The Importance of Research

The Canadian Center of Science and Education is an organization that is dedicated to supporting the research of academics around the world. Research is, for all intents and purposes, the primary driver of innovation and achievement. Without the research conducted by academics, many fields (including the sciences and humanities) would not have the ability to move forward. Were research to cease it would stifle discovery.

What Qualifies as Research?

Research is, in the broadest sense of the word, the investigation of a certain issue. For instance, a project may look into the differences in DNA between two animal species. Another good example is the exploration of the representation of women in the fictional works of the sixteenth century. As you can see from these examples, research can cover a broad spectrum of topics.

At its most basic, the act of researching something involves collecting data. This data is then analyzed and a conclusion is drawn. Depending upon the field in which research is taking place, investigators may come up with a hypothesis before they begin their observations. In the scientific community the creation of a hypothesis is expected, whereas conclusions are deduced from the data collected in many of the humanities.

This said, it is easy to see how research is a very broad definition of a diverse collection of activities. In the academic world, it is safe to say that research is the exploration of a certain problem, question, or subject.

Why Is Research So Highly Valued?

When individuals conduct research they often uncover new data. At the very least, they may see a new way to interpret old data. As such, research sheds light on questions and topics that, if it is successful, no other study has pinpointed. This is important because it is this degree of discovery that fuels the progress of the academic fields.

Consider the sciences—biology, in particular. Today’s world has access to many different medicines that combat a plethora of diseases. Yet people are still constantly researching new ways to fight medical conditions. Researchers who are involved in these initiatives may discover that a certain virus reacts in a specific way to a chemical, or that a new strain of bacteria is killed with a particular pharmaceutical.

The same is true for technology. Technological innovation stems from the ability of researchers to discover how to best put new ideas into action. For instance, the research and development teams behind today’s most popular smartphones conducted studies to determine the best configurations for these devices.

Because research is so important, many organizations strive to support the efforts of the individuals who lead exploratory initiatives. Through donations to educational institutions, libraries, and other organizations, these associations can increase the resources that researchers have at their disposal. Given the important nature of these research projects, it is easy to see just how crucial these contributions are. Individuals and organizations that support the academic activities of researchers are encouraged to continue doing so. Additionally, those that are looking for a great way to give back to the community are urged to consider donating to these initiatives.