Research Process Steps: What Are They and How to Follow Them?

Scientific research plays a critical role in advancing our understanding of the environment and finding solutions to the increasingly complex problems that plague our world today. It requires researchers to identify knowledge gaps and undertake thorough investigations on the issues at hand. Consequently, scientific research calls for a systematic approach to acquiring and assessing new knowledge. However, because each study has its distinct objectives, variables, and potential problems, conducting scientific research can prove to be complex and challenging.  In this article, we will outline the fundamental steps to be followed when conducting research, which will benefit early career researchers.  

Steps to conducting scientific research 

Some basic processes are common to all research studies. These steps help ensure that the research is conducted in a systematic and rigorous manner. 

Defining the research question

All scientific research must begin with a clearly defined research question that the research aims to address. A well-defined research question should be specific, relevant, and focused and must provide a clear direction to the study.  

Conducting a comprehensive literature review

Once the research question has been defined, the next step is to conduct a literature review. This will help researchers understand the current state of knowledge on their topic of research and enable them to identify gaps in the literature. This is crucial as it will allow them to determine the novelty and significance of their proposed research. It will also help researchers to refine their research questions, develop hypotheses, and select appropriate methodologies.  

Designing the research study

Designing the research study will help researchers to narrow down the methodologies to be used in research. A good research design allows researchers to select sampling techniques, data collection instruments, and data analysis methods. The research question, the nature of the data, and the resources available usually guide the choice of the research method. A well-designed methodology ensures the validity, reliability, and replicability of research findings. 

Collecting insights and data

   Once the research design has been finalized, the next step is to collect the data. The data collection phase involves gathering information or observations relevant to the research question. Depending on the research design, data can be collected through surveys, experiments, interviews, observations, or other appropriate methods. Researchers must ensure that data collection is conducted systematically and ethically, following established protocols.  

Interpret and analyze findings

Once the data is collected, the next step will be to interpret and analyze the findings using appropriate statistical or qualitative analysis techniques. This interpretation of research findings is a critical step in the research process as it aims to uncover patterns, relationships, and trends within the collected data, helping to answer the research question and test the proposed hypotheses or research objectives. 

Writing and presenting the research report

Once the research has been completed, it is essential to write a research report that will help researchers communicate their findings to wider audiences. Research reports must be clear, concise, objective, accurate, and well-presented. They must also be written in a simple, transparent way that allows reproducibility.  

Points to keep in mind when conducting scientific research 

Conducting scientific research can be a difficult and time-consuming process. However, it is essential to follow the research process steps mentioned above to ensure the validity and accuracy of the findings. It is also necessary to keep certain critical factors in mind when conducting scientific research. These include- 

• Watch for personal bias: One of the most important things to keep in mind when conducting scientific research is to be objective. This means that researchers must be vigilant and ensure that their personal biases and beliefs do not influence the results of their study.  

• Ensure that research is conducted ethically: Another critical consideration that researchers must focus on is the ethical implications of their research. Researchers must ensure that their work is moral in every way. For example, researchers must obtain informed consent from all participants and ensure that their research does not harm participants. 

• Avoid plagiarism: Early career researchers must understand what constitutes plagiarism in academic writing. Often, they inadvertently commit plagiarism, which could have serious consequences. Plagiarism is viewed as highly unethical in academia and can result in a loss of credibility and reputation for researchers. Therefore, when conducting scientific research, always ensure that your work is original, accurate, and well-presented.  

Following these research process steps and guidelines provided in this article will help early career researchers navigate the intricacies of the research process and maximize the quality of their investigations.