Editing Research (section)

== Forms of research ==
=== Original research<!--'Original research' and 'Primary research' redirect here--> ===
{{Redirect|Original research|the Wikipedia prohibition against user-generated, unpublished research|Wikipedia:No original research|selfref=yes}}
'''Original research'''<!--boldface per WP:R#PLA-->, also called '''primary research'''<!--boldface per WP:R#PLA-->, is research that is not exclusively based on a summary, review, or synthesis of earlier publications on the subject of research. This material is of a [[Primary source|primary-source]] character. The purpose of the original research is to produce new [[knowledge]] rather than present the existing knowledge in a new form (e.g., summarized or classified).<ref>{{cite web|title=What is Original Research? Original research is considered a primary source |url=http://www.unf.edu/library/guides/originalresearch.html|publisher=Thomas G. Carpenter Library, University of North Florida|access-date=9 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709085129/http://www.unf.edu/library/guides/originalresearch.html|archive-date=9 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XlIH4R9Z_k8C&pg=PT75|title=Schaum's Quick Guide to Writing Great Research Papers|first=Laurie|last=Rozakis|date=2007|publisher=McGraw Hill Professional|via=Google Books|isbn=978-0071511223}}</ref> Original research can take various forms, depending on the discipline it pertains to. In experimental work, it typically involves direct or indirect observation of the researched subject(s), e.g., in the laboratory or in the field, documents the [[methodology]], results, and conclusions of an experiment or set of experiments, or offers a novel interpretation of previous results. In [[Scientific modelling|analytical]] work, there are typically some new (for example) mathematical results produced or a new way of approaching an existing problem. In some subjects which do not typically carry out experimentation or analysis of this kind, the originality is in the particular way existing understanding is changed or re-interpreted based on the outcome of the work of the [[Academic authorship|researcher]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aare.edu.au/09pap/li091380.pdf |title=Early career researcher originality: Engaging Richard Florida's international competition for creative workers |first=Michael |last=Singh |author2=Li, Bingyi |date=6 October 2009 |publisher=Centre for Educational Research, University of Western Sydney |page=2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110410083715/http://aare.edu.au/09pap/li091380.pdf |archive-date=10 April 2011 |url-status=live |access-date=12 January 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The degree of originality of the research is among the major criteria for articles to be published in [[academic journal]]s and usually established by means of [[peer review]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Callaham |first1=Michael |last2=Wears|first2= Robert|last3=Weber|first3=Ellen L. |title=Journal Prestige, Publication Bias, and Other Characteristics Associated With Citation of Published Studies in Peer-Reviewed Journals |journal=JAMA |volume=287 |issue=21 |pages=2847–50 |year=2002 |doi=10.1001/jama.287.21.2847|pmid=12038930 |doi-access= }}</ref> [[Graduate student]]s are commonly required to perform original research as part of a [[dissertation]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oFFWt5oyA3oC&q=%22original+research%22&pg=PA178|title=Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006–2007 edition|author=US Department of Labor|date=2006|publisher=Mcgraw-hill|via=Google Books|isbn=978-0071472883}}</ref>

=== Scientific research ===
{{Main|Scientific method}}
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[[File:Microscopy lab.jpg|thumb|Primary scientific research being carried out at the Microscopy Laboratory at the [[Idaho National Laboratory]]]]
[[File:Alcator C-Mod.jpg|thumb|Scientific research equipment at [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]]]]
[[File:RV Sonne 2014 1.jpg|thumb|The German maritime [[research vessel]] [[RV Sonne (2014)|''Sonne'']]]]
[[Scientific research]] is a systematic way of gathering data and harnessing [[curiosity]].{{citation needed|date=March 2024}} This research provides [[science|scientific]] information and theories for the explanation of [[Nature (philosophy)|the nature]] and [[Property (philosophy)|the properties]] of the world. It makes practical applications possible. Scientific research may be funded by public authorities, charitable organizations, and private organizations. Scientific research can be subdivided by [[Academic discipline|discipline]].

Generally, research is understood to follow a certain structural [[Process (science)|process]]. Though the order may vary depending on the subject matter and researcher, the following steps are usually part of most formal research, both basic and applied:
# [[Scientific method#Elements of the scientific method|Observations and formation of the topic]]: Consists of the subject area of one's interest and following that subject area to conduct subject-related research. The subject area should not be randomly chosen since it requires reading a vast amount of literature on the topic to determine the gap in the literature the researcher intends to narrow. A keen interest in the chosen subject area is advisable. The research will have to be justified by linking its importance to already existing knowledge about the topic.
# [[Hypothesis]]: A testable prediction which designates the relationship between two or more variables.
# [[Conceptual definition]]: Description of a concept by relating it to other concepts.
# [[Operational definition]]: Details in regards to defining the variables and how they will be measured/assessed in the study.
# [[Data collection|Gathering of data]]: Consists of identifying a population and selecting samples, gathering information from or about these samples by using specific research instruments. The instruments used for data collection must be valid and reliable.
# [[Data analysis|Analysis of data]]: Involves breaking down the individual pieces of data to draw conclusions about it.
# [[Data Interpretation]]: This can be represented through tables, figures, and pictures, and then described in words.
# [[Scientific method#Evaluation and improvement|Test, revising of hypothesis]]
# [[Scientific method#Elements of the scientific method|Conclusion, reiteration if necessary]]

