order for academic scholars to peer review the work and make it available for a wider audience. The 'system', which is probably disorganized enough not to merit the title, varies widely by field, and is also always changing, if often slowly. Most academic work is published in journal article or book form. In publishing, STM publishing is an abbreviation for academic publications in science, technology, and medicine.

Most established academic fields have their own journals and other outlets for publication, though many academic journals are somewhat interdisciplinary, and publish work from several distinct fields or subfields. The kinds of publications that are accepted as contributions of knowledge or research vary greatly between fields. Academic publishing is undergoing major changes, emerging from the transition from the print to the electronic format. Business models are different in the electronic environment. Since about the early 1990s, licensing of electronic resources, particularly journals, was very common. Presently, a major trend, particularly with respect to scholarly journals, is open access. There are two main forms of open access: open access publishing, in which the articles or the whole journal is freely available from the time of publication, and self-archiving, where the author makes a copy of their own work freely available on the web. Research funding Main article: Research funding Most funding for scientific research comes from two major sources, corporations (through research and development departments) and government (primarily through universities and in some cases through military contractors). Many senior researchers (such as group leaders) spend more than a trivial amount of their time applying for grants for research funds. These grants are necessary not only for researchers to carry out their research, but also as a source of merit. Some faculty positions require that the holder has received grants from certain institutions, such as the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). Governmentsponsored grants (e.g. from the NIH, the National Health Service in Britain or any of the European research councils) generally have a high status.

Feasibility Study Guide Whats a feasibility study? To answer that question, you need to know what the word "feasibility" means. Have you ever considered making a major purchase, for example, a brand new car, a house, a computer, even a new wardrobe? When you think about making a major purchase, what do you do? You ask yourself several questions, for example: What kind do I want? What features do I want? How will I know itll do what I want it to do for me? What will it cost? What are the maintenance requirements and how much will they cost? What are the short-term and long-term implications for the rest of the household budget? Can I buy now or do I have to wait awhile? If I have to wait, for how long? If I cant buy what I want, what could I substitute, and am I willing to do that?

Youre asking yourself, IS IT FEASIBLE for me to make this purchase? Youre doing a mini-feasibility study! When businesses, agencies, communities, or other entities conduct feasibility studies, they usually do it because of some perceived need or desire. They want to make some sort of change, add some sort of facility, equipment, process, system, personnel, or service that will increase their capacity in some way or another. They have to study the issue theyve identified; come up with alternatives; weigh and balance the possibilities, advantages, and disadvantages; reach reasonable conclusions based on all the evidence (both for and against what they think they want); and make recommendations for taking action. The feasibility study is that process. The feasibility report is the documentation of that process. The report shows the reader (usually someone who has asked for the study to be done) what the issue is, how it was researched, what the findings of the research are, what alternatives (possible solutions) are available and which one or ones are feasible (possible) and why, and what the overall recommendations are as a result of the study process.

