Original research
From Wikinfo
Original research is research that is not based exclusively on the review, the summary, or the synthesis of earlier publications on the subject of research. Original research produces new knowledge, in contrast to presenting existing knowledge in new forms, for example, in new arrangements, classifications, or summaries. Insofar as all research builds on new and recurrent observations examined in the light of previously accepted beliefs, originality in research is a matter of degree and not an absolute quality.
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Boundaries of original research
The boundary between original research and Compilation may be blurred. For example, classification may be as non-original as simply putting things in alphabetical order. On the other hand, a new classification may provide further insights into the nature of the subject and lead to predictions and discovery. A classical example is Mendeleev's periodic table of chemical elements. Often this boundary leads to unjust discrimination.
Forms of original research
Original research can take a number of forms, depending on the discipline to which it pertains.
Experimental research
In experimental work, original research typically and involves direct or indirect observation of the researched subject, e.g., in the laboratory or in the field, documents the methodology, results, and conclusions of an experiment or set of experiments, or offers a novel interpretation of previous results.
Analytical research
In analytical work, there are typically some new (for example) mathematical results produced, or a new way of approaching an existing problem. In some subjects which do not typically carry out experimentation or analysis of this kind, the originality is in the particular way existing understanding is changed or re-interpreted based on the outcome of the work of the researcher.
The degree of originality of the research is among major criteria for articles to be published in academic journals and usually established by means of peer review.
See also
External links
- Adapted from the Wikipedia article, "Original_research" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_research, used under the GNU Free Documentation License
