Research is a scientific process that involves observation, creating hypotheses, and gathering information about relationships in the world around you. This information is then analyzed and interpreted. Depending on your field, this information may be collected from plants, animals, people, or inorganic matter. It must be gathered using specific tools that are designed for that purpose and are proven to be accurate. Lastly, this research must be documented and shared in accordance with specific rules that have been set by the academic or professional fields you are investigating.

Research can take many forms, from discovering the structure of a new drug to analyzing customer satisfaction data. Almost every career has some element of research involved; accountants analyze their clients’ financial documents, for example, and market researchers utilize data about a large group of customers to make informed business decisions.

Generally, there are two types of research: empirical and theoretical. Empirical research produces observations that need to be explained, and theoretical research tries to explain those observations. Often, this iterative cycle of research produces discoveries that are both important and useful.

It’s also important to note that any research that uses human beings or animals must follow strict guidelines that are outlined by the U.S. Federal Government to ensure that the humans and animals are treated well and suffer as little harm as possible. These are known as ethical guidelines. Typically, any researcher that uses humans or animals must pay participants for their time.