The report must be organized and presented visually in such a way as to support the point of the study and make clear what has been done. It needs to look professional and be crisp, clean, and clear. Why Prepare Feasibility Studies? Developing any new business venture is difficult. Taking a project from the initial idea through the operational stage is a complex and time-consuming effort. Most ideas, whether from a cooperative or an investor owned business, do not develop into business operations. If these ideas make it to the operational stage, most fail within the first 6 months. Before the potential members invest in a proposed business project, they must determine if it can be economically viable and then decide if investment advantages outweigh the risks involved. Many cooperative business projects are quite expensive to conduct. The projects involve operations that differ from those of the members individual business. Often, cooperative businesses operations involve risks with which the members are unfamiliar. The study allows groups to preview potential project outcomes and to decide if they should continue. Although the costs of conducting a study may seem high, they are relatively minor when compared with the total project cost. The small initial expenditure on a feasibility study can help to protect larger capital investments later. Feasibility studies are useful and valid for many kinds of projects. Evaluation of a new business venture, both from new groups and established businesses, is the most common, but not the only usage. Studies can help groups decide to expand existing services, build or remodel facilities, change methods of operation, add new products, or even merge with another business. A feasibility study assists decision makers whenever they need to consider alternative development opportunities. Feasibility studies permit planners to outline their ideas on paper before implementing them. This can reveal errors in project design before their implementation negatively affects the project. Applying the lessons gained from a feasibility study can significantly lower the project costs. The study presents the risks and returns associated with the project so the prospective members can evaluate them. There is no "magic number" or correct rate of return a project needs to obtain before a group decides to proceed. The acceptable level of return and appropriate risk rate will vary for individual members depending on their personal situation. Cooperatives serve the needs and enhance the economic returns of their members, and not outside investors, so the appropriate economic rate of return for a cooperative project may be lower than those required by projects of investor-owned firms. Potential members should evaluate the returns of a cooperative project to see how it would affect the returns of all of their business operations. The proposed project usually requires both risk capital from members and debt capital from banks and other financiers to become operational. Lenders typically require an objective evaluation of a project prior to investing. A feasibility study conducted by someone without a vested interest in the project outcome can provide this assessment. What Is a Feasibility Study? This analytical tool used during the project planning process shows how a business would operate under a set of assumptions the technology used (the facilities, equipment, production process, etc.) and the financial aspects (capital needs, volume, cost of goods, wages etc.). The study is the first time in a project development process that the pieces are assembled to see if they perform together to create a technically and economically feasible concept. The study also shows the sensitivity of the business to changes in these basic assumptions. Feasibility studies contain standard technical and financial components. The exact appearance of each study varies. This depends on the industry studied, the critical factors for that project, the methods chosen to conduct the study, and the budget. Emphasis can be placed on various sections of an individual feasibility study depending upon the needs of the group for whom the study was prepared. Most studies have multiple potential uses, so they must be designed to serve everyones needs. The feasibility study evaluates the projects potential for success. The perceived objectivity of the evaluation is an important factor in the credibility placed on the study by potential investors and financiers. Also, the creation of the study requires a strong background both in the financial and technical aspects of the project. For these reasons, outside consultants conduct most studies. Feasibility studies for a cooperative are similar to those for other businesses, with one exception. Cooperative members use it to be successful in enhancing their personal businesses, so a study conducted for a cooperative must address how the project will impact members as individuals in addition to how it will affect the cooperative as a whole.

Feasibility Study Background Questions Is the project needed? What is the product or service? What is the essence of the project? (There can be more than one. Each should be clearly defined.) What is the group's comparative advantage? What is the market demanding and what do producers do well? How will the project benefit the members? Have the potential members determined the need or are others promoting it? What is the potential membership base and volume of product for the project? (This is normally supported with a member survey.) What is the support by producers, community, and potential lenders? What is the number and size of producers who are willing to participate? What volume of product will be included in the project? What future expansion of both membership and volume is possible? What is the competitive outlook? What will prices be for both inputs and outputs? What is the anticipated volume of sales? What is the size of the market? Who are the major competitors? What are their market shares, facilities, and business structures? Will the group use strategic alliances to accomplish its goals? What are the organizational needs for the project? What are the capital needs and possible sources of this capital? How much money is needed? What are the budgeting and financial needs? What are possible sources for financing? What are the legal requirements? What documents or agreements are needed? What permits and inspections will the project require? What facilities are needed? Will the group purchase, build, or lease the facilities? What are management requirements? What skills will the cooperative require of a management team? What will this management cost? Can producers pay enough to attract good personnel? Feasibility Study Report This report defines the project under development. It presents a series of assumptions on the design of the technical, financial, and operational aspects of the project and supports them with figures and tables. It also includes the financial statements to project income and expenses. The appearance of the report will change depending on the project, the group, and the consultant who prepares the study. The document should describe project efforts to date and why it should be continued. The report should answer the following questions about the project: where is it now? who will assist them? where does the group want to go? when will this be completed? why do they want this? how much will this cost? and how will they accomplish this? what are the risks? what resources are needed? There is no required length for a study report, but it should follow a simple format while still including the information required helping the group reach a decision. The primary points should be presented with supporting documentation in the appendices. Differing industries or projects have differing needs. The design of each study should serve the needs of the group or other clients. Although the study appearance may vary, all reports require particular elements if they are to be considered a complete feasibility study. They should present a "holistic" view of the entire project. While specific project details may be undecided, a projects potential for success or failure must be included. All studies must start with certain assumptions. The closer they are to reality, the more valuable the study. If assumptions are overly optimistic or simplistic, members and investors may not value the results. A feasibility study should distinguish clearly between the hard facts and the assumptions. The sources for the facts and the rationale for key assumptions should be noted in a study appendix. A feasibility study should present the environment where the project will occur and describe its scope. The description should include the need for the project and how the group can accomplish the goals. The scope

