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What Is Good Research?

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What is Good Research?
Kelly Thomas
University of the Pacific

What is Good Research?
What is good research? Perhaps the first question that should be pondered is what is research? Without the knowledge of what constitutes research, there is no way of determining what good research is. Research begins with an idea, question, inquiry, or purpose which drives the research project. Research is an inquiry, study, or investigation embarked upon to improve or add to knowledge. Research is also used to investigate and eventually prove or disprove hypotheses. Hostetler gives a good definition of educational research:
The question of what counts as good education research has received a great deal of attention, but too often it is conceived principally as a methodological question rather than an ethical one. Good education research is a matter not only of sound procedures but also of beneficial aims and results; our ultimate aim as researchers and educators is to serve people’s well-being.” (Hostetler, 2010, p. 1)
Good research has a solid appropriate methodology, starts with an objective or hypothesis, attempts to be ethical and unbiased, has a clear procedure and planning, is transparent, and concludes with findings based on the research at hand.
First and foremost, good research must have sound methodology. The research should show clearly if the approach is qualitative or quantitative, or mixed methods. There are many different approaches to collecting data.

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