A common misconception is that a hypothesis will be proven (see, rather, [[null hypothesis]]). Generally, a hypothesis is used to make predictions that can be tested by observing the outcome of an experiment. If the outcome is inconsistent with the hypothesis, then the hypothesis is rejected (see [[falsifiability]]). However, if the outcome is consistent with the hypothesis, the experiment is said to support the hypothesis. This careful language is used because researchers recognize that alternative hypotheses may also be consistent with the observations. In this sense, a hypothesis can never be proven, but rather only supported by surviving rounds of scientific testing and, eventually, becoming widely thought of as true.

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, the new will supplant it. Researchers can also use a null hypothesis, which states no relationship or difference between the independent or dependent variables.

=== Research in the humanities ===
Research in the humanities involves different methods such as for example [[hermeneutics]] and [[semiotics]]. Humanities scholars usually do not search for the ultimate correct answer to a question, but instead, explore the issues and details that surround it. Context is always important, and context can be social, historical, political, cultural, or ethnic. An example of research in the humanities is historical research, which is embodied in [[historical method]]. Historians use [[primary sources]] and other [[evidence]] to systematically investigate a topic, and then to write histories in the form of accounts of the past. Other studies aim to merely examine the occurrence of behaviours in societies and communities, without particularly looking for reasons or motivations to explain these. These studies may be qualitative or quantitative, and can use a variety of approaches, such as queer theory or feminist theory.<ref name="Roffee 4–22">{{Cite journal|last1=Roffee|first1=James A|last2=Waling|first2=Andrea|date=18 August 2016|title=Resolving ethical challenges when researching with minority and vulnerable populations: LGBTIQ victims of violence, harassment and bullying|journal=Research Ethics|language=en|volume=13|issue=1|pages=4–22|doi=10.1177/1747016116658693|doi-access=free}}</ref>

=== Artistic research<!--'Artistic research' redirects here--> ===
'''Artistic research'''<!--boldface per WP:R#PLA-->, also seen as 'practice-based research', can take form when creative works are considered both the research and the object of research itself. It is the debatable body of thought which offers an alternative to purely scientific methods in research in its search for knowledge and truth.

The controversial trend of artistic teaching becoming more academics-oriented is leading to artistic research being accepted as the primary mode of enquiry in art as in the case of other disciplines.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lesage |first1=Dieter |date=Spring 2009 |title=Who's Afraid of Artistic Research? On measuring artistic research output |journal=Art & Research |volume=2 |issue=2 |url=http://www.artandresearch.org.uk/v2n2/pdfs/lesage.pdf |issn=1752-6388 |access-date=14 August 2011 |archive-date=5 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005085443/http://www.artandresearch.org.uk/v2n2/pdfs/lesage.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> One of the characteristics of artistic research is that it must accept [[subjectivity]] as opposed to the classical scientific methods. As such, it is similar to the [[social science]]s in using [[qualitative research]] and [[intersubjectivity]] as tools to apply measurement and critical analysis.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1 = Eisner | first1 = E. W. |title = On the Differences between Scientific and Artistic Approaches to Qualitative Research |journal = Educational Researcher |volume = 10 |issue = 4 |pages = 5–9 |year = 1981| jstor = 1175121 }}</ref>

Artistic research has been defined by the [[School of Dance and Circus]] (Dans och Cirkushögskolan, DOCH), [[Stockholm]] in the following manner – "Artistic research is to investigate and test with the purpose of gaining knowledge within and for our artistic disciplines. It is based on artistic practices, methods, and criticality. Through presented documentation, the insights gained shall be placed in a context."<ref name="DOCH">{{cite web |url=http://www.doch.se/web/Artistic_Research.aspx |title=Artistic research at DOCH |author=Unattributed |website=Dans och Cirkushögskolan (website) |access-date=14 August 2011 |archive-date=5 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105125920/http://www.doch.se/web/Artistic_Research.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> Artistic research aims to enhance knowledge and understanding with presentation of the arts.<ref>Schwab, M. (2009). "Draft Proposal". ''Journal for Artistic Research''. Bern University of the Arts.</ref> A simpler understanding by [[Julian Klein]] defines artistic research as any kind of research employing the artistic mode of perception.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jar-online.net/what-artistic-research/ |title=What is artistic research? |author=Julian Klein |date=2010 |access-date=15 June 2021 |archive-date=13 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513033206/https://jar-online.net/what-artistic-research |url-status=live }}</ref> For a survey of the central problematics of today's artistic research, see [[Giaco Schiesser]].<ref>Schiesser, G. (2015). What is at stake – Qu'est ce que l'enjeu? Paradoxes – Problematics – Perspectives in Artistic Research Today, in: Arts, Research, Innovation and Society. Eds. Gerald Bast, [[Elias G. Carayannis]] [= ARIS, Vol. 1]. Wien/New York: Springer. pp. 197–210.</ref>

