We are constantly talking about research papers, about carrying out research and so on. But does everybody have a clear idea of what research is. Can somebody give a precise definition of research? For example, one electronic dictionary gives the next definition of research: “Research is a kind of activity based on intellectual investigation and has a purpose of discovering, interpreting, and revising human knowledge on various aspects of life”.
 
This seems to be quite a precise definition of research. However, you can find some others in the other dictionaries. Anyway, it does not really matter, since you will not find a definition of research that would be completely different. Still, research will mean intellectual activity.
 
To continue the topic of definition of research, I would like to tell about two main types of research. They are scientific research and historic research.
 
This kind of research implies the application of the scientific method. Various phenomena are based on theories. In its turn, theory is based on the observations, hypotheses and deductive assumptions. The results of any theory should be supported by the experiments.
 
As you can guess, this kind of research is based on the historic method. This method uses different method systems and the experience of various historic schools in the process of historical research. Historic research may use: comparative method, method of statistics, method of structural analysis and some others.
 
So, keep in mind that when giving a definition of research, you should necessarily say a few words about these two types of research. Without them, your definition of research will be incomplete.
 
When talking about a definition of research, you can mention other kinds of research, according to the goals of the research process. Here such kinds of research are distinguished:

• Exploratory research – identifies and formulates new problems
• Constructive research – seeks the solutions to the problems
• Empirical research – defines the level of practicability of the solutions.

Giving a definition of research can be rather extended, since the research process includes many aspects that should be explained.