should include the key elements of all aspects of the project. Potential reaction by competitors should be included in the study. Key elements will change depending on the nature of each project. As a rule of thumb, if reasonable changes in a factor could make the project change from successful to unsuccessful, it is a key element. Examples could be the technology of production, volume of inputs, the market for goods sold, marketing channel, personnel cost, prices paid, and capital costs. A feasibility study should vary the possible results with changes in key elements of the project. This controlled variation, called scenario analysis, permits planners to view which project elements are the most susceptible to positive and negative changes. This analysis also shows the impact on results of changes in the assumptions. The study should always include the rationale for scenario selection. Both "worst-case" possibilities and optimistic scenarios should be compared. Comparative results from scenarios are often presented in tables. A feasibility study report should indicate if the project design is technically possible. It should also show that the desired technologies could work in coordination. In projects with unproven technologies, this can be the most important aspect of a study. In projects with proven technologies, the study can serve to correct design flaws before costly mistakes are implemented. Possible economic outcomes should be a prominent part of a feasibility study. Variation in these elements should be included in the scenario analysis. Operating costs and net revenues are factors that show if the project is economically viable. The study should contain pro-forma balance sheets, operating statements, benefit-cost ratios, projected cash flows, and internal rates of return for the project. These are normally based on a 3-year projection. The study should include possible project risks for potential members and other investors; project technology; potential legal and governmental setbacks; management and labor resources; and timecritical factors. Most importantly, the feasibility study should enable members to make constructive, informed decisions on whether to proceed with, revise, or abandon the project. Feasibility Study Limitations Although the feasibility study is a useful tool for project deliberation, it has limitations. There are several purposes for which a study cannot or should not be applied. A study should be conducted to evaluate specific projects. Simulations or projection models, although useful, do not replace a specific feasibility study of a project. The study should not only consist of generic market information but also should be tailored for the specific project. A feasibility study is not an academic or research paper. A completed study should permit a group to make better decisions about the strategic issues of its specific project. The study is not a business plan that is developed later in the project development process and functions as a blueprint for the groups business operations. The plan presents the group's intended responses to the critical issues raised in the study. The results form the basis for developing a business plan. A study is not intended to identify new ideas or concepts for a project. These ideas should be clearly identified before a study is initiated. The group needs to accomplish a number of steps before a feasibility study is instituted. The closer the assumptions lie to the "real world," the more value a study will hold for the group. A study should not be conducted as a forum merely to support a desire that the project will be successful. Rather, it should be an objective evaluation of the project's chance for success. Studies with both positive and negative conclusions can assist a groups decisions. Financiers may require a feasibility study before providing loans, but this should not be the studys only purpose. It should enhance a banker's ability to evaluate a project. The primary goal should be to aid the group's decisions, not to secure financing. A study will not determine if it is advisable to initiate a project. The potential members have to decide if the economic returns justify the risks involved in their continuing the project. The study results should assist them. A study analyzes basic project assumptions, shows how results vary when assumptions change, and provides guidance as to critical elements of a project. Conducting a study should provide the group with project-specific information and assist it in making decisions. This should lower the risks in continuing a project. How To Review the Study Outside financiers will often perceive the reliability of the entire study based on its least accurate piece. An otherwise well-conducted feasibility study could be viewed as inaccurate or useless because of a simple mistake. To prevent this, the feasibility study should be carefully examined for overall clarity and logical

