Research & Being a Researcher


"Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose" (Hurston, 1942, p. 143).

Zora Neale Hurston

I have always found this quote from Hurston to be inspirational. In everyday life, there are several activities one may engage in without thinking of them as research. This research process could be focused on something practical such as finding the best prices for fresh produce or knowing which bus to take to arrive at a particular destination quickly. Comparing prices and using maps can be considered research. "Googling" is a research activity. Internet search engines have allowed us to gain access to a wide variety of information. The quality and accuracy of this information varies widely. This is one reason why it is important to formalize our research process so, that we are not misled or deceived by false information that is readily available. The first step in beginning any research journey is realizing that you are a researcher and the second step is to apply and develop critical thinking skills as you conduct your research. At the beginning of a research journey, you will be reading and analyzing previous research conducted about your topic. This process itself is instructive because you will develop ideas about the debates or differences between researchers who have completed projects about your topic.







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