According to artist [[Hakan Topal]], in artistic research, "perhaps more so than other disciplines, intuition is utilized as a method to identify a wide range of new and unexpected productive modalities".<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.newmuseum.org/blog/view/whose-terms-a-glossary-for-social-practice-research|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909042922/http://www.newmuseum.org/blog/view/whose-terms-a-glossary-for-social-practice-research| url-status=live|archive-date=2014-09-09|title=Whose Terms? A Glossary for Social Practice: Research|author=Topal, H. |date=2014|website=newmuseum.org}}</ref> Most writers, whether of fiction or non-fiction books, also have to do research to support their creative work. This may be factual, historical, or background research. Background research could include, for example, geographical or procedural research.<ref>Hoffman, A. (2003). ''Research for Writers'', pp. 4–5. London: A&C Black Publishers Limited.</ref>

The [[Society for Artistic Research]] (SAR) publishes the triannual ''Journal for Artistic Research'' (''JAR''),<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.swtr.ch/images/stories/pdf/en/kunstbericht_e.pdf| title = Swiss Science and Technology Research Council (2011), ''Research Funding in the Arts''}}{{Dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>[[Henk Borgdorff]] (2012), ''The Conflict of the Faculties. Perspectives on Artistic Research and Academia'' (Chapter 11: The Case of the Journal for Artistic Research), Leiden: Leiden University Press.</ref> an international, online, [[open access]], and [[peer-review]]ed [[Academic journal|journal]] for the identification, publication, and [[dissemination]] of artistic research and its methodologies, from all arts disciplines and it runs the ''Research Catalogue'' (RC),<ref>Schwab, Michael, and Borgdorff, Henk, eds. (2014), ''The Exposition of Artistic Research: Publishing Art in Academia'', Leiden: Leiden University Press.</ref><ref>Wilson, Nick and van Ruiten, Schelte / ELIA, eds. (2013), ''SHARE Handbook for Artistic Research Education'', Amsterdam: Valand Academy, p. 249.</ref><ref>Hughes, Rolf: "Leap into Another Kind: International Developments in Artistic Research", in Swedish Research Council, ed. (2013), ''Artistic Research Then and Now: 2004–2013, Yearbook of AR&D 2013'', Stockholm: Swedish Research Council.</ref> a searchable, documentary [[database]] of artistic research, to which anyone can contribute.

Patricia Leavy addresses eight arts-based research (ABR) genres: narrative inquiry, fiction-based research, poetry, music, dance, theatre, film, and visual art.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Methods Meets Art|last=Leavy|first=Patricia| publisher=Guilford|year=2015|isbn=978-1462519446|edition=2nd|location=New York}}</ref>

In 2016, the [[European League of Institutes of the Arts]] launched ''The Florence Principles' on the Doctorate in the Arts''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rahmat |first=Omarkhil |title=Florence principles, 2016 |url=http://www.elia-artschools.org/userfiles/File/customfiles/1-the-florence-principles20161124105336_20161202112511.pdf |access-date=23 December 2016 |archive-date=21 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221161920/http://www.elia-artschools.org/userfiles/File/customfiles/1-the-florence-principles20161124105336_20161202112511.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Florence Principles relating to the Salzburg Principles and the Salzburg Recommendations of the [[European University Association]] name seven points of attention to specify the Doctorate / PhD in the Arts compared to a scientific doctorate / PhD. The Florence Principles have been endorsed and are supported also by [[European Association of Conservatoires|AEC]], [[CILECT]], CUMULUS and [[Society for Artistic Research|SAR]].

=== Historical research ===
{{Main|Historical method}}
[[File:Jebens, Adolf - Leopold von Ranke (detail) - 1875.jpg|thumb|[[Leopold von Ranke]] (1795–1886), a [[Germans|German]] historian and a founder of modern source-based history]]
The [[historical method]] comprises the techniques and guidelines by which historians use historical sources and other evidence to research and then to write history. There are various history guidelines that are commonly used by historians in their work, under the headings of external criticism, internal criticism, and synthesis. This includes [[lower criticism]] and sensual criticism. Though items may vary depending on the subject matter and researcher, the following concepts are part of most formal historical research:<ref name="Garraghan (1946)">{{cite book |title=A Guide to Historical Method |last=Garraghan |first=Gilbert J. |year=1946 |publisher=Fordham University Press |location=New York |isbn=978-0-8371-7132-6 |page=[https://archive.org/details/guidetohistorica0000garr_e1h2/page/168 168] |url=https://archive.org/details/guidetohistorica0000garr_e1h2|url-access=limited }}</ref>
* [[Identification (information)|Identification]] of origin date
* [[Evidence]] of localization
* [[Recognition (sociology)|Recognition]] of authorship
* [[Analysis]] of data
* Identification of [[integrity]]
* Attribution of [[credibility]]

===Documentary research===
{{main|Documentary research}}