consistencyis the language appropriate; is the document well organized; and can someone who is not familiar with the project understand the study? Reviewers should confirm and explain the study assumptions. The feasibility report documents project efforts. It serves as the written representation of the study. It outlines relevant conclusions from the study. Potential members, financiers, and others will use this document to help determine their support for the project. The reports appearance as well as its content can influence peoples perception of it. The layout should be professional, well organized, and include a table of contents, page numbers, and references.

A feasibility study is a preliminary study undertaken before the real work of a project starts to ascertain the likelihood of the project's success. It is an analysis of all possible solutions to a problem and a recommendation on the best solution to use. It involves evaluating how the solution will fit into the corporation. It, for example, can decide whether an order processing be carried out by a new system more efficiently than the previous one. A feasibility study could be used to test a new working system, which could be used because: The current system may no longer suit its purpose, Technological Advancement may have rendered the current system redundant, The business is expanding, allowing it to cope with extra work load, Customers are complaining about the speed and quality of work the business provides, Competitors are winning greater market shares due to an effective integration of a computerised system.

Although few businesses would not benefit from a computerized system at all, the process of carrying out this feasibility study makes the purchaser/client think carefully about how it is going to be used Feasibility viewpoints A system's feasibility is typically considered from economic, technical, schedule and organisational viewpoints. Economic Feasibilty This involves questions such as whether the firm can afford to build the system, whether its benefits should substantially exceed its costs, and whether the project has higher priority than other projects that might use the same resources. Technical Feasibility This involves questions such as whether the technology needed for the system exists, how difficult it will be to build, and whether the firm has enough experience using that technology. Schedule Feasibility This involves questions such as how much time is available to build the new system, when it can be built (i.e. during holidays), interference with normal business operation, etc. Organisational Feasibility This involves questions such as whether the system has enough support to be implemented successfully, whether it brings an excessive amount of change, and whether the organisation is changing too rapidly to absorb it.

I. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES The OBJECTIVES of a research project summarise what is to be achieved by the study. Objectives should be closely related to the statement of the problem. For example, if the problem identified is low utilisation of child welfare clinics, the general objective of the study could be to identify the reasons for this low utilisation, in order to find solutions. The general objective of a study states what researchers expect to achieve by the study in general terms. It is possible (and advisable) to break down a general objective into smaller, logically connected parts. These are normally referred to as specific objectives. Specific objectives should systematically address the various aspects of the problem as defined under Statement of the Problem (Module 4) and the key factors that are assumed to influence or cause the problem. They should specify what you will do in your study, where and for what purpose. A study into the cost and quality of home-based care for HIV/AIDS patients and their communities in Zimbabwe, developed at an HSR workshop, for example, had as its general objective: To explore to what extent community home-based care (CHBC) projects in Zimbabwe provide adequate, affordable and sustainable care of good quality to people with HIV/AIDS, and to identify ways in which these services can be improved. It was split up in the following specific objectives: 1. To identify the full range of economic, psychosocial, health/nursing care and other needs of patients and their families affected by AIDS. 2. To determine the extent to which formal and informal support systems address these needs from the viewpoint of service providers as well as patients. 3. To determine the economic costs of CHBC to the patient and family as well as to the formal CHBC programmes themselves. 4. To relate the calculated costs to the quality of care provided to the patient by the family and to the family/patient by the CHBC programme. 5. To determine how improved CHBC and informal support networks can contribute to the needs of persons with AIDS and other chronically and terminally ill patients. 6. To use the findings to make recommendations on the improvement of CHBC to home care providers, donors and other concerned organisations, including government. The first specific objective usually focuses on quantifying or specifying the problem. This is necessary in many studies, especially when a problem has been defined (but not quantified) for which subsequently the major causes have to be identified. Often use can be made of available statistics or of the health information system. In the study on the high defaulter rate of TB patients, this rate should first be established, using the records, and only then would the contributing factors to defaulting be analysed. In the example given, the needs of AIDS patients and their relatives for care and support have been defined in the first objective. The objectives which follow concentrate on adequacy, cost and quality of care provided whereas the last two objectives specify possible improvements with respect to CHBC, and to whom the results and recommendations of the study will be fed back. Note: It may be helpful to use the diagram as a point of departure and check whether the problem and all major, directly contributing factors (analytic study) or major components (descriptive or evaluation

