conceptualising field research

A common characteristics to all types of research is application of scientific method. Research being a process of collecting, organizing, analyzing and interpreting information to answer per-determined questions adhere the established criteria. A good research has to be:

1. Systematic meaning that, any research should be carried out in a well-structured framework with a clear step by step process in attaining the solutions or conclusions. In this case, research starts by defining the research problem followed by review of literature then stating research questions or formulating hypothesis, selecting a research design, selecting the study area, collecting data, organizing data, analyzing data to answer questions or to test hypotheses, and finally writing a report.
2. Logical this means that, any research should be guided by the rules of appropriate organisation and flow of ideas throughout the research process. This is mainly focusing on inductive and deductive reasoning approaches which are compulsory in decision making process.
3. Empirical meaning that a research should basically be related to one or more aspects of a real-life situations or conditions from which data are gathered in achieving valid research results. In other words, conclusions are being drawn based on true evidences collected through life experiences and repeated observations.
4. Replicable this means that research methods and findings of a given study should be stated in such a way that they allow to be verified or tested by other researchers. In this regard, a research is thought to be replicable if independent researcher (s) elsewhere will apply the same methods used by the previous researcher and arrive to the same conclusion made in the previous study.
5. Cumulative knowledge is accumulated as a result of time to time studies, in the sense that new studies should be built over what has already been done on the subject matter of interest. Therefore, new knowledge adds up to the existing one.
6. Theory driven theories are very important in research since they connect researchers with the existing knowledge as they offer a conceptual model from which data are collected. Generally, there is no research without a theory. It may start with theory or end-up generating a new theory.
7. Objectivity means that any research should be strongly related to the research problem and it relies on observations from actual studies which can be either cross-sectional or longitudinal. Similarly, conclusions should be drawn from the available set of evidence with the aim of avoiding bias ness.
8. Generalisability research as a scientific process allows conclusions to be generalised and universal. In the case, generalisation is made from a sample to the population.
9. Clarity scientific research should be precise and with good explanation.
10. Rigorous research should ensure that the methods used in answering the research questions are relevant and justifiable.

The most commonly sources of gaining experience which we are familiar with and are fundamental sources of knowledge. In sharpening comprehension and accept learning through these sources, several approaches are used. Among them are:

1. Empiricism: this is based on our senses. For example, through hearing and seeing we can associate some phenomena like sounds and their sources. Through senses we can compare objects, phenomena or events. Hence, our senses help us to study and understand relationships between various concepts. For example, we can associate changes/variations in temperature with climate change by observing temperature trends for over 30 years.
2. Rationalism: this relies on mental reflections on ideas rather than materials. The logical links between two or more ideas, can lead us into accepting those ideas. For example, we may reason that, appropriate farm management is expected to improve crop yield per piece of land.
3. Fideism: through beliefs, emotions and reactions. We acquire knowledge from religion by believing through the teachings provided by our religious leaders rather than the use of our own senses or need for logical proof.

Normally, research strives to answer questions through the use of scientific procedures. The aim of a researcher is to uncover the hidden or undiscovered knowledge. Though there are varieties of research yet the following research purposes may suffice.

1. to gain familiarity on the researched phenomenon or acquire new insight.
2. to depict accurately the characteristics or nature of a particular individual, situation or a group under the study;
3. to determine the frequency or recurrence of some subjects and
4. to test hypothesis or causal relationship between variables in order to develop theories and criticisms.

Search for new knowledge has resulted into multiplication of researches. The emerged variety of researches can be classified into four main categories; basing on the nature of information sought, utility of content, the research approach employed and objective perspectives.

On the basis of nature of information sought: research can be grouped into two categories namely,

1. qualitative research
2. quantitative research.

Qualitative research is a study which deals with non-numerical data. This is a form of field research which is carried out in a naturalistic setting that mainly generates qualitative data through observations and interviews. Qualitative research aims at describing the characteristics of samples.

Quantitative research is the study which uses numerical data to address behaviour and attitude. It is used when quantitative data are sought It is mainly concerned with making inferences from randomly selected samples to a larger population. However, with time there has been a growing need for integrating both qualitative and quantitative data in order to cross-check the results obtained from the combined methods and this has given rise to mixed methods research. Recently, most of the researchers have found it logical to opt for mixed methods research in answering research questions.

Basing on the utility of content or nature of subject matter, the research streams into two categories

1. basic/fundamental research
2. experimental /applied research

basic/fundamental research the aim of these researches are to find out the basic truth or principles. Normally, the generated findings in this case are universal likewise the utility is universal. These researches are generally guided by theories for example, Newton's law of universal gravitation, Newton's laws of motion, Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity and many more.

experimental /applied research this is concerned with finding new applications of scientific knowledge to solve scientific problems such as development of new system. Normally, the findings from this research has confined utility to the individuals who benefit from them.

With regards to the approach of research applied there are two main categories namely,

1. longitudinal research
2. cross-sectional research.

longitudinal research Longitudinal research deals with studying the same site at varying intervals of time in order to establish change. This is exemplified in historical and case study research.

cross-sectional research. Cross-sectional is concerned with collecting data at one point in time from a predetermined sites and individuals. An example, of cross sectional research is studying child development behaviours using different groups of children with different ages but examining them at one point in time.