What is academic research?

Academic research is the cornerstone of higher education, equipping researchers with the skills to:

  • Ask Meaningful Questions: Identify gaps in knowledge and formulate research questions that drive inquiry.
  • Conduct Rigorous Investigations: Employ various research methods like experiments, surveys, or historical analysis to gather data.
  • Analyze and Interpret Findings: Critically evaluate data, draw conclusions, and contribute to existing knowledge.
  • Communicate Discoveries: Effectively disseminate research findings through academic journals, presentations, or books.

What are the main features of academic research?

  • Systematic Inquiry: It follows a structured approach, ensuring research is objective, rigorous, and replicable.
  • Critical Thinking: Researchers critically analyze information, challenge assumptions, and evaluate evidence to reach sound conclusions.
  • Originality: Academic research aims to contribute new knowledge or fresh perspectives to existing fields.

What are important sub-areas in academic research?

  • Natural Sciences: Research in physics, chemistry, biology, etc., explores phenomena in the natural world.
  • Social Sciences: Research in psychology, sociology, anthropology, etc., investigates human behavior and societies.
  • Humanities: Research in literature, history, philosophy, etc., explores human culture, history, and ideas.

What are key concepts in academic research?

  • Research Question: The specific question guiding the research investigation.
  • Methodology: The chosen methods to gather and analyze data (e.g., surveys, experiments, historical analysis).
  • Data: The information collected through research methods.
  • Analysis: The process of critically evaluating and interpreting data to draw conclusions.
  • Validity: The extent to which research findings accurately reflect reality.
  • Reliability: The degree to which research can be replicated with similar results.

Who are influential figures in academic research?

  • Francis Bacon: Pioneered the scientific method, emphasizing observation and experimentation.
  • Karl Popper: Emphasized the importance of falsifiability (ability to disprove a theory) in scientific research.
  • Marie Curie: A role model for female researchers, her dedication to scientific inquiry led to groundbreaking discoveries.

Why is academic research important?

  • Advances Knowledge: It's the engine that drives progress in all fields, pushing the boundaries of human understanding.
  • Solves Problems: Research informs solutions to real-world challenges in healthcare, technology, sustainability, and more.
  • Informs Policy: Research findings can guide policymakers in developing effective policies and interventions.
  • Fuels Innovation: Research sparks creative thinking and innovation, leading to new technologies and advancements.

How is academic research applied in practice?

  • Developing New Drugs and Treatments: Medical research leads to new medications and therapies for various diseases.
  • Understanding Climate Change: Research helps us understand the causes and effects of climate change, informing mitigation strategies.
  • Enhancing Education: Educational research helps us develop better teaching methods and learning materials.
  • Preserving Cultural Heritage: Research in archaeology, history, and anthropology helps us understand and preserve our past.
  • Developing New Technologies: Research in engineering, computer science, and other fields leads to new technologies that improve our lives.

Image

Access: 
Public

Image

This content refers to .....
Statistics: summaries and study assistance - Theme
Join WorldSupporter!
Search a summary

Image

 

 

Contributions: posts

Help other WorldSupporters with additions, improvements and tips

Add new contribution

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.

Image

Spotlight: topics

Check the related and most recent topics and summaries:
Activity abroad, study field of working area:

Image

Check how to use summaries on WorldSupporter.org

Online access to all summaries, study notes en practice exams

How and why use WorldSupporter.org for your summaries and study assistance?

  • For free use of many of the summaries and study aids provided or collected by your fellow students.
  • For free use of many of the lecture and study group notes, exam questions and practice questions.
  • For use of all exclusive summaries and study assistance for those who are member with JoHo WorldSupporter with online access
  • For compiling your own materials and contributions with relevant study help
  • For sharing and finding relevant and interesting summaries, documents, notes, blogs, tips, videos, discussions, activities, recipes, side jobs and more.

Using and finding summaries, notes and practice exams on JoHo WorldSupporter

There are several ways to navigate the large amount of summaries, study notes en practice exams on JoHo WorldSupporter.

  1. Use the summaries home pages for your study or field of study
  2. Use the check and search pages for summaries and study aids by field of study, subject or faculty
  3. Use and follow your (study) organization
    • by using your own student organization as a starting point, and continuing to follow it, easily discover which study materials are relevant to you
    • this option is only available through partner organizations
  4. Check or follow authors or other WorldSupporters
  5. Use the menu above each page to go to the main theme pages for summaries
    • Theme pages can be found for international studies as well as Dutch studies

Do you want to share your summaries with JoHo WorldSupporter and its visitors?

Quicklinks to fields of study for summaries and study assistance

Main summaries home pages:

Main study fields:

Main study fields NL:

Follow the author: Summaries Supporter
Work for WorldSupporter

Image

JoHo can really use your help!  Check out the various student jobs here that match your studies, improve your competencies, strengthen your CV and contribute to a more tolerant world

Working for JoHo as a student in Leyden

Parttime werken voor JoHo

Statistics
503