study) have been covered by the objectives. An objective indicating how the results will be used should be included in every operational study, either as part of the general objective or as a specific objective. Why should research objectives be developed? The formulation of objectives will help you to: Focus the study (narrowing it down to essentials); Avoid the collection of data which are not strictly necessary for understanding and solving the problem you have identified; and Organise the study in clearly defined parts or phases.

Properly formulated, specific objectives will facilitate the development of your research methodology and will help to orient the collection, analysis, interpretation and utilisation of data. How should you state your objectives? Take care that the objectives of your study: Cover the different aspects of the problem and its contributing factors in a coherent way and in a logical sequence; Are clearly phrased in operational terms, specifying exactly what you are going to do, where, and for what purpose; Are realistic considering local conditions; and Use action verbs that are specific enough to be evaluated. Examples of action verbs are: to determine, to compare, to verify, to calculate, to describe, and to establish. Avoid the use of vague non-action verbs such as: to appreciate, to understand, or to study. Keep in mind that when the project is evaluated, the results will be compared to the objectives. If the objectives have not been spelled out clearly, the project cannot be evaluated. Using the previous example on cost and quality of CHBC, we may develop more specific research questions for the different objectives, such as: Do rural and urban CHBC projects differ with respect to the adequacy, quality, affordability and sustainability of HBC provided? How satisfied are AIDS patients, relatives and service providers with the care provided? Are there differences in perceptions between those groups? Is the stigma attached to being HIV+ the same strong for women as for men? Or are there gender differences in stigma? What impact does the care provided to AIDS patients have on the economy of the homestead? Is there competition with other basic needs (e.g. schooling of children, purchases of food)?

II. HYPOTHESES Based on your experience with the study problem, it might be possible to develop explanations for the problem, which can then be tested. If so, you can formulate hypotheses in addition to the study objectives. A HYPOTHESIS is a prediction of a relationship between one or more factors and the problem under study that can be tested.

In our example concerning the cost and quality of HBC in Zimbabwe it would have been possible to formulate and test the following hypotheses: 1. The role of first-line relatives in the provision of care to AIDS patients is more substantial in rural than in urban areas. 2. The silence and stigma surrounding AIDS makes the formation of self-help groups of AIDS patients and their relatives next to impossible, which in turn maintains the high level of stigma on HIV/AIDS. Note: Policy makers and field staff usually feel the need for research because they do NOT have enough insight into the causes of a certain problem. Therefore, most HSR proposals present the specific objectives in the form of open statements (as given in the examples earlier) instead of focusing the study on a limited number of hypotheses. III. TITLE OF THE STUDY Now you can finalise the title of your study. The title should be in line with your general objective. Make sure that it is specific enough to tell the reader what your study is about and where it will be calculated. NOT: A study on community home-based care

BUT: A study on cost and quality of community home-based care for HIV/AIDS patients and their communities in Zimbabwe You might also consider fancier titles: Do We Care? A study on cost and quality of CHBC for HIV/AIDS patients in Zimbabwe* Another example could be: WORKSHOPS: Blessings or Burdens? A study of the workshops held in 1999 in Province Y - Their utility and consequences for daily working activities of health staff